The standard of named French wines is very strictly controlled with laws that stipulate the exact area in which grapes for a top-quality wine may be produced and in some cases the type of grape that may be used for it. The best and most expensive wines come into this category, known as appellation controlee. The next quality is that of the vins delimites de qualite superieure, known as VQDS. The third quality, over which there is no such control, is that of the vins ordinaires, suppliers of which are obliged to indicate the alcoholic strength of the wine on the label.

Generally speaking, when you buy wine you get what you pay for, but this does not mean that many of the cheaper wines, the vins ordinaires, are not excellent to drink.

What to drink with French family meals

It is generally accepted that certain types of wine go best with certain dishes. For example, red wine is usually drunk with red meat or game, white with fish. Rose Wines go well with the same types of dish that suit white wines. Where food has been cooked in wine, it is best to drink the same wine, or a similar type, with the dish.

Only for the most elaborate dinners are different wines served with each course. The French, dining en famille, will tend to drink one wine - usually red - throughout the meal. It is likely to be a French wine, but a German white wine may be drunk in place of, for example, an Alsatian wine, and an Italian red - similar to the wines of Languedoc - would make a good substitute for the home variety. It is worth remembering this when shopping for wine to drink with a French-style meal.

The table right gives suggestions for types of wine which might be drunk with various types of dish. They are arranged in ascending order of price, with the most expensive at the bottom.

Ideal Serving Temperatures for Wine :

Champage 5C (40F)

Alsace 5C (40F)

White Bordeaux 5C (40F)

Red burgundy 15C (60F)

Bordeaux 18C (65F)

Red Wines benefit from being decanted well before the meal, as this serves to aerate the wine and let it reach room temperature. It will need a chance to settle, however. Ideally, red wine should be decanted about 8 hours before being drunk. There is no need to decant white wine, but do remember to chill it well in advance of the meal. Many rose wines are also best served chilled.