In France, the apéritif is a sacred moment. It is eagerly awaited as an opportunity to relax and enjoy the company of loved ones. So, to enhance these precious moments of sharing, red wine naturally serves as the ideal companion. But be careful, not just any wine!
While French vineyards do indeed offer a great diversity of red wines from different grape varieties and terroirs, not all red wines are suitable for the apéritif!
In this article, we will therefore explore together the essential qualities of a good red wine for the apéritif and examine what the wine regions of our beautiful country have to offer at their best for this delightful occasion.
Happy reading!
The qualities of a good red wine for the apéritif
Before setting out to discover the different red wines for the apéritif from our fabulous vineyards, it is first essential to define the qualities sought in a red wine for the apéritif. And these are quite simple and logical!
Indeed, and although it is above all a matter of personal taste, most of us are looking for freshness and enjoyment at apéritif time. Consequently, it is light, fruity, and rather low-tannin red wines that will be the ideal companions for this convivial moment. The idea is here to avoid overwhelming our taste buds before the meal and to prepare them for more intense dishes.
Indeed, if the apéritif has a purpose, it is to whet the appetite! Therefore, it is better to steer clear of powerful, heavily oaked, or even complex cuvées in terms of aroma, as these will most likely stand up better to the main dishes you have chosen !
It is entirely possible that you are jumping out of your seat reading these lines because you may have always preferred a powerful Bordeaux red or a robust Languedoc wine for the apéritif... Once again, listen to yourself! If this type of cuvée is your style and brings you pleasure, stay true to yourself ! Our humble advice is simply here to guide you and provide some oenological reference points 🍷.
Many red wines pair perfectly with charcuterie for the apéritif
Red wines for the apéritif by region
Alsace red wines for the apéritif
While Alsace is above all a land of white wines (90% of production), Alsatian red wines are nevertheless excellent companions for the apéritif. These can only be made from the grape variety Pinot Noir and often display great tension, light fruity notes but
All the conditions are therefore met here for the apéritif! For example, do not hesitate to choose Pinot Noirs from the Barmès-Buecher or Mittnacht Frères estates, which are excellent apéritif companions.
Bordeaux red wines for the apéritif
Bordeaux is world-renowned for its elegant and complex red wines, mainly made from the grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
While the region offers many powerful and tannic wines not necessarily suited to the apéritif, many winemakers from lesser-known appellations will offer you cuvées focused on fruit and enjoyment. For example, choose appellations such as Blaye Côtes-de-Bordeaux, Canon-Fronsac, Lalande-de-Pomerol, or Montagne Saint-Émilion ! The regional appellation Bordeaux will also allow you to find what you are looking for.
Burgundy red wines for the apéritif
Burgundy is the kingdom of Pinot Noir, a delicate grape variety producing fine and delicately fruity red wines, evoking notes of cherry, redcurrant, strawberry, and raspberry.
For your apéritif, opt here for a generic Burgundy red or a Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grains (a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay). You can also choose appellations such as Hautes-Côtes de Nuits or Hautes-Côtes de Beaune. Located at higher altitudes, these offer wines with extra freshness... perfect for awakening the taste buds!
Other appellations such as Fixin, Marsannay, Rully, Mercurey or Savigny-lès-Beaune also offer wines that pair perfectly with cheese and charcuterie.
Of course, many cuvées from prestigious appellations such as Pommard, Nuits-Saint-Georges or Gevrey-Chambertin can also be suitable, but as most wines from these AOCs are more concentrated and intense, they are best enjoyed at the table.
Try, for example, the estates Decelle & Fils, Jaeger-Defaix, Thevenot Le Brun or Philippe Naddef!
Beaujolais red wines for the apéritif
The Beaujolais is above all a magnificent red wine region, and it is clear that the vast majority of wines produced here can be enjoyed at apéritif time thanks to the wonderful
This grape reigns supreme in the vineyard and expresses delicious notes ranging from red fruits (cherry, strawberry, raspberry, redcurrant) to black fruits (plum, blackberry, blackcurrant) and spices (pepper, licorice).
The Beaujolais Nouveau will of course be perfect for the apéritif thanks to their freshness, drinkability, and aromatic simplicity. The Beaujolais-Villages will be a little more concentrated, but most will also be good companions with charcuterie boards.
Finally, although the red wines from the region's prestigious appellations (Brouilly, Saint-Amour, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie etc.) have more pronounced and intense characters, most cuvées from these AOCs can also be enjoyed before sitting down to eat.
