I think it also depends quite heavily on where you are in the US. I've seen reasonably priced French wine in both Boston and Philadelphia (last two cities I visited), but outside the bigger cities it will probably take some research.

I was up in Portsmouth, NH not too long ago and went in a wine shop, told the owner I was visiting and really wanted a nice French red. Instead he tried to sell me a German Dornfelder. Needless to say I left empty handed.