Junior Sommelier Course at The Waiter’s Academy – Top French Wine Grapes and Blends

Junior Sommelier Course

Let’s explore the most important grape varieties used in French winemaking, both red and white. From the bold and tannic Cabernet Sauvignon of Bordeaux to the floral and aromatic Viognier of the Rhône Valley, each grape brings its own distinct flavors and aromas to the wines produced in France.
Starting with the reds, we have the king of grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon. This late-ripening grape prefers warm, dry climates and produces wines with flavors of blackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco. It’s a staple in many prestigious wines like the First Growth Bordeaux and California’s Napa Valley Cabernets.
Moving on to Pinot Noir, a thin-skinned black grape that creates some of the world’s most elegant and complex wines. It’s notoriously difficult to cultivate, but when grown successfully, it produces light to medium-bodied wines with delicate aromas of red fruit, spice, and earth. Burgundy is its famous home, but you can also find it in California, Oregon, and New Zealand.
Let’s not forget Merlot, a red wine grape that’s loved around the world. Its soft, velvety texture, medium body, and rich fruit flavors of blackberry, plum, and cherry make it a crowd-pleaser. In Bordeaux, it’s often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc to create exceptional wines.
And speaking of Cabernet Franc, this red grape variety adds aromatic qualities and peppery, herbaceous notes to Bordeaux blends. It’s gaining popularity as winemakers seek out more expressive and nuanced flavors.
Ah, the Bordeaux Blend! This famous red wine blend originating from Bordeaux typically includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec grapes. The blend’s complex flavors and aromas come from balancing the tannic structure of Cabernet Sauvignon with the softer, fruitier notes of Merlot.
Malbec, originally from Southwest France, found its true fame in Argentina, where it produces bold, full-bodied wines with intense dark fruit flavors, velvety tannins, and a touch of spice. In France, you can still find exceptional Malbec wines from the regions of Cahors and Bordeaux, where it is often blended with other grape varieties.
Now, let’s move on to Syrah, also known as Shiraz in some parts of the world. This dark-skinned grape thrives in the Rhône Valley, where it produces powerful, full-bodied wines with flavors of blackberry, black pepper, and smoky notes. Syrah can also be found in other French regions, such as Languedoc-Roussillon and the South of France.
Grenache, a versatile red grape, is a key player in many Southern Rhône blends. It thrives in warm, Mediterranean climates and offers ripe red fruit flavors, spice, and a touch of earthiness. Grenache is also used in the production of rosé wines, particularly in the famous region of Tavel.
Lastly, let’s talk about Gamay, the grape behind the vibrant and fruity wines of Beaujolais. Gamay wines are light-bodied with fresh acidity and flavors of red berries, cherry, and floral notes. Beaujolais Nouveau, released each year on the third Thursday of November, celebrates the young and lively character of Gamay wines.

Let’s switch gears and continue with the white French wines!
We will start with Chardonnay, a versatile grape that can produce a wide range of styles from crisp and unoaked to rich and buttery! Chardonnay is famously grown in Burgundy where it expresses flavors of green apple, citrus, and mineral notes. It is also widely planted in regions like California, Australia, and Chile.
Moving on to Sauvignon Blanc: zesty aromatic white grape Sauvignon Blanc is known for its vibrant acidity, and flavors of citrus, tropical fruit, and grassy notes. The Loir Valley in France, particularly Sancer and Pouly Fume is famous for its Sauvignon Blanc. New Zealand is also getting recognition for its distinctive Marlborough Country Sonvignon Blancs.

Let’s continue with Pinot Grigio, although it’s worth noting that this grape variety is more commonly associated with Italy rather than France. In France, it is known as Pinot Gris, and it thrives in the Alsace region. French Pinot Gris wines are often rich and full-bodied, displaying flavors of ripe orchard fruits, honey, and a hint of spice.
Next up is Champagne, the world-famous sparkling wine produced exclusively in the Champagne region of France. Made primarily from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes, Champagne offers a wide range of styles, from crisp and elegant to rich and complex. Its effervescence, delicate bubbles, and unique aging process make it a symbol of celebration and luxury worldwide.
Moving on, we have Pinot Blanc, a versatile white grape variety commonly found in the Alsace and Burgundy regions of France. Pinot Blanc wines are typically crisp, light-bodied, and refreshing, offering flavors of green apple, citrus, and sometimes hints of floral or mineral notes.