Wine tasting is an inseparable part of any of the tours to France. However, while it is clear you should do it, it might be a bit difficult to decide the where and the when. Especially if you are no expert or you are visiting for the first time. In that case, let us guide you through the five tips for wine tasting in France. Hopefully, all will be clearer in the end!
Step One: Choose Where
The French art of wine tasting is quite an affair here, so there are wide varieties of flavors and, naturally, the regions, so it is imperative to know where to start. Let’s look through some of the main ones:
Alsace – Settled between Germany and France, Alsace produces wine made from the Riesling and Gewurtztraminer grapes, a couple of names you are most likely familiar with. Many of their wines have peachy, floral undertones, but, if nothing else, you should know that their wines tend to be dry. If that is okay with you, Alsace is a great place to start your wine tasting journey.
Bordeaux – Considered the wine capital of the world, Bordeaux is one of the top wine tasting destinations, rich in its variety of choices and numerous different wines. We definitely suggest taking the time to explore this region, and the city is very easily accessible if traveling, let’s say, from the capital city. Just take the Paris to Bordeaux train, and you will be drinking wine in no time.
Provence – While it is famous for being a picturesque, dreamy region with a countryside-French aesthetic, Provence is also a good place to try out your first wines. It is the oldest wine region in the country, so perfect to learn about its history, development, and technical side. All the while enjoying the scenic surroundings!
Step Two: Know Your Wine Classifications
French wine is divided into four classifications which are determined depending on how prestigious the wine is. Basically, the more specific the grapes and their features are, the better the wine.
AOC – It stands for Appellation d’Origine Controlee and is France’s most prestigious wine classification. If the wine is AOC, it means that its base grapes were harvested locally and then brewed using traditional methods. So if you see those three magic letters – no doubt you have chosen correctly.
VDQS – Vin Delimite de Qualite Superieure, or wine determined of superior quality, the VDQSs are usually quite rare, and while they are not as highly acclaimed as AOCs, it comes as a close second. Just as with the first one, this classification means high quality, so you cannot go wrong.
Vin de Pays – Vin de Pays basically just helps you determine the origins of the wine. It ranks lower than VDQS and does not really explain the type of grapes used, style, or brewery technique. It just shows you where it came from.
Vin de Frace – Vin de France is the least popular and takes the bottom of the classification hierarchy. This is because their winemakers use grapes from anywhere in France and never specify region or origin on the labels.
Step Three: Practice the 5 S’s
There are five main steps to wine tasting, or as winemakers like to call it, the five S’s. So, grab some kind of drink, preferably yet untasted, alcoholic one, and practice seeing, swirling, sniffing, sipping, and savoring! Even if this is your first time, we advise you to check the basics, just so you better know what to expect.
Step Four: When to Go?
This is kind of a no-brainer, but there are still a couple of things that determine a successful wine tasting. While summer wins without question, you could actually start with the wine tastings as early as April or go as late as October. You will be pleased to know that there is no off-season when talking about wine in France!
Step Five: Ask Questions
Wine tasting is a very interactive experience, and you will most likely get a native Frenchman to guide you through it, and they expect you to ask questions. Not only do they expect it, but they hope for it. Good communication guarantees a much more enjoyable tasting, not to mention you will inevitably learn a lot more by asking questions!
Follow our guide before planning a wine tasting trip to French, and you will have the best time! Be open to new experiences and new, rich flavors on your tongue. Bon appetit, and have fun! Also, you can read more about unforgettable trip ideas in France and the surrounding central European countries here.