Stein attacks 'bad' French wine

Rick Stein says the French are 'missing out' on fine international wines

TV chef Rick Stein has accused the French of losing their touch when it comes to appreciating wine.

French people would rather drink poor French wine than good international wine, Stein has told Radio Times.

However, the TV star, who has toured France for his new BBC series "A French Odyssey", praised the country's approach to eating and drinking.

Stein admitted France still produced the world's best wines, but said nine out of ten French wines were bad.

There is a lot of vin very ordinaire out there TV chef Rick Stein

The TV star, whose award-winning restaurant is based in Padstow, Cornwall, travelled the waterways of south-west France on a barge.

He was served reds that were "brown and old" and whites that were "dull and flat".

"There is a lot of vin very ordinaire out there" he says.

Stein blames French people for refusing to drink any wine other than their own.

They lack Britain's enthusiasm for international wines, preferring to "stick doggedly to their own stuff".

But he admires the French for their attitude towards eating and drinking.

They take time to savour a meal, he says, and are more controlled in their consumption of food and alcohol.