French Wine and Food Regions

Situated in southwest France, Bordeaux is home to two towering giants of the wine world, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Mixing it Up

Arguably the most respected red wine region in the world, Bordeaux produces regal reds made primarily from blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes. Some Bordeaux blends, such as those from the Médoc, use more Cabernet; some, like those of St-Émilion, use more Merlot. The white wines are made with Sauvignon Blanc tempered with Semillon grapes. You won’t find the grape varietals listed on the labels of Bordeaux wines: look for place names and the names of the producers.

Hooray for the Bordelais!

Red Bordeaux wines pair famously with the beef, lamb, and ducks that are raised nearby. Fabulous foie gras and confit are made from ducks of the Bordelais. The beef and lamb of the area are sometimes prepared à la bordelaise, in a sauce made with red wine, ham, butter, shallots, thyme and parsley. This region is also known for its truffles and mushrooms. The Atlantic Ocean and the Gironde estuary, meanwhile, provide the shellfish and seafood that are served with Bordeaux’s white wines.

The English Connection

The term “Bordeaux” does triple-duty here, referring to the region, the wine of the region, and the city that lies at the region’s center along the left bank of the Garonne River. Bordeaux (region, wine, and city) has had a close connection to England since the 12th century, when Eleanor of Aquitaine wed Henry Plantagenet. When Henry became king of England, Eleanor’s Aquitaine, which included Bordeaux, became an English dominion. Gradually, the wines of Bordeaux came to dominate the important English market.

These recipes are representative of Bordelais cooking. Consider serving them with red or white Bordeaux.

Burgundy is a storied wine region in central-eastern France known for wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.

Giddy about Burgundy

Among wine regions of the world, Burgundy is peerless. The great red wines of Burgundy are made from Pinot Noir grapes, the whites from Chardonnay grapes. As with Bordeaux wines, you won’t find the name of these grape varietals on bottles of Burgundy--labels reflect the location where the grapes come from.

The Dish on Dijon

Burgundy is also a major food center. The food capital of Burgundy is Dijon, situated at the top of the wine-producing area. The cuisine of Dijon shares the reputation for refinement and sophistication with its wines. Classic dishes include Boeuf Bourguignon, coq au vin and salmon in Chardonnay.

More than Mustard

True Dijon mustard is prepared with unfermented juice from local wine grapes and is a classic component of many meat and vegetable dishes. Expect it to appear on menu items prepared à la dijonnaise. The area around Burgundy is also well-known for its cherries. Duck with cherry sauce and a bottle of red Burgundy is a classic pairing. Dishes cooked à la bourguignon, meanwhile, will feature a red Burgundy wine sauce with mushrooms, onions and bacon.

Serve these dishes with red (pinot noir) or white (chardonnay) burgundies.

Syrah and Grenache are star players of the Rhone wine region, a long river valley that stretches from just below Lyon down to Avignon.

Regional Differences

The Rhone wine region stretches 125 miles along the Rhone river valley and comprises two very distinct grape-growing areas. The vineyards of the steep northern Rhone valley produce Syrah-based wines characterized by pepper, sturdy fruit and somewhat exotic tar and smoke flavors. Production is small--but the renown is large. The wider, warmer southern Rhone produces wines based primarily on fruity Grenache blended with Syrah and other red grapes. Sensational rosé is also grown in the southern Rhone.

The Hearty and the Haute

The city of Lyon is a gastronomic capital that is second to none. Its reputation as a culinary center extends back to antiquity, when it served as a wine supply center for Roman soldiers stationed on the frontier. Two proud culinary traditions have emerged side by side in Lyon: one encompasses refined, elegant cuisine, while the other is typified by rustic, hearty dishes of the country hearth.

Lyon(ion)

In Lyon, the lowly onion rises to remarkable heights. Dishes prepared à la lyonnaise will feature onions in some incarnation, whether in a sauce or as garnish. In Lyon, potato and meat dishes, soups and omelets are primed for onion preparations. The classic Lyonnaise sauce is made from sautéed onions cooked with white wine or vinegar and demi-glace. You can’t go wrong pairing Lyon-inspired dishes with wines of the Rhone, whether southern--like Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Tavel and Gigondas--or northern, such as Hermitage, Cote Rotie and St. Joseph.

Keeping Pace with Alsace

German influences can be found all over Alsace, not least in the region's cuisine and in its complementing wines.

Vins of the Vosges

White wines rule in Alsace, dominated by minerally Riesling, spicy Gewurtztraminer and peachy Pinot Gris, but also represented by Muscat, Pinot Blanc, and the lesser known Sylvaner grapes. The grapes of this region are grown in the foothills of the Vosges mountains, which shelter the vineyards from wind and rain. Alsatian wines distinguish themselves among French wines by being labeled according to grape variety. Look for the tell-tale tall green bottles that denote Alsatian wines.

Defined by Diversity

Alsatian cuisine is like none other in France. Throughout the centuries, the Alsace region repeatedly changed hands between France and Germany. The culinary influences of these two countries are borne out spectacularly in Alsatian cuisine. The language of Alsatian cuisine is bilingual: in the city of Strasbourg, you can sit down for langouste cardinalisées with a side of spätzle or flammenküche and choose from local wines like Riesling and Gewürztraminer or Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc.

Sauerkraut, French? Oui, Bien Sûr

When sauerkraut steps across the Rhine into Alsace, it is known as choucroute and is typically cooked with Riesling, juniper berries and caraway seeds. Recipes vary, but when choucroute is prepared with potatoes, a variety of Alsatian sausages, ham and other salted meats, it is called choucroute garni. It is a one-pot feast that is particularly delicious washed down with dry Alsatian Riesling.

Here are recipes that are representative of Alsatian cooking. Consider serving them with Alsatian whites like Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Blanc.