The wine regions of France
France is still wine country number one.
For many people, wine is equivalent to French wine. Although delicious wines are made in many other places in the world, there is no country that has so many natural conditions to make so many different types of quality wine. The diversity of grapes, soil types and climates are enormous. Use the overview below to discover the wines of the most important wine regions of France.
The red wine from Australia is for the most part made from the Shiraz grape. This grape is also the most planted in Australia. ParticularFrance has many different types of wine regions. These individual wine regions are again part of larger wine regions. The most important major wine regions of France are:
Bordeaux
Champagne
Burgundy
Alsace (Alsace)
The Loire
The Rhone
Languedoc-Roussillon
Aix en Provence
The Aix en Provence wine region is in the South-East of France on the Mediterranean Sea. The vast majority of wines from Provence is Rosé wines. It is the only wine region that focuses so exclusively on Rosé. The Mourvèdre grape is the most planted in this area.
Aloxe-Corton
Just like Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, the round hills of Aloxe-Corton are perfect for viticulture. In this region almost exclusively, red wines are made. White wines from this region are very rare. The grape of this region is of course the Pinot Noir.
Andlau
Andlau is in Alsace. It is a typical traditional village focused on tourism and viticulture. Andlau has only 86 hectares of vineyards in a narrow valley. Geology is rather complex, and the three Grand Crus have a different style. Wiebelsberg is the largest Grand Cru.
Bandol
Bandol is a wine region located along the east coast of Marseille and Cassis. It is internationally one of the most recognized regions of Provence where delicious wine is made. The Bandol AOC consists of 8 municipalities.
Banyuls
Banyuls is a wine region in southern France located near the Mediterranean Sea. A well-known sweet wine (vin doux naturels) is produced in this region. The wines that are made are whole. The young wines look like port or madeira.
Bonnezeaux
Bonnezeaux is, together with Quarts de Chaume and Coteaux du Layon, the best-known area for beautiful sweet Loire wines. Made from the Chenin Blanc grape, with “pourriture noble” – grapes dried by noble rot.
Bordeaux Supérieur
Many people think that Bordeaux Supérieur is a sub-category of the general Bordeaux appellation, while it is a unique appellation for both white and red wines. The red Bordeaux Supérieurs have a slightly higher alcohol percentage
Bourgueil
Bourgueil is a wine region that is in the south of the Loire. It is a popular region because the villages are very beautiful and cozy. The wine region is narrow and runs west along the Loire River. Seven municipalities are part of the Bourgueil appellation:
Brouilly
Brouilly is the southernmost crus of the Beaujolais. A crus is a wine village that is allowed to conduct its own appellation because they have proven their quality and individuality. Brouilly is a medium-sized village with a good 1200 ha of vineyard.
Cadilllac
Cadillac is a village just below Bordeaux in the South West of France. The village has gained fame through the production of white wines with grapes with Botrytis. The drop is on the Garonne along with the other wine villages Cerons and Loupiac.
Chablis
White wines from Burgundy are considered by many enthusiasts to be the most refined wines in the world. Chablis wines are always made from 100% Chardonnay. There are many wine drinkers who are lyrical about these wines.
Chambolle-Musigny
Chambolle-Musigny is a red wine, often regarded as the most “feminine” wine of the Côte de Nuits; its intensity and delicacy express themselves with elegance and subtlety. To the eye, it presents a bright ruby hue with luminous highlights.
Champagne
For many people, good champagne cannot be compared to other wines. Champagne is a sparkling wine that is produced in the area of the same name in France. Most champagne is white (and the most famous) but there is also rosé champagne.
Château Grillet
Château Grillet is a small AOC of only 4 hectares. The wine region is part of the large Condrieu. The vineyards are like terraces on the hill so that they are protected from the wind. The vineyards are planted with viognier.
Châteauneuf du Pape
The Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an appellation from the Rhône valley. The wines from this area have an impeccable reputation. The name Châteauneuf-du-Pape comes from a famous French wine village on the banks of the Rhone.
Chinon
Chinon is the appellation covering wines produced around the historic town of Chinon, in the central Loire Valley. This area has been producing wine for many centuries, and although wines of all three colors are made there, the focus is now very clearly on red wines.
Clairette de Die
Clairette de Die is a sparkling wine from the southern French Rhone region. Against the imposing foothills of the Alps and in the valley of the river Drôme, lie the magnificent vineyards of the Clairette de Die.
