What are some well-known French wines?

Question

What are some well-known French wines?

Answer 1

Real champagne is only from the Champagne region of France (all others are considered sparkling wines of the champagne method) and very popular

Beaujolais

Answer 2

That is getting harder and harder to tell every year, as every wine maker or vineyard is adopting French or German sounding names(mainly because they have the same grape stocks).  You really got to look on the bottles to see in what country the product is made.   From personal tastings, the French or German wines are no better(or worse) than what can be produced in North America.   The more variety you taste, the more you know.(and it can be "just for 1 year" they were the best)

Answer 3

There are three basic ways to refer to wines.

The first is by variety, naming sole or predominant grape used to make the wine, like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, etc.  Each of these grape varieties impart particular characteristics, however top French wines are rarely sold by variety.

The second way is by region, like Champagne, Bordeaux, Bourgogne (Burgundy), etc.  According to French law, not only must a wine be from the region so named (unlike in the US where you can have "California Champagne" and so forth), but only certain regions are allowed to put their names on the bottle.  Furthermore in some regions, the varieties of grape that may be used is restricted.  Currently, the most popular region for table wine is Bordeaux, but any French wine that has a region name on it (called an appellation) is known for distinctive characteristics and qualities.

The most specific way is by winery or vintage, usually but not always beginning with the word 'Chateau'.  A winery won't put its name on every year's wine production, only the vintage that meets the standards of master vintner.  

I've heard things about Chateau d'Yquem, Petrus, Romanee Conti, and a Champagne whose name escapes me, but they are exceptionally pricey and I've never had the opportunity to try them.

Answer 4

Bordeaux is the premier of French wine region, and if you really must, try a bottle of Lafitte Rothschild, you will not regret it.

For the beaujolais, a nice bottle of B&G is pretty good also.