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.

I would not bring wine, no matter what the "wine knowledge" of your hosts is. Everyone has different taste buds. Your chance of a home run in someone else's home park is slim to none. It's like buying a cat in a sack.

I would bring a bottle of fine spirits -- Crown Royal, Jack Daniel's, Glenfiddich -- or anything else not made in France. It will last a lot longer than a one-off bottle of wine.

Jack Daniels? Have you a guide to the good vintages?

I disagree, sparnee. I have been bring wine for 20 years to friends and they are sure to tell me not to but I also know one friend likes scotch so always bring him a bottle.
It's like when I first met these French friends, I sent them
Maple Syrup, they all disliked it and told me so. That's what friends do.

And my first suggewstion if you will buy wine is to ask in the wine shop. They are educated about what they sell(not like in my neighborhood)

<i>Jack Daniels? Have you a guide to the good vintages?</i>

LOL. The third sip is the best.

<i>Maple Syrup, they all disliked it and told me so.</i>

In the land of crêpes covered in sweet stuff? Maybe you brought a brand that is mostly corn syrup.

<i>I would not bring wine, no matter what the "wine knowledge" of your hosts is. Everyone has different taste buds. Your chance of a home run in someone else's home park is slim to none.</i>

Most folks that really like wine can appreciate a lot of different wines. As long as you get a wine that is, objectively, pretty good, then someone that likes wine will usually appreciate it. The one exception is probably Sauvignon Blanc, which some people just hate. But red Bordeaux? Pretty much everyone will like a good bottle of red Bordeaux.

As to Jack Daniels... There are better American Whiskies if the OP wants to bring something uniquely American. I question, though, if it is worth trekking an American Whiskey or wine through Bordeaux. If they were meeting their friends first, then I would absolutely bring something American, but it sounds like they are seeing their friends at the end of the trip.

no spaarne, the real thing from my area.

Everyone's situation is different it seems. ALL my French friends get wine as gifts and because they do not have deep pockets but generously entertain alot, they are grateful.
In Provence I get to go to the vineyards with them to fill up their huge wicker covered bottle.
One friend who recently died, looked forward to the chevas Regal.

The last thing I consider when buying a gift is whether or not I overpaid.

I don't have a French friend who doesn't love all things Italy. So I pull something special from my Italian collection that's drinkable now and I encourage that we drink it together. It's the only way to truly know one has hit a home run. A luxurious Vin Santo always brings a smile. And I have yet to experience a French or Italian friend who doesn't appreciate a wonderful, respectable California Cabernet.

Wine enthusiasts tend to admire those who have the courage to bring gifts of wine. We're always open to new discoveries and new tastings. I receive more bottles than I can store or drink so I give many away but not without doing some research first. If I keep a bottle, I mark it with the name of the person who gave it. If ever I come across something awful (it's happened), I spill it down the drain. If I find it's just OK, I'll probably cook with it.

When it comes to hard liquor, my tastes are more specific. Any bottle of Grey Goose and/or Cointreau will garner a kiss. Hand me a six-pack of Bud Light and you'll never be invited back.

Champagne never goes to waste. I get invited to several parties with 20-year-olds. I find they'll drink anything.

Bring a good cognac or armagnac, Bordeaux isn't that far.
Or a pousse-rapière.........

A good cognac is indeed always appreciated, even if they don't drink cognac themselves. It is something that everybody has on hand to propose to guests.

Thanks to you all for the "food for thought." Another thought -- we will be in Brittany so what about calvados? Too weird? Our friends once served it so I know they drink it, but I don't know how to select that either. Maybe candy or flowers would be better.

Again, go to a shop and ask for a special calvados, a favorite of mine, but the cheap versions taste like fire water.

It is hard to suggest something as there are tons of wines that don't get imported here that will be available to you. You tend to pay mote for wines that are already aged. 30-40€ will get you a very nice wine. Ignore the Robert Parker suggestions and go with a suggestion from a wine shop. Parker is reviewing wines that are imported. He is also considered by some to have caused a negative change in wine production methods.

Whatever you choose, your hosts will consider the thought more than anything else unless you brought some maddog 20/20. Then again, they may think it as American port. Lolz.

I collect wine, I don't judge what people bring over. When someone once brought a bottle of Korbel as a gift, I saved it for mimosas. I did not snicker about it. Was perfect for those mimosas.

Calvados is not weird but it is more typical of Normandy than Brittany. You could find a Brittany whisky (they make some!) : Gwenroc, Armorik, White and Black, Eddu, etc........

Calvados, which is a cider brandy, is indeed Norman (it takes it name from one of the départements of the province). The Breton equivalent is Lambig, which is quasi-legal. The first sip of a new bottle of Lambig is always interesting, because it is the most unpredictable drink ever.

Hey tg,

>....assuming that they know (or really care about) wine.............<

From the OP, "These people really know and appreciate good wine,.....".

((I))

ira - If you had said: "You take a risk bringing wine to oenophiles" that would be one thing, but when you put the focus on them being French, rather than wine-lovers, you are making a completely different point.

Regardless, I think the OP is realistic about how to shop for the wine and how much they will need to spend to find something nice.

crckwc1 - I am in the middle of reading Michael Steinberger's book " Au Revoir To All That" - What a book! If you want to know the ins and outs of viticulture in France, the good and the bad wine, and have a laugh at some of the things he talks about, go and get this marvellous read a.s.a.p! Gosh, I didn't know some AOC wines are overrun with plonk and worse than a simple vin de pays or vin de table!
Not only does he give you the low-down on French wine but food, chefs, and restaurants(including a fascinating couple of pages on MacD's).
The gift of wine is a wonderful gesture and I am sure you expect a "Oh, this is just lovely - one of my favourites"! No?
I know which wines are 'givable' here in my own country of South Africa, but must admit would feel a bit unnerved at presenting French folks with a bottle. I would go for a darn good cognac as a gift.