Condrieu
Condrieu, about 40 km south of Lyon on the right bank of the Rhone, is the main source of white wine in the northern Rhône. The wines that come from here are always made from 100% viognier. The vineyards (± 168 ha in 2013) lie parallel to
Corbieres
The Corbières is one of the wildest areas of France with one of the lowest population densities. It is picturesque with wine growing areas interspersed with garrigues and mountainous landscape. It is mainly located in the Aude
Cornas
Cornas is a special wine region within the Rhone Valley. It is also called the black sheep of the region. The fact is that the wines from Cornas in the 18th century had a very good reputation. Now, areas such as Hermitage and Cote Rotie
Costières de Nimes
The Costières de Nimes vineyard is in southern France, in the Gard department, north of the Camargues, southeast of Nimes. The wine region is located on the right bank of the Rhone on the hills of 24 municipalities.
Côte Chalonnaise
The Côte Chalonnaise is a French wine region located in the department of Saône-et-Loire, north and south of the municipality of Chalon-sur-Saône. The region (together with the Basse-Burgundy, Côte de Nuits,
Côte de Beaune
The vineyards of the Côte de Beaune are located around the town of Beaune, Pommard, Volnay and Meursault. It is not easy to characterize the wines as a region. They are rather different. For example, the wines from Pommard
Côte de Nuits
Tastes differ but for many wine lovers from Burgundy the wines from the Côte de Nuits find the best. The vineyards are located on large monastery lands. The way in which the Pinot Noir grows here, ripens and how wine is made from it, is not matched anywhere else in the world.
Cote des Bar
Cuesta constituting the southern part of the Côte des Barrois, the winegrowing Barrois is located between the open Barrois Champagne and the forest of Barrois Champagne . It corresponds to an area where the limestone
Cote des Blancs
The Côte des Blancs is an area of Champagne vineyards. Located in the department of Marne, it lies south of Epernay, stretches for about 20 km, and had a vineyard area of 3,313 hectares (8,190 acres) in 2006.
Côte Rôtie
The Côte Rôtie, with its sun-drenched slopes, produces a warm, robust, aromatic and richly colored red wine. Slightly rough and dark in their early years, these wines become softer and develop a beautiful bouquet
Coteaux du Languedoc
Coteaux du Languedoc has a very long history. The Greeks planted there probably the first vine in France. It was 500 years B.C. A long time before the Romans, although they dramatically improved the wine making process themselves.
Coteaux du Tricastin
The AOC Coteaux du Tricastin is in the Drôme department between the towns of Montélimar, Gragnan and Suze-la-Rousse. It is located on the left bank of the Rhône. The harvest falls between mid-September and mid-October.
Cotes de Bourg
Côtes de Bourg is an Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) for Bordeaux wine situated around the small town of Bourg-sur-Gironde near Bordeaux, France. The first vineyards in the area were founded by the Romans.
Côtes de Castillon
Côtes de Castillon is an appellation that is now becoming very popular as a testing ground for the large and well-known winemakers in the Saint-Emilion. The quality was already high, and with this it gets better and better,
Cotes de Provence
The terroir of the Côtes de Provence appellation is as beautiful for its vines as it is at their roots. The sub-soil represents complex geology that is particularly conducive to wine-making. Two large geological areas coexist in Côtes de Provence:
Cotes du Luberon
Cotes du Luberon is like the AOC Cotes du Ventoux. The area consists of 4000 hectares of vineyard. The vineyards are beautifully situated in and on the hill surrounded by Lavender and characteristic Provencal villages.
Côtes du Rhône
After Bordeaux, Côtes du Rhône is the largest wine region with no less than 35,000 hectares of vineyards. Mainly red wines (95%) are produced. The differences in soil, microclimate and grape varieties give great diversity in the wines.
Côtes du Ventoux
The AOC Côtes du Ventoux is in the eastern Rhone region in the department of Vaucluse. It is in the vicinity of the towns of Carpentras, Apt, Pernes-les-Fontaines and Malaucène and Mont Ventoux (the giant of Provence). 51 municipalities are part of the AOC area.
Côtes du Vivarais
The AOC area Côtes du Vivarais is situated on the border of the Rhône valley and the Cevennes. It is in the Ardèche department. In the past, only table wines were made here because of the high production per hectare.
