What kind of French wine?
 

We will be visiting friends in Paris (native Parisians) this summer. On previous visits, they have absolutely refused to let us take them to dinner, saying "This is MY city!" So I've brought flowers and special candy, but this time I would like to bring wine. We'll be in Bordeaux so I thought something from there would be nice. However, I'm cluless as to French wines, other than I've never met one I didn't like. I need expert advice as to labels, year, etc., from you French wine experts. These people really know and appreciate good wine, so I want to be sure to get something nice. Is 30-40 euro reasonable? If not, how much? And more importantly, what label? Thanks!
K

I would ask in the wine shops because they are highly trained and know what is good in your price range.

The words cru & Medoc with a picture of a castle impresses the Parisians !

Peter

>>>The words cru & Medoc with a picture of a castle impresses the Parisians !<<<

Sorry, that's not enough for a wine enthusiast.

The label should read "Grand Cru Classé". This is the ranking of wines:

- Vin de table (1-2€ per bottle).
- Vin de pays (2-4€ per bottle).
- Appelation controllé (4-12€ per bottle).
- Cru Bourgeois (8-30€ per bottle).
- Grand Cru Classé (25-1000€ per bottle).

There are five quality steps of Grand Cru Classé wines: 5e Grand Cru Classé is least, 1er Grand Cru Classé best (not available under 150€ per bottle). But even 5e Grand Cru Classé is very, very good.

With a Grand Cru Classé, you can't be wrong.

For year, here is a good vintage chart:

http://www.erobertparker.com/info/vintagechart.pdf

As for the price... €30-40 should get you a good wine, but you won't be able to get a "name" bottle for that price. Some of the bigger names do have secondary labels that can be quite nice, and offer some level of impressiveness. Chateau Palmer Alter Ego is a good example of this type. Otherwise, you really should go to a good wine shop and get some advice, as there are a lot of different producers at a lot of different price points.

As to Medoc wines, mentioned above, bear in mind that these are usually very tannic and require some age. Unless your friends are the type to cellar the wine, you might want to seek out an older bottle. The Right Bank wines (Pomerol & St Emillon), as well as generic Bordeaux wines can be drunk a bit younger, as can Sauternes, which is an excellent sweet wine.

Hi crc,

>These people really know and appreciate good wine, so I want to be sure to get something nice.<

The suggestion to ask at a wine shop is a good one.

I suggest that you stick to the flowers and candy, though.
A. Bringing French wine to a French home is like carrying coals to Newcastle.
B. If they know their wine, you run the risk of 1) paying too much, 2) paying too little 3) bringing something that they don't care for.

OTOH, a bottle of Chateau d'Yquem always makes a nice dessert. It also goes well with truffled foie gras, which you can get in Bordeaux.

((I))

<i>A. Bringing French wine to a French home is like carrying coals to Newcastle.</i>

I think this is a cliche that has long outlived its usefulness... if it ever had any to begin with.

My French friends always bring a bottle of wine when they come to my house in France, and while I realize that's not exactly the same thing, I don't think there's any harm in it.

It's a good idea to ask at a wine store (and follow Echnaton's advice). You might also consider bringing something alcoholic and regional other than wine, such as a vin de pêche or a vin de noix or a liqueur de coing or liqueur de noix.

Normal people consider a 10€ bottle of wine to already be a very nice gift.

I have friends in various parts of France of France. While in the Loire, I'd buy wine and farm goat cheese to bring to friends in the Vienne who looked forward to these house gifts. FOr Provence, I brought wines from Languedoc
or a special rose like the Bandol, Domaine du Tempier.
Reading some of those books about the French, give you false information, like don't ask to go to the toilet, don't bring wine. These books are really directed to mostly CEOs and wealthy people who may have grand wine cellars.

Not everyone liks the same types of wines. What have they usually served when you ate with them? I would try fr the same type of wine - but a better bottle.

Hi all,

I seem to have not made myself clear about coals and Newcastle.

It was in the context of a foreigner bring a gift to a French family.

Of course the French bring wine for each other.

((I))

>These people really know and appreciate good wine, so I want to be sure to get something nice.<

Warning from the daughter of a wine expert. Bring whatever you like, but restrain from bringing wine unless you really know what you are doing. Otherwise this is likely to go wrong, even if the hosts are polite and appreciate the effort.

Another thing to know is that the wine you bring is not necessarily the wine that will be served at dinner. Often, the wine for dinner has already been chosen. This is not at all an affront to you, so do not take it badly.

Bringing wine as a gift to oenophiles can be risky. Yes, a grand cru is a good bet for quality, but there is still a chance that it is not quite to their taste.

Regional food specialties might be a better idea. From Bordeaux (more specifically, from the Périgord, near by) the culinary delicacies are anything to do with duck, particularly foie gras, and truffles. Very few French people would turn their noses up at them.

Echnaton ...........

>>>The words cru & Medoc with a picture of a castle impresses the Parisians !<<< was supposed to be a joke !

Peter

Or some Canelés for dessert? But I guess your friends can get them in Paris as well.

<i>Hi all,

I seem to have not made myself clear about coals and Newcastle.

It was in the context of a foreigner bring a gift to a French family.

Of course the French bring wine for each other.</i>

It was clear. Some of us just disagree that the French have a monopoly on wine knowledge. If these folks are truly oenophiles, that is one thing, but assuming that they know (or really care about) wine simply because they are French is a ridiculous assumption to make. At the end of the day, a EUR 30-40 bottle of wine puts you in the range where, if carefully chosen (and the OP seems willing to put care into the choice), you will be presenting a wine that any but the most discerning (and wealthy) wine drinker will appreciate. This applies if they are French or not.

Oenophiles in France are few and far between and often they are complete snobs. Therefore don't worry about them. If your hosts are good people, they will appreciate whatever you bring. If they start making snarky comments, feel free to cross them off your list for the future.

I agree with you kerouac. Even those with a bit of knowledge who may spend more on a bottle than you
would be delighted to taste a bottle that costs less that they really enjoy.