Satisfy your French wine curiosity with this gorgeous Bordeaux.

I was intimidated by French wines until I had the opportunity to taste them while attending a wine certification program at The Culinary Institute of America in Saint Helena, CA.

My understanding of red blend wine at the time was limited to what I had experienced from tasting California wines which tend to be fruit-forward in flavors. So it was a new experience to discover that French wines can offer a broad range of profiles from earthy, forest-floor, fruit, floral, herbaceous, and spicy.

For anyone foraying into a French wine exploration, you cannot go wrong by starting with wines from the Bordeaux region.

Bordeaux is divided into two notable winemaking regions: “Left Bank” and “Right Bank.” Simply put, the “Left Bank” wines contain a significant portion of Cabernet Sauvignon supported by Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc. In contrast, the “Right Bank” wines are predominantly Merlot, with a smaller portion of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc used as support components.

There is also a French wine myth that good Bordeaux is too pricey. Just as domestic reds can have exorbitant price tags, so can French wines. So, where do you start? Start at a store like Total Wine, where each wine comes with brief tasting notes, so you can purchase what fits your budget and palate.

I recently purchased a 2015 Château Beau-Séjour Bécot to pair with a beef dish. This wine is from a family-owned property in Saint-Émilion, one of the oldest wine-producing appellations that date back to the ancient Romans.

The wine was as opulent in the glass as it was on the palate. Rich garnet at the rim converges to deep purple in the center. The nose is brimming with dark fruits such as blackberries, cherries, and plums. Silky tannins coat the tongue as flavors of luscious fruits, a touch of baking spice, and a hint of minerality unfurl to delight the palate.

This wine tasted comparable to premium wines, for under $100 and is now added to my preferred wine list.

No matter your budget, expand your taste in wine by discovering a new favorite from an unexplored region.

Blend: 80% Merlot,
16% Cabernet Franc,
4% Cabernet Sauvignon