I’m Kayla, and I drink French red wine like a normal person. Not a judge. Not a snob. I cook dinner, I pour a glass, and I see what happens. Sometimes it’s magic. Sometimes it’s meh. You know what? That’s the fun part.
If you’re still figuring out which bottle loves which bite, this simple guide to French food and wine pairings walks you through the basics without the fluff.
For online browsing, I like to peek at the well-curated shelves of La Petite France, which helps me spot new regions without feeling overwhelmed.
Here’s the thing: French reds can be light or bold. Fresh or deep. Cheap or, well, not cheap. I’ve tried a lot. Below are real bottles I bought and drank at home, with the food I made or grabbed. I’ll tell you how they tasted, and if I’d buy them again.
If you ever want the blow-by-blow version of this tasting diary, I’ve laid it all out in French Red Wine: My Week of Real Sips and Small Joys over at La Petite France.
Tuesday Burger Night: Beaujolais-Villages (Georges Duboeuf)
We made smash burgers on the stove. I chilled the bottle for 15 minutes. I poured a glass of Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages. It smelled like cherry candy and fresh strawberries. Bright. Juicy. A little bubble-gum note, in a good way.
- Taste: light body, red cherry, a touch of spice
- Feel: soft tannins (that tiny dry grip)
- Price I paid: about $12
I liked how it cut through the burger fat. It kept the meal light. No headache, no heavy tongue. I’d buy this again for weeknights or a picnic with chips and a simple ham sandwich.
Rainy Wednesday Stew: Crozes-Hermitage (E. Guigal)
Cold rain. Beef stew in the pot. I opened E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage. This is Syrah from the Northern Rhône. It smelled like black pepper, dark berries, and a hint of violets. My kitchen felt warm right away.
- Taste: blackberry, black olive, pepper
- Feel: medium body, smooth, steady finish
- Price I paid: around $28
I let it breathe for 20 minutes in a wide glass. The pepper note matched the stew so well. It felt grounded. Calm. I said I don’t like heavy wine, but on a wet night, this hit the spot. So yes, I’d buy again.
Thursday Roast Chicken: Bourgogne Rouge (Joseph Drouhin)
Roast chicken, carrots, and mashed potatoes. I poured Joseph Drouhin Bourgogne Rouge (Pinot Noir). It smelled like red cherry and a little earth, like a forest after rain. I know that sounds silly. But it’s true.
- Taste: cherry, cranberry, soft mushroom
- Feel: light body, gentle acid (that fresh zip)
- Price I paid: about $22
This wine didn’t shout. It just sat there and made the meal better. If you like Pinot that is clean and not sweet, this is great. I’d serve it slightly cool, like 15 minutes in the fridge.
Friday Pizza: Côtes du Rhône (E. Guigal)
Pepperoni and olives from the corner shop. I grabbed E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rouge. This is a blend, mostly Grenache with some Syrah and Mourvèdre. It’s a workhorse wine. I mean that in a kind way.
- Taste: dark cherry, plum, some pepper
- Feel: medium body, easy tannins, smooth finish
- Price I paid: about $15
It handled the salty olives like a champ. It also didn’t fight the tomato sauce. Solid pizza wine. I’ve bought this many times, and I will again.
Saturday Steak Night: Bordeaux (Château Lanessan, 2015)
Dad’s birthday. I made ribeye in a cast-iron pan with butter and thyme. I opened Château Lanessan 2015 from Haut-Médoc. I decanted it for an hour. Big nose of blackcurrant (cassis), cedar, and a touch of tobacco.
- Taste: blackcurrant, graphite, cedar
- Feel: firm tannins, long finish, medium+ body
- Price I paid: $30
This felt classic. It wanted food. With the steak, it was perfect. Without food, it felt a bit stern. But with the fat and salt from the meat, it sang. I’d buy it again for a special dinner, not for solo sipping.
If a glass of sturdy Bordeaux has you thinking about extending the evening past dessert with a bit of playful back-and-forth on your phone, skim through this friendly primer on flirting and sexting for quick confidence boosters and tasteful line ideas that can turn the post-dinner chat into its own little course.
Sunday Cozy Dinner: Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Famille Perrin Les Sinards)
Lamb chops, rosemary, and roasted potatoes. I opened Famille Perrin Les Sinards Châteauneuf-du-Pape. I don’t buy this often. It’s a treat.
- Taste: ripe raspberry, warm spice, garrigue (that wild herb smell)
- Feel: rich, round, but balanced
- Price I paid: about $55
I said I don’t love big wines. And yet—this felt right on a cool night. The lamb and herbs hugged the wine. It felt joyful. I’d buy again for a holiday or a celebration.
If the night gets cooler and you’re tempted to swap the corkscrew for a snifter, check out French brandy—a cozy night in a glass; it’s my favorite fireside alternative.
Monday Leftovers: Chinon (Bernard Baudry Les Granges)
Leftover chicken, lentils, and a salad. I opened Bernard Baudry Chinon Les Granges (Cabernet Franc). Smelled like red fruit, pencil shavings, and thyme. A little green bell pepper note, but soft.
- Taste: cranberry, cherry, herbs
- Feel: light to medium, bright acid, light tannin
- Price I paid: about $20
This is my “I need something fresh” bottle. It clears the palate and keeps dinner simple. Great with roast veggies, too. I’d buy again and again.
A Little Surprise: Cahors (Clos La Coutale)
Short ribs in a slow cooker. I grabbed Clos La Coutale from Cahors (this is French Malbec). It’s darker than the Bordeaux I had, but still clean.
- Taste: plum, blackberry, a bit of cocoa
- Feel: medium+ tannins, steady finish
- Price I paid: about $14
I let it breathe for 30 minutes. It got softer, then deeper. For the price, it felt like a win. I’d keep this as a backup red for comfort food.
Quick Tips I Actually Use
- Chill reds a bit: 10 to 15 minutes in the fridge makes most of them taste brighter.
- Decant when tight: If it smells closed or tastes “dusty,” pour it into a wide bowl or a decanter for 20 to 60 minutes.
- Small pours: I use short pours and go back for more. It keeps the wine cool and fresh.
- Save a glass: I use a Coravin when I want one glass from a nice bottle. If not, I put the cork back and keep it in the fridge for a day.
- Glasses: I often use basic IKEA wine glasses. Fancy is nice, but not required.
Wine has a knack for sparking spontaneous plans—especially if you’re road-tripping through the Central Coast vineyards near San Luis Obispo and start craving company that goes beyond the tasting-room chatter. For a quick sense of who’s free and fun in the area, Skip the Games San Luis lays out local meet-up options, candid reviews, and safety pointers so you can spend less time scrolling and more time savoring whatever the night pours next.
Craving something with more zip and maybe a hint of citrus? Dive into my roundup of French white wine—my real-life sips and straight talk for a refreshingly honest take on the lighter side of the cellar.
What I’d Buy Again (Fast List)
- Beaujolais-Villages (Georges Duboeuf) — easy weeknight red
- Côtes du Rhône (E. Guigal) — pizza and pasta buddy
- Bourgogne Rouge (Joseph Drouhin) — roast chicken, mushrooms
- Crozes-Hermitage (E. Guigal) — stew and rainy nights
- Chinon (Bernard Baudry Les Granges) — light, bright, veggie-friendly
- Château Lanessan 2015 — steak and big dinners
- Clos La Coutale (Cahors) — slow braise comfort
- Châtea