Today we’re sipping wines made in three French wine regions. All are white wines with relatively low alcohol but very different flavor profiles. And, as you might expect from French wines, all are made to enjoy with food. Our tasting begins in Champagne before moving to the South West France and ends in the Loire Valley. Champagne everyone will recognize, the second wine is made in a region better known for Armagnac and Malbec, and the third in a part of the Loire that is less famous than its neighbor, Sancerre. What fun to taste and explore! We received these wines as tasting samples.
Champagne
This region and its wine are perhaps the best-known in France. It is the standard against which all other traditional-method sparkling wines are judged. Most wine lovers are familiar with the big Champagne houses, like Veuve Clicquot and Moët & Chandon. But, there are many other, smaller wineries growing their own grapes and making champagne on a smaller scale — like Champagne Mandois.
The Mandois family’s heritage in Champagne goes back to 1735, beginning as skilled coopers, then as vignerons in Épernay who sold their grapes to cooperatives, but made a small amount of champagne. In 1905 the champagne house moved south to Pierry, a Premier Cru village, where Victor-Auguste Mandois built a winery. Today, several generations later, Claude Mandois leads the family operation. The family farms more than 90 acres, most of which are farmed organically, and grows 70% of the grapes used to make their champagne.
Champagne Mandois NV Brut Origine — light golden-blush color with generous bubbles. Aromas are primarily yellow apple and pears with hints of yeast and toast. The flavors follow the aromas with yellow apple and just-ripe pears and gravely minerality that are long lasting. Fresh acidity supports the flavors and the bubbles are mouth filling. Lovely, fresh and complex. 12.5% ABV. SRP $54
This is a fresh, flavorful champagne that is pure sipping pleasure. It will pair with about any light summer meal you can think of. Also, look for the Mandois Rosé Brut.
South West France
Côtes de Gascogne IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée) is a large wine region south of Bordeaux that overlays Armagnac (see Wine Folly map). According to Wine Folly white, red and rosé wines are made there.
Domaine Tariquet dates back to the 17th century. The first written documentation of its Armagnac production is 1683. That’s a long history making Armagnac. Domaine Tariquet’s history making white wine is slightly shorter — only since 1982. That wine, Classic, was made using Ugni Blanc, the variety historically used to make Armagnac. Today, Classic is a blend of 32% dry Gros Manseng, 25% Ugni Blanc, 20% Colombard, 15% Sauvignon, 5% Chardonnay, 3% Chenin. Since 2022 Classic has been a blend of these six varieties.
Domaine Tariquet is still keenly focused on its wide range of Bas-Armagnacs, but also makes a wide range of white wines, several rosé wines, a sparkling wine and a fortified white wine. The winemaking philosophy is open minded, with winemaking using both traditional varieties and unexpected varieties.
The Domaine Tariquet website has lots of detailed information about the region, the winery and winemaking. It will have you wanting to visit.
2024 Domaine Tariquet Classic, Côtes de Gascogne IGP — medium yellow color with generous aromas of orange blossoms and pineapple guava. Flavors include ripe pineapple guava, citrus zest and cut grass supported by juicy acidity. The wine is a bit round in the mouth and has a long finish. 10.5% ABV. SRP $15
The tech sheet indicates this is a dry wine, but the generous floral flavors might fool you into thinking it’s off-dry. The aromas are quite unique and very generous. It’s complex and refreshing and will please those looking for a floral, low-alcohol wine. Pair it with appetizers or just sip it on its own.
Note the following certifications on the wine bottle label: Engagé RSE (corporate social responsibility), OCACIA certification (ISO 14001 certification) and Haute Valeur Environnementale (an environmental certification).
Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is well known for its crisp white wines, light reds and rosé wines as well as sparkling wines and sweet wines. The Society of Wine Educators(1) describes the region as a collection of distinct subregions each focused on specific grape varieties. The Loire River connects all of these regions beginning with the Upper Loire (Centre-Loire) at its eastern point, to Touraine, then Anjou-Saumur and finally Pays Nantais where the river reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
The region we’re visiting today, Menetou-Salon, is located in the Centre-Loire beside its famous next-door neighbor, Sancerre. The focus in Menetou-Salon is Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir (both rosé and red wines). Joseph Mellot describes their soils there as “Kimmeridgian marls with small oysters fossils and limestone on softly rolling lands.”
The Joseph Mellot family has a long history in Sancerre, five centuries worth, and a presence in eight of Centre-Loire’s AOCs. The winery has expanded by purchasing two additional wineries — Jean Michel Sorbe and Pierre Duret. The vineyards are farmed sustainably, with the vines certified High Environmental Value (HVE). In addition, they state: “Our Domaine des Emois Estate (Sancerre) is labeled ‘Organic Farming’ and Domaine des Mariniers (Pouilly-Fumé) has started its [3-year] conversion process.” The winery has been ISO 14001 certified since 2009.
2023 Joseph Mellot Clos du Pressoir, Menetou-Salon AOP — pale yellow-green color with generous aromas of lemongrass, dusty minerals and beeswax. Flavors include lemon, beeswax and lemongrass all supported by juicy acidity. The finish is very long and clean. 13.5% ABV. $34 to $44 online.
What a classy Sauvignon Blanc. The flavors are elegant and will keep you coming back for another sip. Pair it with roasted chicken, bean salad or pesto pasta.
All three wines are imported by Albert Bichot USA.
Thanks to IT Public Relations for organizing our tasting.
Cheers!
(1) Nickles, J. (2025). 2026 Certified Specialist of Wine Study Guide. Society of Wine Educators.
