Wines to buy if you’re on a French road trip
As any wine lover will agree, France has it all.
But where do you begin if you’re not sure which are the go-to appellations if you’re after a bargain, or find French labels baffling when it’s by region and not the grape variety?
“Savvy shoppers know one way is to look to lesser-known wine regions to find wines you’re guaranteed to love,” says Helena Nicklin, Ocado wine ambassador.
“A quick stop-off in Calais will also mean you should save on international shipping costs when going for French wines.”
So, whether a trip to France is on the horizon or not, here are some alternatives to your classics to seek out…
“If you’re a fan of a light, quaffable Provence rosé, you don’t have to go far off the beaten path to find wines similar to those you love, but which offer great value for money,” says Dan Farrell-Wright, director at Wickhams Wines.
Nicklin says: “Love Whispering Angel? Provence put pink wine firmly on the map but it often comes with a price tag to match, especially trendy ones like Whispering Angel.”
“Cote des Roses celebrates the Mediterranean lifestyle, and looking to Languedoc next door is a great way to find brilliantly priced pinks that are pale and elegant,” says Nicklin. “Yet often with a bit more fruitiness.”
For those who prefer a full-bodied chardonnay from Burgundy, Farrell-Wright suggests looking for Beaujolais Blanc which he cites as an insiders’ secret.
If you can’t track down a Beaujolais Blanc, think about stocking up on chardonnay from Mâcon-Villages in southern Burgundy, where you’ll get more bang for your buck than a premier cru.
And don’t forget seafood- loving muscadet from the western end of the Loire Valley. Certainly worth keeping an eye out for if you’re touring around, especially those labelled Sur Lie – aged on lees for more depth and complexity, with a yeasty creaminess – and a natural with oysters and shellfish.
As Nicklin puts it: “Good old Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of those wine names that sticks in your head for being ‘one of the good ones’.
Farrell-Wright agrees: “Red lovers should look to villages close to their favourite appellations – if you love Châteauneuf-du-Pape, try other villages from the Rhône Valley such as Gigondas or Rasteau.”