So don't hesitate to try the delicious Gamays from Clos de la Roilette or Château du Moulin-à-Vent to enjoy your apéritif!
Rhône Valley red wines for the apéritif
The Rhône Valley offers a great diversity of red wines and can be divided into two parts. In the north, the Syrah has a monopoly and makes up the reds of prestigious appellations such as Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage or Côte Rôtie. In the south, the red wines are often made from a blend of varieties, mainly Grenache, Syrah, as well as Mourvèdre and Cinsault. The appellations here are Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Rasteau, or Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
While most wines from the above-listed appellations are best enjoyed at the table due to their structure and intensity, this does not mean that the region has nothing to offer for the apéritif!
Try, for example, reds from AOC Côtes-du-Rhône or Côtes-du-Rhône Villages from producers such as Domaine de Piéblanc or Stéphane Ogier. The red wines in IGP Collines Rhodaniennes can also be interesting for the apéritif, as can some from IGP Coteaux de l'Ardèche (Château de la Selve).
In general, it is best to seek advice here as styles can vary greatly depending on the producer!
Loire red wines for the apéritif
The Loire is famous for its white wines, but it also produces light and fruity red wines from grape varieties such as Gamay and Cabernet Franc that are perfect for the apéritif!
Try, for example, a Chinon from domaine Fabrice Gasnier or Bourgueil from domaine Lamé Delisle Boucard... guaranteed to be a hit! These fresh and crunchy wines are indeed perfect to accompany appetizers at the apéritif.
Jura red wines for the apéritif
We don't think enough about the Jura... and yet, what a magnificent wine region!
Here, reds are made from three grape varieties (blended or not): Trousseau, Poulsard, and Pinot Noir. Thanks to high-altitude terroirs, these are often fresh and appetizing and therefore ideal for the apéritif. Special mention, however, for Poulsard, an indigenous grape with addictive lightness!
Let yourself be tempted, for example, by the reds from Jérôme Arnoux of Cellier des Tiercelines, you won't regret it!
Languedoc-Roussillon red wines for the apéritif
The Languedoc-Roussillon is the largest wine region in France, thus offering a wide variety of red wines with excellent value for money. However, here, the sun is strong and the wines are often concentrated and powerful.
Nevertheless, we recommend the cuvées from domaine des Schistes in Côtes-du-Roussillon or la Chouette du Chai in AOC Pic-Saint-Loup. The Minervois from domaine de Courbissac are also focused on freshness and will be very suitable for an apéritif! Finally, some red wines from the regional IGP Pays d'Oc will also be good partners.
Southwest red wines for the apéritif
Just like Languedoc-Roussillon, the red wines of the Southwest are generally concentrated and powerful. Nevertheless, it is entirely possible to find what you are looking for for the apéritif in this beautiful wine region!
For example, think of the delicious Bergerac from domaine Albert de Conti or the Cahors full of grace from Château Les Croisille where Malbec is crafted with great finesse. Other small appellations such as Brulhois, Saint-Sardos, or Coteaux du Quercy can also offer simple and fruity wines that are very suitable for the apéritif.
Provence red wines for the apéritif
While Provence is above all renowned for its rosé wines, the region also produces excellent reds from grape varieties such as Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Nevertheless, the Provençal sun gives a certain power to the cuvées produced here, and these will therefore not necessarily be the best suited for an apéritif.
Nevertheless, you can try your luck with a Côtes-de-Provence red or a wine from IGP Méditerranée, the latter often offering simpler and more accessible cuvées.
We once again recommend that you seek advice if you absolutely want to choose a red from the region for the apéritif, as good knowledge of the estates and wines will be essential here.
Savoie red wines for the apéritif
Finally, Savoie, although a region par excellence for white wines, also produces delicious fresh and elegant red wines thanks to a vineyard located at altitude.
The grape varieties Mondeuse, Gamay, and Pinot Noir are the main players here and offer fruity, lively, and tasty wines that will pair wonderfully with the apéritif moment. For example, think of the magnificent cuvées from domaine Anne-Sophie and Jean-François Quénard!
In conclusion, the wise choice of a good red wine for the apéritif depends above all on your personal preferences but also on the dishes served on this occasion. We hope, in any case, that the many tips given in this article will help you find a red wine to enjoy with your loved ones during this fabulous moment of conviviality. And don't forget that
