Intermarché/ French supermarket wine recommendations?

[Albarino]

Hi all,

We'll be at a campsite in South of France this summer and looking for wine recommendations ? We love Albarino/ cava/ malbec/ pinot noir etc.

I took photos of bottles we loved a couple of years ago but can't find them!

Thanks :)

The wine sections in bigger French supermarkets are absolutely huge, so you'll be overwhelmed by choice. Often there'll be a local specialities section, and a special offers section worth a browse.
Best to look for grape variety that matches your preferences. You might not find much Cava (Spanish), but there are some Cremants (de Limoux, de Loire) which are very nice fizz and come in white and rose.

At Intermarché look out for bottles branded Expert Club which is their selection. Good price quality ratio.

Impressed by your forward planning btw!

Also check if there is a local producer near you - we stay near Beziers a lot and get all our wine from a local winemaker cooperative. It’s very nice and very reasonably priced.

(Now horrified at how middle class I sound. 😂)

I dont drink pretty much anything but do live in France.

From my experience you would be hard pressed to find a bad wine here, even the cheap shit tastes good enough for me to enjoy.

Ooh we'll be close to Beziers, would you mind sharing details? Thanks!

Yes, tbf I think there was only 1 red I didn't like last time 😂

I live for holidays so always planning ahead 😂

I can highly recommend this book which helps you discover wines similar to those you already like. We've used it a lot over the years and many French supermarket trips. We like Rasteau, Beaujolais, Fleurie and many others!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Periodic-Table-WINE-Sarah-Rowlands/dp/1785031678

Sounds simple but look out for anything with an award / medal.

The French are fussy over wine as it is, so anything for the french market with an award is generally good. (Noting here do not buy in Calais / tourist venue or an airport on this basis)

Like a PP I look for the ones that have won medals.

If you're white drinkers then you're in Picpoul de Pinet country. It's a gorgeous white and perfect for drinking in the evening as the sun goes down, with a bowl of nibbles. It's cheap in supermarkets but as PP said, if you buy direct from a vineyard it works out at something ridiculous like £2 a bottle if you get it in a 5 litre 'bidon'.

It’s Vignerons de Sérignan in Sérignan, I think it’s signposted as the Cave Cooperative. It’s not much to look at (they updated the shop a few years ago, but the actual winery next door looks like a factory - Burgundy-like chateau it is not!) but I like their wine. Particularly the muscat sec. They also sell wine by the litre.

Expect most wines to describe where it’s from and not necessarily the grape variety. If you can visit a vineyard that’s fun also if there’s a fruit and veg stall near the campsite they may have wine they made themselves, always been delicious