Red Wines of French Origin
France has one of the most venerable wine-making cultures.
French reds are considered some of the most complex wines.
French red varietals and blends make great food wines. This
section offers a basic overview of the major red varietals, blends,
and regional types of French origin
France has one of the most venerable wine-making cultures.
French reds are considered some of the most complex wines.
French red varietals and blends make great food wines. This
section offers a basic overview of the major red varietals, blends,
and regional types of French origin
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Wine knowledge for the wine novice
Bordeaux Blends (Claret)
centuries of French winemaking expertise. Sometimes called "Claret" in
England and the U.S., Bordeaux blends are made up of Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot grapes, with Cabernet
Sauvignon and Merlot usually playing the leads. The other three act as
supporters that round out the end product. Bordeaux-style blends are also
being made in the U.S., sometimes under the rubric, "Meritage."
Cabernet Franc
blends and is a very important component of St-Émilion and Pomerol. Under
the right conditions it can also make good wines on its own, such as some
that come out of the Loire Valley, in France.
Cabernet Sauvignon
just about everywhere, is often sold as a varietal and serves as the anchor
grape in Bordeaux blends. Highly tannic cabernet is considered the ultimate
food wine and pairs well with hearty, spicy meat dishes.
Gamay
has lively acids and but few tannins. Gamay is most often seen in Beaujelais
Nouveaux. It is best drunk young and slightly chilled.
Malbec
Cahors, France, it is used to make full-bodied wines that mature. Gamay is
sometimes called the "black wine of Cahors."
Merlot
one of the most popular, stand-alone varietals. The merlot grape exudes soft
fruit flavors and is highly versatile. The character of merlot depends greatly on
the climate and soil. Merlot from mountain areas are often similar to Cabernets
while those from bottom areas can be more velvety and soft.
Pinot Noir
cultivate. It only grows in certain climates and soils and requires great care.
Pinot Noir's comes from Burgundy and is only grape allowed for Appellation
Contrôlée wines of the region. It is also used in Champagne and sparkling
wine, one of the three main grapes used in creating bubbly.
Rhône Blends
the Rhône Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, but the major players are Syrah,
Grenache and Mourvèdre. Rhone-style blends are also made outside of the
region, in California, South Africa and Australia. Wines labeled "Rhône blends"
usually have two or more Rhône varietals plus small percentages of
secondary varieties. Australian rhone-style blends will often be labeled "GSM"
for "Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre." The best California rhone-style blends are
made along the Central Coast region.
Syrah (Shiraz)
famed wines of Hermitage and Cote Rotie. Syrah is also grown in Australia,
where it's called Shiraz and is the most widely planted grape in the country. It is
also grown is Washington State, Southern and Central California, South Africa
and South America. Syrah can differ widely in style depending on how and
where it is produced, but most tend to be smooth and middling tannic.
- Grown In: Bordeaux, France; California, Washington
- Descriptors: Elegant, sophisticated, dry, full-bodied, spicy
- Popular Pairings: Beef, some chicken dishes, pork, veal, pate,
swordfish or shark steak
centuries of French winemaking expertise. Sometimes called "Claret" in
England and the U.S., Bordeaux blends are made up of Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot grapes, with Cabernet
Sauvignon and Merlot usually playing the leads. The other three act as
supporters that round out the end product. Bordeaux-style blends are also
being made in the U.S., sometimes under the rubric, "Meritage."
- Snob Tip: The English word “Claret” is a corruption of the French clairet,
meaning “pale” or “clear.” Claret is usually pronounced with the “t”
ending uttered -- “claire-ette,” not “claire-ay,” which is most un-French.
Claret should not be confused with Clairet (pronounced "claire-ay"),
which is a Rosé wine also made in Bordeaux.
Cabernet Franc
- Grown In: Bordeaux, France; Loire Valley, France; California;
- Descriptors: Earthy, green pepper, olives, bell pepper, violet, raspberry,
cherry, cedar - Popular Pairings: Beef, pork, veal
blends and is a very important component of St-Émilion and Pomerol. Under
the right conditions it can also make good wines on its own, such as some
that come out of the Loire Valley, in France.
Cabernet Sauvignon
- Grown In: Everywhere
- Descriptors: Black currant, herbs, tobacco, earthy
- Popular Pairings: Beef, pasta, pork
just about everywhere, is often sold as a varietal and serves as the anchor
grape in Bordeaux blends. Highly tannic cabernet is considered the ultimate
food wine and pairs well with hearty, spicy meat dishes.
Gamay
- Grown In: Beaujelais, France
- Descriptors: Cherry, flowery, light, strawberry,
- Popular Pairings: Light meals, pastas, salads
has lively acids and but few tannins. Gamay is most often seen in Beaujelais
Nouveaux. It is best drunk young and slightly chilled.
Malbec
- Grown In: Argentina; California; Bordeaux, Cohors, France
- Descriptors: Blackberry, dark, full-bodied, gamey plum, tobacco, spicy
- Popular Pairings: Game meats, beef
Cahors, France, it is used to make full-bodied wines that mature. Gamay is
sometimes called the "black wine of Cahors."
Merlot
- Grown In: All over
- Descriptors: Cherry, blackberry, plum, spicy
- Popular Pairings: Beef, pasta, pork veal
one of the most popular, stand-alone varietals. The merlot grape exudes soft
fruit flavors and is highly versatile. The character of merlot depends greatly on
the climate and soil. Merlot from mountain areas are often similar to Cabernets
while those from bottom areas can be more velvety and soft.
Pinot Noir
- Grown In: Burgundy, France; Champagne, France; California, Oregon.
New Zealand - Descriptors: Earth, mushrooms, truffles, red fruit, spices
- Popular Pairings: Beef, pork chicken, swordfish, shark, tuna steak,
pasta
cultivate. It only grows in certain climates and soils and requires great care.
Pinot Noir's comes from Burgundy and is only grape allowed for Appellation
Contrôlée wines of the region. It is also used in Champagne and sparkling
wine, one of the three main grapes used in creating bubbly.
Rhône Blends
- Grown In: Rhone, France; Australia; California; South Africa
- Descriptors: Blackberry Gamey, peppery
- Popular Pairings: Game meats, beef, spicy foods
the Rhône Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, but the major players are Syrah,
Grenache and Mourvèdre. Rhone-style blends are also made outside of the
region, in California, South Africa and Australia. Wines labeled "Rhône blends"
usually have two or more Rhône varietals plus small percentages of
secondary varieties. Australian rhone-style blends will often be labeled "GSM"
for "Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre." The best California rhone-style blends are
made along the Central Coast region.
Syrah (Shiraz)
- Grown In: Rhône, France; Australia; California; Washington State; South
Africa - Descriptors: Blackberry, leather, pepper, smoke
- Popular Pairings: Pork, lamb
famed wines of Hermitage and Cote Rotie. Syrah is also grown in Australia,
where it's called Shiraz and is the most widely planted grape in the country. It is
also grown is Washington State, Southern and Central California, South Africa
and South America. Syrah can differ widely in style depending on how and
where it is produced, but most tend to be smooth and middling tannic.
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