I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Stephanie Rivin, a visionary winemaker whose remarkable journey took her from America to the heart of Bordeaux. Stephanie’s passion for winemaking began in California’s Anderson Valley, where she was inspired by the region’s wines and her husband’s winemaking endeavors. In 2018, Stephanie made the bold decision to move to Bordeaux, bringing her expertise and enthusiasm to one of the world’s most renowned wine regions. Her journey began with an internship at a small winery, where she started in the tasting room and quickly became intrigued by the winemaking process. Her daily interactions with the cellar master and winemaker ignited a profound interest in winemaking. They mentored her, teaching her the intricacies of the craft, and nurturing her burgeoning talent.

By 2008, Stephanie had firmly established herself in the wine industry, steadily advancing to the role of head winemaker. Her growing reputation and expertise led to the inception of French Blue, a brand dedicated to producing exquisite Bordeaux wines that are both accessible and enjoyable for consumers. Starting with a delightful rosé, Stephanie expanded her repertoire to include a stunning sauvignon blanc, a sophisticated Bordeaux red blend, and two exceptional crémants.

Stephanie’s philosophy of “Good Food, No Fuss, and Great Wines” perfectly encapsulates her approach to winemaking. Her dedication and innovative spirit continue to bring the essence of Bordeaux to wine enthusiasts around the world, making French Blue a true testament to her talent and vision. I must say, I fell in love with the bubbles upon first sip and instantly knew these wines would be great.

The Crémant de Bordeaux is a lively and delicious brut thats crisp, mineral driven, and has that French elegance that is irresistible! White flowers, sweet almond, and some berries dance in the glass and continue from your nose to your palate while the taste is long lasting, refreshing, and simply stunning. This is a wine you can easily sip on its own anytime of day but it also pairs nicely with foods such as salads, cheeses, and seafood! The Crémant de Bordeaux Rosé I broke out after the tasting with Stephanie at a BBQ I was having with friends. It’s such a great gathering wine and everyone loved it especially with potato chips and dip, a fig and honey flatbread, and some shrimp cocktail. It’s the kind of crémant that just got with everything like the other brut except the berry notes and vanilla finish really make it just so perfect for bold flavored foods, ethnic cuisine, and even a sweeter dessert!

The Sauvignon Blanc honestly stole my heart, and I was so surprised because as much as I love a good Bordeaux Sauvy B… I just was really into the bubbly during the tasting. One sip of the Sauvignon Blanc and I was in heaven, I even told Stephanie it was one of the most friendly and approachable whites I have had in a while, it was so pleasant, refreshing and had hints of herbal notes, citrus, and a crisp-ness that’s absolutely addicting!

The Rosé, the flagship and French Blue’s first label boasts to be photographed with its exquisite pink color. Lots of orange blossom, red currants, and strawberry make this wine so alluring and such a perfect summer picnic wine. This one is ideal for any moment and will leave your tastebuds begging for some snacks because of its delicious, crisp, and fruity notes with a zing on the finish. This wine I had a sip of during the tasting but knew it was meant for the smoked chicken I was making the next day at the BBQ and that’s exactly what we paired!

The Bordeaux Rouge is a fun one, and went perfectly well with the burgers and hot dogs we had! This is an ideal BBQ wine and one that easily pairs well with meats and grilled veggies. Nice vanilla from the oak aging combined with black currants and cherries complete this rich, smooth, and seductive red!

I was excited to see these wines available Nationwide, especially here in Tennessee where they range from $15 to $25/bottle. For everyday drinking Bordeaux’s that’s a steal for this region, and I know I will happily drink French Blue all day any day. If you’re still celebrating summer which you should be, make sure French Blue is a new part of your celebrations, because these wines are so easy to drink, delicious, and a fantastic price.

Always remember, eat what you like and drink what you love. Please pair responsibly!