What Wine to Drink in Lyon (Based on Your Personal Tastes)
- wheelockmadeleine
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Wine lists in Lyon don’t make things easy if you’re used to ordering by grape. Hello old world!
Everything is organized by region, producers you may not know, and villages you’ve probably never heard of. It’s normal to feel a bit stuck.
The easiest way around that is to forget regions for a second and think about what you actually feel like drinking.
Something light? Something structured? Something a bit different?
Once you know that, Lyon becomes a very easy place to order wine... especially because you’re surrounded by some of the best regions in France.
Here’s a way to approach it, with wines you’ll actually see on lists, and what they really feel like when you’re drinking them.
Write down what appeals to you. The odds of seeing it on the wine list at your next Lyonnais dinner will be quite high!
If You Want Something Light and Easy (But Still Interesting)
If you like the rest of the world are starting more and more to enjoy a red on the lighter, brighter side (sorry Robert Parker), these villages might be for you.
Fleurie (Beaujolais)
Fleurie is the one that people fall into without trying. It’s soft, slightly floral, and easy to keep drinking without ever feeling heavy. If you’re sitting outside (or pretending it’s warm enough to), this is the kind of wine that disappears quickly.
Chiroubles (Beaujolais)
A bit more lifted and fresh than Fleurie. It has that light, almost airy quality where it feels more about energy than structure. Good if you want something that keeps your palate awake, especially with lighter food.
Arbois (Jura)
This is where things get a little more unpredictable in a good way. Arbois reds (often Trousseau or Poulsard with a bit of Pinot) can be light but slightly wild, sometimes earthy, sometimes a bit funky. It’s the kind of wine people order when they want something “different” without going too far.
If You Want Something Balanced and Versatile
These reds are the best way to introduce a tannin. Soft but hold some depth. Your perfect inbetween. I would consider these wines scrumptious.
Saint-Joseph (Rhône)
This is usually where I point people first. It has structure, a bit of spice, but it doesn’t overwhelm. It’s the kind of wine that works whether you’re halfway through your meal or just getting started.
Morgon (Beaujolais)
A step up from lighter Beaujolais. There’s more depth here, darker fruit, a bit more grip, but it still keeps that drinkability. If Fleurie feels too light, Morgon is the next move.
If You Want Something Bold and Structured
This is when you want the wine to feel like part of the meal, not just something alongside it.
Côte-Rôtie (Rhône)
Refined but powerful. You get dark fruit, pepper, and a kind of elegance that makes it feel a bit more serious without being heavy. It’s a good choice if you want something impressive without needing to explain it.
Cornas (Rhône)
More direct, more intense, and less polished. Cornas is dense, structured, and very Rhône. If you’re ordering something rich or slow-cooked, this holds its ground.
If You Want White Wine
White wines here are often better than people expect. If you say you dislike Chardonnay, think again. Burgundy is the OG and creates styles unique to the region you just might love.
Chablis (Burgundy)
Clean, sharp, and very precise. This is what you order when you want something refreshing that cuts through food rather than sitting on top of it.
Mâcon-Villages (Burgundy)
Rounder and more relaxed. Still Chardonnay, but softer edges, a bit more fruit. Easy to drink, easy to like, and works when you don’t want something too sharp.
If You Want Something a Bit Different
These are the wines that make people pause — either because they love them or because they weren’t expecting them.
Vin Jaune (Jura)
Not subtle. Nutty, oxidative, and very distinctive. This is the kind of wine you try once and remember, whether you end up loving it or not. Usually better with food than on its own. I almost didn't want to add this but maybe it will become someones favorite and then I can take credit.
Rousette de Savoie (Savoie)
Another white but it's far from a Bourgogne. Floral, fruity and fresh, almost alpine in feel. Very easy to drink, and great if you want something that doesn’t slow you down. This is cheeses best friend. To be paired with a thick fondue or melty racclette.
How to Use This in a Restaurant
You don’t need to remember everything here. You just need one reference point. If you say: “I like something like Morgon” or “something light, like a Beaujolais” that’s enough to get a good recommendation. That’s how most people are ordering, even if it doesn’t look like it.
Give trust in your sommeliers, know your personal tastes, and be open to try something new!
Want to Learn More? Want to Taste them All?
Join us at our next tasting HERE ! You will have the chance to tast 5 regional wines that sing the songs of the surrounding terroirs. And you may just find your next favorite!
Hungry?
Check out our restaurant recommendations HERE
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