Virtual Tour of French Wine (Radio Show 3-28-2026)

French Wine Regions

On Saturday’s show Carmen and I took a virtual tour of France and its major wine regions. I’ve included some of Circle Liquor Store’s many super values from their French wine aisles.

Champagne

Closest to Paris is Champagne, known for its sparkling wine. Only wines from the region should be called “champagne”. The grapes used in making champagne are Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. While Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are red/black grapes, the winemaking process uses limited skin contact to make white or rose champagne.

Super high end (over $200):

• Dom Perignon
• Roderer Cristal

Moderate ($60s to $90s):

• Veuve Clicquot (yellow label)
• Moet & Chandon
• Tattinger
• Bollinger

Loire Valley Wines

The Loire wine region stretches 600 miles along the Loire River from the city of Nantes (naant) near the Atlantic coast, inland to north central France. Its wine varieties are as diverse as its micro-climates. Unlike Bordeaux which has strict AOC regulations regarding the five varieties that can be used, winemakers in Loire have more freedom to create a broad diversity of types and styles of wines. Reds, whites, and sparkling, known as Cremants.

The region is divided into Eastern, Middle, and Western. Eastern is known for Sancerre and Pouilly Fume (made from Sauvignon Blanc).

• Paul Et Jean Vielles Vignes (vel-ya veen) meaning old vines Sancerre
• Francis Blachet – Pouilly Fume

The Western area of the region, near the Atlantic Ocean, is known for Muscadet. Muscadet is a white grape that is used to make dry, light-bodied wine with crisp acidity and flavors of green apple, lemon, and a subtle brininess. Sometimes it is aged on the lees for a richer texture. Excellent pairing for seafood.

• Frutiere Muscadet (frwee-tyair moos-ka-day).

In the middle of the region is Vouvray known for its wines made from Chenin Blanc, and Chinon and Bourgueil (bour-gay) known for wines made from Cabernet Franc.

• Domaine de Vaufuget (vou-fu-zhay) Vouvray. Slightly off-dry with notes of green apple, quince, honey, floral. Pairs with seafood and poultry.
• Barton & Guistier (guess-ti-ay) Vouvray. This large company is one of the oldest and most prestigious wine negociants in France. They work with over 200 wineries to purchase grapes and wine and create their own branded wine.
• Domaine Fabrice Gasnier (gas-knee-ay) Chinon Les Graves. Made from Cabernet Franc. Fruit forward with plum, herbal, and black tea flavors.
• Domaine Fabrice Gasnier Chinon Vielles Vignes (vel-ya veen) meaning old vines. Fifty-year-old Cabernet Franc vines grown on a gravelly hillside create wine with ripe red fruits, mouthwatering acidity, and stony minerality. Good to drink now or hold for aging. Tasting notes: Earthy and herbal aromas, very dry with plum, black currant, and black gooseberries on the palate, medium to full body, smooth tannins. Medium length finish with spicy black pepper and mineral notes.

Bordeaux

Whites: Blended wine featuring Semillion and Sauvignon Blanc, sometimes with small amounts of Muscadelle used for its aromatic, fruity character.

• Chateau Ducasse Bordeau Blanc. Dry, white Bordeau made from Semillion and Sauvignon Blanc grapes.
• Barton & Guistier Sauternes. Sauternes is a sweet white wine made from grapes affected by noble rot. It has intense flavors of honey, apricot, peach, and tropical fruits. Sauternes is often priced at hundreds of dollars a bottle. B&G produced this budget-friendly one for around $30.

Reds: A blended wine using up to 5 grape varietals. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are the main grapes with smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.

For the budget-minded:

• Chateau Teyssier (tess yay). Wine estate in Saint-Emilion, just like our bottle from Laura. Known for its Grand Cru wines. This is an entry level wine by a significant player in the Right Bank Bordeaux scene. Historic estate that has been revitalized and modernized. Tasting notes: Rich and full-bodied with dark fruit, spice, and earthy notes.
• Legende Bordeaux Rouge. Produced by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), the same family behind the iconic first-growth Chateau Lafite Rothschild. A Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend leaning more toward the Cab. Medium to full-bodied with aromas and flavors of red and dark fruit such as raspberry, blackberry, and black currant with hints of sweet spices like vanilla and cinnamon.

Mid Range

• Chateau Alcee Cotes de Castillion. Castillion Cotes de Bordeaux is a satellite appellation in the Bordeaux region. Known for its elegant, fruity, and mineral driven style. Dark berries, licorice, spice, and floral notes. Food friendly.
• Chateau de Pez St. Estephe. The St Estephe appellation, the Chateau, one of the oldest in the Left Bank, is a historic estate owned by Louis Roderer. Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel classification. Full-bodied with aromas and flavors of dark berries, licorice, forest floor, violets, and spice.

Going all out:

• Chateau Lagrange St. Julien. The St. Julien appellation, produced from a single vineyard with a superb location on the Left Bank. Grand Cru Classe classification. Floral, smoke, and earthy notes on the nose. Powerful on the palate with flavors of red berries and cassis. Graphite and tobacco in a long finish.

Rhone

• Domaine de la Solitude Chateauneuf du Pape. Blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah with small amounts of several other French varietals. Lots of diversity in the winemaking styles but they are usually described as complex and generous in aroma and flavor, full-bodied with an opulent mouthfeel.
• Domaine de la Solitude Cotes du Rhone. Cotes du Rhone is the more basic wine of the Rhone, dominated by Grenache and using the same grape varieties as the Chateauneuf du Pape for blending. Red fruit oriented with bright acidity. Medium to full bodied.
• Chateau Beauchene Cotes du Rhone Grand Reserve, moderately priced at under $20.

Provence Rose

• Chateau D’Esclans – The Palm Rose. Known for high end Roses, this is their budget-friendly offering for under $20.

Burgundy

Chablis is a high-acidity, flinty white wine made from Chardonnay in the northernmost area of Burgundy.

• Joseph Drouhin Chablis priced around $30. Circle has several different wines from Joseph Drouhin including Villages, Pouilly Fuisse (white), Bourgogne Blanc, and Cotes du Beaune (Pinot Noir).

Beaujolais is a light, fruity red wine made from Gamay grapes.

• Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages. A classic that is always appreciated as a holiday host/hostess gift. Louis Jadot also produces many wines from Burgundy including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pouilly Fuisse.

Montrachet is a prestigious appellation that produces dry, white wine made from Chardonnay. Circle has several different producers of Montrachet, priced over $100.