When you think of serving an elegant wine at a dinner or get together, French wines often come to mind. If you are looking for French wines to serve to family or friends, but don’t want to spend a fortune, there are some excellent choices available to you. Below are some delicious French wines that you can serve without taking out a bank loan.
Lalande-Couturier Bordeaux 2005 . $16.00. This is a Merlot wine from the Bordeaux region, a plush wine loaded with dark fruit flavors and chocolate. The aromas are cinnamon, plum and other berries, and the finish is very smooth. Your guests will truly enjoy this excellent French wine for under $20. If you normally drink California Merlot, this is a nice French alternative.
Jean-Claude Boisset Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2005. $15.00. This Pinot Noir has aromas of vanilla, black currant and pepper, with bright acidity, smooth tannins and a delicate aftertaste. If you are looking for flavors of black currant and spice, along with a long finish, try this French wine. A rich but elegant choice for under $20.
Château Guiraud-Cheval-Blanc 2005. $14.00. A Côtes de Bourg wine, you and your guests will find this French wine to be rich but very fruity. The blending of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Cabernet Franc give this under $20 bottle its layered complexity. Its aromas consist of orange, clove and ginger, and flavors include peach, mint and apricot. A lovely wine without heavy tannins, you may find this to be very similar to a burgundy pinot.
E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2001. $18.00. With cherry, vanilla and orange aromas, this rich French wine is sure to impress. It has round tannins, with flavors of ripe plums and dark cherry, and the finish is long and smooth. This is a blend of Old Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and other grapes. (Châteauneuf can consist of up to 13 varieties of grapes.) This under $20 French wine has even made it on to Wine Spectator’s Top 100 List (2003).
Pouilly-Fuissé Labouré-Roi 2006. $18.00. If you are looking for a French white to serve, this Pouilly-fuissé is an excellent choice. A dry white made from a blend of Chardonnay grapes, this under $20 bottle has lemon, pear and oak flavors (the oak toned down nicely with apples), with a creamy finish. The aromas are nutty with a touch of lime.
Château Haut Vigneau 2006. $18.00. This is a smooth French red with aromas of blackberries and currants, and a long, subtle finish. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, this is an earthy wine for under $20 that your guests will enjoy. If you purchase this wine for your cellar, be sure to drink before 2014.
Source list:
Personal experience
http://www.snooth.com/wines/french/
