There’s nothing like a glass of crisp, cool wine to revive you during the heat of summer. The French know this well–just look at any park or café terrasse in France. To prepare you for your next dinner party, beach day, or apéro, we’ve come up with a list of the French wines that will keep you cool all summer long, and our favorite food pairings to go with them. Santé !
By Alaina Schwartz
SANCERRE (LOIRE)
Dry, Medium-Bodied, Medium Fruit, High Acidity
The Loire Valley is best known for its white wines, with Sancerre achieving fame for its Sauvignon Blanc. With tasting notes of lime, grapefruit, peach and gooseberry, and high minerality, Sancerre is a perfectly refreshing way to beat the heat during the summer months. East of the Loire river, don’t miss out on another regional gem, the smokier Pouilly-Fumé.
Perfect pairing: Goat cheese–A salade de chèvre chaud is just the thing!
CHABLIS (BURGUNDY)
Dry, Light-Bodied, Low Fruit, Medium-High Acidity
“Like water but better”–and we mean that in the best way possible. Chablis is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes in Burgundy, and is loved for its thirst-quenching acidity. Some typical tasting notes for this citrusy wine include lime, lemon and apple. This is one of those wines you’ll want to order every time you see it on the menu.
Perfect pairing: Goes great with all seafood, but is guaranteed to be a superstar at your next oyster happy hour!
ROSÉ (PROVENCE)
Dry, Light-Bodied, Medium-Low Fruit, Medium-High Acidity
Rosé exploded in popularity in the U.S. in the mid-2010s, but quickly developed a negative reputation as an overly sweet wine. But like all other wines, rosé is hugely varied in sweetness, fruitiness, and color. Provence rosés in particular are known to lean a bit more dry, with tasting notes of strawberry, honeydew melon, and rose petal. Refreshing, fruity, adaptable and convivial, it’s ideal for a trip to the beach, or served alongside a fabulous dinner.
Perfect pairing: Embrace the flavors of the mediterranean with grilled fish or ratatouille!
CRÉMANT (ALSACE)
Dry, Medium-Bodied, Medium Fruit, High Acidity
While Champagne will forever be the celebratory go-to, it’s not the only sparkling wine produced in France! France has eight Crémant appellations, with Crémant d’Alsace as its most popular. The process for making Crémant follows the traditional Champagne methods, but tends to use different grapes, often Pinot Blanc. For any and every occasion, put a bottle on ice and pop the cork for flavors like lemon, white peach, strawberry and almond.
Perfect pairing: Crémant d’Alsace makes for a dream apéritif, and will complement salty bites like olives and charcuterie.
APREMONT (SAVOIE)
Dry, Light-Bodied, Medium Fruit, Medium-High Acidity
Apremont de Savoie (and about 80% of Savoie wines) is made from the Jacquère grape, one of the few that can stand up to the region’s alpine climate and hilly terrain. While not very well known outside of France, the wine’s characteristic floral aroma and “alpine fresh” flavors– lime, green apple, and even fresh herbs–have transformed it into a regional favorite that makes for an incredible summer wine with a naturally low alcohol content.
Perfect pairing: Savoie cheeses like raclette, tomme de Savoie and reblochon.
