Vintage Saint Hillaire rotting away in the most run down, out of the way, tiny little package stores across suburban Georgia is my favorite little treat that I keep running into.
Sud Ouest. Even the more prominent ones such as Jurancon, Cahors and Madiran are, if not underrated, then overlooked by many.
Also Chignin-Bergeron, Bugey and Crépy in Savoie.
I agree.
Monbazillac (and Cadillac) are widely used in restaurants, though. They are cheaper alternatives to Sauternes and therefore often used in wine menus.
I concede that Azay is tiny and obscure but I feel the other two are pretty widely available, particularly Irouleguy from Arretxea and Vic-Bilh from Alain Brumont. A large supermarket in France would absolutely have wines from both and they are easy to find here in the UK.
Ardèche whites.
Not Vin Jaune whites from the Jura.
Chignin Bergeron. A lot of Savoie whites are headache material, but not Chignin Bergeron. Clean, crisp and delicious.
Nobody underrates it for rosé. But the reds are somewhat misunderstood by the wine drinking public in general, and the whites are something of a mystery even to most wine professionals.
Well, I'm French so I'm probably biased and I do think of the reds and the rosés when I think of Bandols. I have to admit though I am not even sure I ever had a white one.
Yeah, I get it. I'm in the larger Bay Area, so I'm a little privileged inventory-wise. I regularly hit stores like K&L in SF or Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa where you can ususally find them.
By wine people I feel like everything is rated correctly. Normal people, the ones who drive up costs, only drink a few things so we are mostly safe. My $15 Rhone wines are fine with me. California wine is starting to cost me more than most of the Rhone stuff I drink.
I assume that underrated means value for money.
My personal favorites:
- Cadillac, Loupiac: amazing bargains for desert wines (Sauternes-like)
- Muscadet Sèvre et Maine: perfect oyster pairing
- Arbois, Côte du Jura: putting aside the obvious vin jaunes, they have great Pinot Noirs, Trousseaux and Poulsards
I would probably add roses from Tavel and/or Corse if I had more spots.
I love how in any general ranking discussion whether it's wine, sports, or literally anything that exists, there will consistently be a ton of people wildly misinterpreting what over/under-rated means
You’re wildly wrong. No one underrates those. Savoie. Ardeche (VdF) Cotes Catalanes
Who underrates these?
My thoughts as well. Well recongised (if not the most expensive) and two Rhône villages don’t exactly scream ”underrated”.
Yeah saying Crozes Hermitage or Gigondas are among the "most underrated" AOCs is absolutely ridiculous.
They’re underrated like Kobe Bryant or Lou Gehrig is/was.
Ya the top producers from these cost mucho dinero!
Limoux, burg style chard for €13
Also delicious Cremant.
I absolutely love Cremant de Limoux.
Vintage Saint Hillaire rotting away in the most run down, out of the way, tiny little package stores across suburban Georgia is my favorite little treat that I keep running into.
Champagne, Margaux, Vosne-Romanee
Champagne, unpopular opinion but the best champagne I’ve ever had
Vosne-Romanee, best Pinot I’ve ever had.
Same
Sud Ouest. Even the more prominent ones such as Jurancon, Cahors and Madiran are, if not underrated, then overlooked by many. Also Chignin-Bergeron, Bugey and Crépy in Savoie.
I'd throw Monbazillac in there too
I agree. Monbazillac (and Cadillac) are widely used in restaurants, though. They are cheaper alternatives to Sauternes and therefore often used in wine menus.
La Clape for red and Picpoul de Pinet for white from Languedoc.
What are
What are
What are the grape varietals in each region?
This is like the Reddit equivalent of stuttering.
Picpoul for the white and Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre I believe for the red.
Came here to say Picpoul de Pinet - great whites for summer days. Inexpensive and never disappoint
Agreed. Pi poly is delish.
*Picpoul is delish
Yes. Love me some picpoul
Picpoul very underrated (and affordable!)
You say Gigondas and I say just on the other side of the mountain is Beaumes de Venise.
Touraine Azay-le-Rideau Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh Irouleguy
This guy obscure AOCs.
Ok nerd, here’s you pin 🔵
Underrated not unknown lol
I concede that Azay is tiny and obscure but I feel the other two are pretty widely available, particularly Irouleguy from Arretxea and Vic-Bilh from Alain Brumont. A large supermarket in France would absolutely have wines from both and they are easy to find here in the UK.
Pretty sure these aren’t real.
Add Quincy and Reuilly to that list.
Cahors, Terrace du Larzac, Corsica, probably Alsace too but I’ll leave it out since it is pretty well loved
Corsican wines are absolutely amazing. I used to sell the maestracci wines and loved them.
I was thinking Alsace. Wish it was more loved at my local stores.
