Is your New Year’s resolution to save a bit of money? As life in Calgary is getting more expensive, it’s hard to justify splurging on non-necessities, but hey—you still deserve to drink good wine. Let us help you indulge in one of life’s simple pleasures with minimal damage to your wallet.
You may look at the French Wine section at the wine shop and think about the famous wine regions. Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne…they sound so decadent on the tongue. As delicious as these wines may be, many also come with a pretty price tag. Fortunately, Market Wines has a vast selection of affordable French wines.
Whether you’re looking for some awesome Tuesday night wine options or you simply don’t want to spend your life savings on expensive French wines, there are many options for affordable French wines to satisfy your cravings.
Why is some French wine so expensive?
“Can you really tell the difference between expensive and affordable wine, or is it all just a facade?” I get this question often, and honestly, some of my favorite wines are under $30. With a bit of knowledge, or knowledgeable advice, it’s easy to source out good value wines.
There are a few reasons why wine can come with a higher price tag, which can vary from region, weather factors, terroir, yield, and age of vines in the vineyard, to difficulty of growing specific grapes. Let’s dive into some cheap and enjoyable French wine options you can find on our shelves that fit your budget.
Jeff Carrel – Languedoc-Roussillon
Though historically known for its grape growing, the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the south of France has recently been gaining more recognition for its delicious yet reasonably priced wines. One of our favorite producers, Jeff Carrel, sources his wines in this region. The terroir and consistent weather make it suitable for growing a variety of grapes. Carrel sources his wines from small, family-run vineyards throughout the south of France. Doing this keeps costs low, while producing great wines produced with love and care.
Jeff Carrel 2021 Les Darons Rouge
Jeff Carrel NV Bistrologie
Jeff Carrel 2021 Les Mamettes
Domaine Girard – Malpère
Still in the Languedoc, but more specifically the Malpère appellation, Domaine Girard makes a terrific Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This is a family winery known for their sustainability practices as well as their reasonably priced and approachable products. As some of Market Wines’ best sellers, these wines are great for satisfying a Burgundy craving at less than half the cost.
Domaine Girard 2022 Pinot Noir
Domaine Girard 2022 Chardonnay
Alliance Loire – Loire Valley
Often overlooked, the Loire Valley is home to a variety of wines. While Sancerre, Touraine, and Vouvray are famous names from the Loire Valley, this region produces some of the best Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc at very attractive prices. We at Market Wines love to work with the cooperative Alliance Loire, a collection of small wineries who have pooled together their resources to produce family-run quality wines at reasonable prices. Some favourites from their lineup include the Reserve de Vignerons Saumur Blanc and the Reserve de Vignerons Saumur Rouge. This versatile Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc duo are staff favorites at $22.95 each.
Reserve De Vignerons 2021 Saumur Rouge
Reserve De Vignernons 2021 Saumur Blanc
Arnauld Lambert – Loire Valley
Perhaps you’ve heard of the saying: “Champagne taste on a beer budget.” I would like to introduce you to “Champagne taste on a Cremant budget.” Arnaud Lambert, an independent and 100 percent organic winemaker in the Loire Valley makes a Cremant de Loire from Chenin Blanc. At $34.95, this is my go-to celebration bubbles. A Cremant is made using the same traditional technique as Champagne, so you don’t need to compromise on the velvety bubbles and toasty notes often accompanied by its “real deal” counterpart. If you told me this wine was Champagne, it would be illegal, but I would believe you!
Arnaud Lambert NV Crémant De Loire
If your heart is set on indulging in wines from the most famous regions in France, you still have options at approachable price points. Definitely check out our entry level options from Bordeaux, Cotes du Rhone, Château L’Ermite D’Auzan 2020 Rouge, Burgundy (Pavelot Bourgogne), and Vouvray.
At Market Wines, we care about what you drink, no matter your budget. Drop by and chat with staff about budget friendly wines—we’d love to help you find the best value for quality wine.