Celebrate the Paris Olympics with French Wines
There is much to celebrate with the Paris Olympics this year! With 40 athletes with ties to Indiana participating in this summer’s games, it's an exciting event to watch. Some of our team members have traveled to Paris and fondly remember the incredible wines they enjoyed. French wines are renowned for their delicious, balanced flavors, and perfect for toasting the Olympics!
The last time Paris hosted the Olympics was in 1924, and back then, red wine was the drink of choice for hydration stops during the marathon. While today’s marathon runners typically stick to water, the historical connection adds a unique charm to the Paris games. James Ellis, an ultra-marathon runner and captain of the 2021 British Sparathlon team, was quoted saying, “Drinking red wine during a race might seem a little less bizarre when you consider that it’s packed with polyphenols that can supercharge mitochondria, the body’s energy cells, and help tame inflammation.” (Ziegler, 2024).
We don’t recommend drinking wine while running, but sitting with friends and family cheering on your country is a fantastic option! France, synonymous with wine, offers plenty of selections to help us celebrate both the Olympics and the Torch Relay Path. The relay path is lined with wineries, taking three months to highlight the diverse landscapes of France and build excitement for the games. The journey of the Torch, a symbol of unity and peace, includes 68 stops. You can follow the remainder of the relay at Olympics Torch Relay Live Info.
Here are some key stops along the relay path, showcasing the regions of wines we carry in our store:
- Marseille: The beginning of the relay, located on the Mediterranean coast within the Provence region. While Marseille itself is not primarily a wine-producing city, it is close to Provence, which is famous for its beautiful lavender fields and fantastic Rosé and red wines. Notably, the Provence wine region, especially Côtes de Provence, is renowned for producing about 75% of all wine in the area, with 80% of it being Rosé
- Rhone Valley: Situated north of Marseille, this region is best known for its prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, which are predominantly reds made from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. The region also produces some noteworthy white wines.
- Bordeaux: One of the most famous wine regions in the world, with viticulture dating back to Roman times around 2000 years ago. The region is divided into the Left Bank, known for its Cabernet Sauvignon-heavy wines, and the Right Bank, which is Merlot-heavy. Bordeaux is synonymous with high-quality red wines, although it also produces excellent whites and sweet wines.
- Loire Valley: Often referred to as the cradle and garden of France, the Loire Valley is a prominent wine-producing region known for its diversity. It produces a wide range of wines, including Beaujolais, Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Noirs, and Cabernet Sauvignon. However, Beaujolais is not typically associated with the Loire Valley but rather with the Beaujolais region near Burgundy.
- Marne (Champagne): The area of Champagne, famous for its exquisite sparkling wines. The region is celebrated for its over 500 tours and tasting activities, allowing visitors to enjoy the bubbles alongside the beautiful architecture.
- Cote D’Or (Burgundy): This region is known for its exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Burgundy shares the same latitude and a similar climate with Willamette Valley in Oregon, making it ideal for grape growing. The area also produces Pinot Gris, Gamay, Merlot, and other lesser-known grape varietals.
Our French Favorites
Château Moulin de Bernat Bordeaux Rogue
Region: Bordeaux, France
Grape Varieties: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes: The 2019 Château Moulin de Bernat is noted for its dark ruby color with crimson edges. It has a warm and dark flavor profile featuring blackberry, soft plum, and black currant. The palate is round and plush, complemented by dark chocolate, graphite, upturned earth, and vanilla notes. This wine offers a harmonious balance with medium-plus body and polished edges, making it a fantastic value for its quality.
Jean Foillard Côte du Py Morgan
Region: Beaujolais, France
Grape Variety: 100% Gamay
Tasting Notes: Jean Foillard Morgon Côte du Py is celebrated for its deep ruby color and aromatic complexity. It offers intense aromas of ripe red fruits such as raspberry, cherry, and strawberry, complemented by earthy and mineral notes. The palate is marked by fine tannins, vibrant acidity, and flavors of red berries, plums, and a hint of white pepper. It finishes with a long, silky texture.
Comtesse Marion Cinsault Rosé
Region: IGP Pays d'Oc, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Grape Variety: 100% Cinsault
Tasting Notes: This rosé showcases a pale pink hue and offers fresh aromas of strawberries, raspberries, and delicate floral notes. On the palate, it is light and refreshing with balanced acidity, featuring flavors of red fruits and a hint of citrus. This wine pairs wonderfully with salads, green vegetables, light appetizers, and seafood, making it an excellent choice for warm weather or casual gatherings.
Sip, Sip, Hooray!
There are many reasons to get excited about the Olympics this year. We are happy to help you pick out wines from these regions and others that may inspire you to cheer on your favorite athlete. Perhaps you’ll even be inspired to plan a trip to France! Our team would be delighted to join you and take notes for our store. Thank you for cheering us on and supporting local!