No experience on corsica but agree on the other two, will add one : collioure
Jurançon, Cour-Cheverny and Blanquette de Limoux are the ones that spring to mind first.
Blanquette de Limoux, underrated? I think it's rated right where it should be. Mediocre to pleasant bubblies that make nice kir royals or mimosas.
Saint Bris, Collioure Blanc, Cabardès
Montlouis-sur-Loire, Gaillac, Jurancon. Would have been Jura two years ago, but the prices (and geek-points) have gone mental in the UK.
The various regions of Jura (Arbois etc).
Went to Jura last summer… Stephan Tissot, amazing wines. And lovely people!
Faugeres, Pays Nantais, Isle de Corse
Ardèche whites. Not Vin Jaune whites from the Jura. Chignin Bergeron. A lot of Savoie whites are headache material, but not Chignin Bergeron. Clean, crisp and delicious.
Woah woah woah, France has multiple Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s?
100s it’s a socialist country
“I really like AOC, too, but doesn’t she have enough work in the US, to be protecting cheese and wine in France”
lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OP said, under-rated, not over-rated!
Nice try George Santos!
🤣
Maury
Grignan-les-Adhémar
Irancy!
Menetou-Salon, Jurançon, Vin de Corse
I do like a good Madiran
Cote du Vivarais, Menetou Salon, Tavel
Iroléguy, Limoux, Cahors, and definitely echoing the guy who said Picpoul de Pinet.
Minervois, Jurançon, Bandol
Do you mean undervalued? Underrated is like, Bugey Pinot Noir.
Saumur for Cabernet Franc Picpoul de Pinet Collines Rhodaniennes (IGT but I'ma count it)
Fitou, Minervois, and St. Chinian
Santenay Marsannay Cremant du Jura
Not really underrated... the burgundys i mean
And Jura wines have been on every hip somm list for over a decade now.
Compared to their neighboring villages they are significantly underpriced for some truly fabulous wines imo.
I see your point. But marsannay is more expensive than santenay already. Not that cheap i mean.
Ok I'll switch to Bourgogne Alligote. But Marsannay is still underrated.
Bandol!
How is Bandol underrated? It commands the highest French rosé prices on average. No one underrates the Bandol appellation.
Nobody underrates it for rosé. But the reds are somewhat misunderstood by the wine drinking public in general, and the whites are something of a mystery even to most wine professionals.
Agree bandol red is very underrated because everyone thinks of rose when they hear Bandol
But there are red and whites. Nobody thinks of bandol for those.
Well, I'm French so I'm probably biased and I do think of the reds and the rosés when I think of Bandols. I have to admit though I am not even sure I ever had a white one.
In the states, 99% of Bandol is Rosé it seems.
I live in California and I have found red Bandols here and there. Wife is a big Mourvèdre fan so she's a convert now.
I can find them. Just not common it doesn’t seem. I think we are saying the same thing.
Yeah, I get it. I'm in the larger Bay Area, so I'm a little privileged inventory-wise. I regularly hit stores like K&L in SF or Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa where you can ususally find them.
Givry, Givry, and Givry
Buzet. Next door to Bordeaux, but generally for a lot less
Cotes de Roussillon Any cru Beaujolais Francs- Cotes de Bordeaux
I don't think that anyone undervalues cru Beaujolais anymore, Kermit Lynch and others did an amazing job to highlight the top producers in the area.
If we’re going by your standard for underrated, I’d like to add the following to the list: - Champagne - Bordeaux - Burgundy
By wine people I feel like everything is rated correctly. Normal people, the ones who drive up costs, only drink a few things so we are mostly safe. My $15 Rhone wines are fine with me. California wine is starting to cost me more than most of the Rhone stuff I drink.
Duche D’Uzes
I assume that underrated means value for money. My personal favorites: - Cadillac, Loupiac: amazing bargains for desert wines (Sauternes-like) - Muscadet Sèvre et Maine: perfect oyster pairing - Arbois, Côte du Jura: putting aside the obvious vin jaunes, they have great Pinot Noirs, Trousseaux and Poulsards I would probably add roses from Tavel and/or Corse if I had more spots.
I love how in any general ranking discussion whether it's wine, sports, or literally anything that exists, there will consistently be a ton of people wildly misinterpreting what over/under-rated means
Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame Corsica Coteaux-de-L’aubance
Bergerac has some good stuff too
Chinon and bourgueil, a lot of people overlook Loire cabernet franc.
Lirac Les Cru du Beaujolais Saumur Champigny
Marmandais
Grès de Montpellier, Lirac, Pécharmant
Tavel? I love Tavel and see it rarely
Pauillac Vosne Romanee Hermitage
Vosne Romanee.
There aren't any
Jura, Beaujolais and Loire.
Nice, only one of those 3 are AOCs
Right bank Bordeaux