The Best Wine To Drink While You're In France Depends On The Time Of Year

It's no secret that the French adore their country's wine, from crisp Champagnes and sparkling whites to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignons and everything in between. When choosing which wine to drink with their meal, the French consider not only traditional food–wine pairings (i.e., red wine with meat versus white wine with fish) but also the weather and the season. In the height of summer, for example, French wines of choice are often white wines like Chablis, a citrusy wine with hints of lime and apple, or refreshing Sancerre, with notes of grapefruit, peach, and gooseberry.  

Another wildly popular summer wine for the French is rosé, a fruity, blushing elixir made from black grapes but using distinct wine-making techniques and maceration processes. As a result, instead of appearing deep red like other black-grape wines, rosés range from fiery coral to the palest of pink, depending on the type and wine label. The ideal place to discover exquisite French rosé is Provence, an area in the south of France that's known for its rosé appellations. In this region, you can tour wineries such as Chateau d'Esclans, maker of the renowned Whispering Angel wines, which the Esclans website describes as "today's worldwide reference for Provence rosé." But you don't have to be lounging in a yacht off the coast or dining in a colorful, beachy seaside town along the French Riviera to savor a summer rosé experience. If it's a warm, sparkly day and you're at an outdoor café anywhere in France, rosé is an ideal accompaniment to your salad, brie, or baguette, especially if you want to blend in seamlessly with the French locals.

In the colder seasons, the French gravitate towards fuller-bodied reds, such as from the renowned appellations in Burgundy and Bordeaux. These are wines with richer and deeper flavors –– think notes of smoky chocolate, nuts, molasses, and even balsamic vinegar –– that tend to pair well with heartier dishes like pork, beef, thick meat stews, or lasagna. The Bordeaux region in Southwestern France where these wines are produced is another fantastic French destination for a wine-themed vacation. Another French winter wine that's worthy of mention is drunk most often during the holiday season — vin chaud, or mulled wine. The concoction consists of red wine, exotic spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom, a few drops of citrus juice, and a touch of brandy. In addition to warming you from your head to your toes, vin chaud will definitely put you in the holiday spirit, which is why it's often sold at Christmas markets throughout France and in other parts of Europe. 

Lastly, we want to emphasize that what we've described here are preferences or trends more than hard-and-fast rules. So if you're in the French Alps on a ski vacation, sitting in a hot tub after a long day on the slopes, and your hand is screaming out for a glass of sparkling rosé: Go for it. We assure you that the French wine police are not going to pop out of a nearby closet to issue you a citation. And when in doubt, you can always opt for Champagne. It's the one beverage the French enjoy on special occasions throughout the year, regardless of whatever the calendar says or what the weather is doing.