How to Pair French Wine with Great Food
A new generation of producers in France is bringing dynamic, modern attitudes to revered family businesses, drawing on personal experiences and travels for a fresh vision of the world that's reflected in their work. The wines they’re creating today are so easy to love — and delightfully versatile, pairing beautifully with whatever food you decide to serve.
Presented in partnership with Taste France.
French-Style Brunch
Load up a board up with all your favourite late-morning fare — soft cheeses, bacon and eggs, crisp salads and crusty baguettes — and let everyone help themselves. French bubbles are essential! Or go for a smooth, fruity red that’s appealingly light on its feet, like a classic Beaujolais.
Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages
Bring this Gamay's delightfully fresh and tart flavours to brunchtime!
Poached Egg, Sopressata & Ricotta Breakfast Sandwich
Taste the South
Traditionally, Greek mezes are delectable eats — think stuffed vine leaves, peppers, olives and tabbouleh — that are enjoyed before dinner while you're sipping a glass of wine. These nibbles offer big flavours and call for wines with loads of personality, like a Sauvignon Blanc that’s crisp and clean but full of intense fruitiness. Or try a lightly chilled, peppery red from the Southern Rhône — a wine that manages to be powerful but also disarmingly elegant.
Chateau Timberlay Bordeaux Supérieur AOC
With complex flavours and a balanced finish, this classic Bordeaux pairs perfectly with Mediterranean fare.
Tabbouleh
Fruits of the Sea
Succulent shrimps, smoked salmon, oysters and mussels with garlic butter and a squeeze of lemon — who doesn’t love feasting on seafood?! There are so many incredible French wines to match these ingredients that it can be hard to choose. Turn to something really sophisticated: a classic Mâcon-Lugny from Burgundy’s warmest area, where the sunshine gives Chardonnay a peachy, oak-kissed quality that's irresistible.
L'Orangeraie Rosé Pays D'OC
The floral and cherry aromas in this fresh, dry rosé are as subtle as its delicate colour, making this wine an excellent choice for a seafood feast.
Smoked Salmon Chowder
Hearty Helpings
It’s the time of year for big reds — wines of depth and fruity intensity with the structure to stand up to even the heartiest dishes. France produces some of the best-loved red wines in the world, from Bordeaux and Burgundy to the sun-kissed blends of the south.
Marius Rouge Pays d'Oc
Rich, meaty recipes work well with big, spicy wines — like this stellar Syrah and Grenache blend!
Cassoulet
More Great French Wines to Try
Chateau de Montgueret Crémant de Loire Brut
These classy bubbles pair beautifully with pretty much anything!
François Lurton Les Fumées Blanches Sauvignon Blanc
Enjoy juicy gooseberry and lime notes with a tantalizing hint of smoke.
Bouchard Père & Fils Mâcon-Lugny Saint-Pierre
No wonder white Burgundy is the most renowned Chardonnay of all!
Félix & Lucie Cabernet-Syrah
With ripe black fruit flavours, here’s a rich red in a smooth contemporary style.
Fun Facts About French Wine
At 50 litres per person per year, the French are the world’s second largest consumers of wine. (Portugal is #1.)
France produces seven to eight billion bottles of wine annually.
France organizes its wine into 360 designated appellations, mostly within the main growing regions, such as Bordeaux.