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When I went to Cornucopia in Whistler, I had the pleasure to attend a few seminars to zero-in on certain aspects of food and wine. One of my favourite sessions was Ohh La La, where we sipped and learned about 10 French wines that cost CAD$37 or less. Besides BC wines, I have always been a big fan of French wines. I love me some bold Bordeaux blend, and French Viognier was one of the first wines I fell in love with. I was really excited about attending this seminar, facilitated by wine experts Christine Campbell and Dr. Damien Wilson, who have both lived in France before.

Here are the 10 wines we tried, ranging from sparkling to rose, to white to red. I will highlight the ones I enjoyed the most.

Chamdeville Blanc de Blancs Brut – FAVOURITE
This sparkling is highly carbonated, with medium complexity and medium length. It uses ugni blanc, a grape commonly used for cognac. It’s only $15.99 and will be great to take to parties.

Ogier Ventoux Rose
This was made with the classic trifecta grapes of rose in the area: grenache, syrah and cinsault. $23.

Chateau Presquie Terrasses Ventoux White
This has viognier, grenache blanc, rousannec and clairette, grapes commonly found in the Rhone region. It was aged in concrete and stainless steel. The taste dances on the palate and overall harmonious. Christine said it tastes like summer. $25.

Francois Lurton Fumes Blanches
Is it weird that the wine smells like mushroom on the nose? It is 100% Sauvignon Blanc, sourced all over France. It was in stainless steel and left on lees for a few weeks. Christine has been buying this for 8 years now. $15 is great value. It has pretty good length, perhaps a bit too acidic for my liking with a bit of lemon pith taste.

Hugel Classic Pinot Noir
Pinot noir in Alsace is considered excellent value and this one is only $37. This can pair nicely with charcuterie and cheese, or even mushroom risotto. It was balanced, with elegant length. A classic expression of pinot noir, Christine suggested that it can cellar for 2-3 years.

Le Croizillon Cahors Malbec
This malbec is inky in colour. It came from grapes of 33-year-old vines that are organic and sustainably farmed. It has fantastic length, it’s easy drinking with blackberry and blueberry flavours. It’s not as spicy as Argentinean malbec. $32.

Louis Bernard Cotes du Rhone Villages – FAVOURITE
This is a blend of grenache and syrah. No animal product was used in the production of this wine. Christine rated this 92/100 and suggested that it can be cellared for up to 5 years. Only $20!

Ogier Heritages Cote du Rhone Rouge 2020
A blend of grenache, syrah, mourvedre and marselan grapes, this wine was very tannic. You can taste the oak in the wine, and the intensity was off the chart. It has beautiful length and complex taste, perfect for game or red meat. It’s pretty much ready to drink now but can probably cellar for 5 more years. $20.

Gerard Bertrand Corbieres GSM “An 806” – FAVOURITE
This, in my opinion, was smoother and more balanced at the Ogier Heritages above. And it’s the same price at $20 and is available at BC Liquor Store.

Chateau Daviaud Bordeaux
This is a merlot, cab franc, cab sauvignon and malbec blend. It’s priced at $25 at private liquor store but it’s listed as $20 at BC Liquor Store. It’s quite tannic and can use some more time to mellow out.

Final Thoughts

What is a successful seminar? When the participants walked out of the seminar room and cleared out the shelf of the pop-up wine store!! We were last to leave the seminar room, and one of the wines we liked was sold out already! I do believe they’re available locally so I will just have to seek them out.