French Wines! Recommendations needed!

[SpringHasSprungGrassIsRiz]

Finally on holiday in the Vendee, and the plan was to try different bottles each night to see what we like, with the winner x 20 coming home at the end of the fortnight.

We're 2 nights in and I'm overwhelmed at the choices! I prefer white, and not too heavy, and I'm not a fan of "oak-ey" wines.

So what gems would you suggest we road test whilst sitting outside our tent?

Touraine!

Ooh I'll check that out for tomorrow night!

Shamelessly bumping for more responses!

I’m by no means a wine expert (I barely drink), but I had muscadet when we were in Nantes and I absolutely loved it. Bone-dry and not oaky.

A white Bordeaux

Love a Touraine too.

Look for wines that have won medals.

Crémant d'Alsace. Very like champagne, made by the same method but made in a near by department. A good Crémant is cheaper (and far better) than a cheap champagne. I used to live in the Alsace so I'm possibly a little biased. We're heading back to visit in a few weeks and will be bringing home as much as we are allowed.....

Bergerac white is just as good as a Bordeaux and cheaper. A nice Sauvignon Blanc is good and see if you can find a Vignonier. Try not to buy cheap, even if tempted. I tend to spend 5 euros. My French friends don't buy from the supermarkets (I do!) but they go to a wine shop, a little dearer but they will recommend good local stuff.

Mind you, after saying all that, our local Lidl has a lovely Merlot for 2 euros, and Intermarché has some nice Corbieres for around 4,

Can you visit any of the local vineyards? They often do tastings and then you buy from the source? I did this recently for a rosé- was able to try a few and then bought my favourite.

Pouilly Fuisse and Pouilly Fume. (I've most probably spelled those atrociously!)

Chablis!

I'm working my way down......

Vouvray from the Loire. Get still not sparkling. Quite sweet but in a beautiful layered red wine kind of way. When you come home hooked on it, they sell a lovely one in Sainsbury's 😂

Definitely try picpoul. Best really cold (they put ice in it sometimes too)

I'd forgotten about Vouvray! I used to enjoy that.

Cremant de Loire. Actually any Loire valley. I'm more of a red fan though, Bordeaux has great reds. I visited a winery and vineyard in the vendee once

Buy a little bottle of Sauternes for dessert (it won't be on the list of winners but it's worth trying at least once).

Yes to all the beautiful Loire Valley wines previously recommended, make sure Sancerre is on your list.

I like the whites from Alsace and from Bandol. Though my favourite is blanc de Cassis (also from Provence), that can be hard to find. For Alsace, I love Gewürztraminer, but it is an acquired taste and some people hate it. Not oak-y though.

For red, Corbières is great value for money, and for a treat I get Vacqueyras, Gigondas or Bandol. I used to drink loads of Bordeaux but I’ve gone off it.

I love Pouilly Fuisse. Also partial to a Chenin blanc from Loire valley. Chablis, Sancerre, pouilly fume also generally a safe bet. Cremant great for sparkling - more like champagne than Prosecco.

Definitely Vouvray

Montrachet (for a very special treat) or another white Burgundy

Definitely Cremant. We drink gallons of it. So much better than Prosecco or Cava. When in UK, drink the M&S one.

Chateauneuf du Pape (I have expensive tastes) and Côte de Luberon-often has a hint of liquorice.

We love cremant too! Tend to buy the cremant de Loire but also partial to an Alsace!