Cremant de Bourgogne
Cremant de Bourgogne is one of the best sparkling wines in the world. The wine has a high quality and a very nice advantage that the prices of these wines are very attractive. Crémant de Bourgogne is made according to the same method
Cremant de Loire
Crémant is sparkling wine from France and other French-speaking areas. Those from the Loire Valley are called Crémant de Loire. The wine is made according to the method traditionally. The production method is apart from a
Crozes Hermitage
Crozes-Hermitage is a wine-growing region in the Rhône, named after the village of the same name. AOC in 1937 for red and white wine. The vines grow on the left bank of the river. The wine-growing region is the largest appellation
The Beaujolais
The Beaujolais is known to many for its Beaujolais scoop. A pity, because the Beaujolais has much more to offer than this easy-to-drink wine. The wines of the Beaujolais distinguish four levels, namely (in order of increasing quality):.
Burgundy
Burgundy, together with Bordeaux, is the most famous wine region in France and the world. Burgundy produces red and white wines that belong to the absolute top of the world. Pinot Noir is mainly used for red wine. The white wines are usually made from Chardonnay.
Alsace
Alsace is a wine region with its own identity. Characteristics for the wines are that they almost all consist of one grape variety. That is now something we see all over the world, but traditionally this was characteristic of this region.
Entre-Deux-Mers
Entre-Deux-Mers is a wine region in France between the two rivers Dordogne and Garonne. The name “Entre-Deux-Mers” literally means “between two seas,” which is probably since the ebb and flow of the Atlantic Ocean can still be
Fixin
Fixin wine is produced in the communes of Fixin and Brochon in the Côte de Nuits subregion of Burgundy. The Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) Fixin may be used for red and white wine with respectively Pinot noir and
Fleurie
Fleurie is a well known Cru Beaujolais wine appellation for red wines from the Gamay grape variety. The wines are some of the most highly regarded in the region, which is sometimes referred to as “The Queen of Beaujolais”.
Fronsac
Fronsac is an appellation for red wines based on Merlot, produced in an area in the east of the Bordeaux wine region. It is located close to the northern bank of the Dordogne river, just a few miles to the west of Libourne –
Gevrey-Chambertin
The wines of Gevrey-Chambertin show the quality of the Cote de Nuits in a special way. Without debate they belong to the best Pinot Noir wines in the world. The aromas of the wines are reminiscent of plums, game and chocolate.
Gigondas
Gigondas is often undervalued as a wine region. Several large wines are produced in the Gigondas. The prices of Gigondas wine have risen but you still get value for money. In addition, the Gigondas is one of the most beautiful wine regions of the Rhône Valley.
Givry
Givry is a small village in the Cote Chalonnaise sub-region of Burgundy. It is one of five Chalonnaise communal titles and produces mainly red wines from the Pinot Noir grape variety. The appellation’s relatively rare
Grand Cru Chablis
The Chablis region of Burgundy is classified according to four tiers of Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) designation. The top two are the crus of Chablis and include the 7 Grand cru vineyards followed by the lower Premier crus.
Graves
Graves (French: [ɡʁav], gravelly land) is an important subregion of the Bordeaux wine region. Graves is situated on the left bank of the Garonne River, in the upstream part of the region, southeast of the city Bordeaux
Haut-Médoc
The Haut-Médoc is a region south of the Medoc. 5 Grands Crus Classés are located within this area. The smaller apple stations fall under this AOC: Pauillac, Margaux, Saint Julien, Saint Estèphe. Haut Médoc wines have a world reputation
Hermitage
The slope of “l’Hermitage” dominates the town of Tain l’Hermitage. The first plantation dates to the 10th century, but it is under Louis XIV that l’Hermitage receives his nobility letters … It was the favorite wine at the court of the Russian czars.
Juliénas
Juliénas is part of the Mâconnais on the border of the Saône and Loire and is therefore part of the Beaujolais. The village is small, has around 800 inhabitants and is around 15 km from Mâcon and 60 km from Lyon.
Lalande de Pomerol
Lalande-de-Pomerol is in the same area as the famous and larger Pomerol. The two areas are only separated by a narrow river Barbanne. It is a municipality in the French department of Gironde and has 614 inhabitants.
Languedoc
This area was formerly called the wine shed of France, because of the large amount of bad wines that were made there. Since the 70s, the amount has fallen, and the level has risen. The area is still developing positively.
Languedoc-Roussillon
The Languedoc – Roussillon stretches from the Rhone to the Spanish border and is therefore five times as large as the Australian wine area. The area is extremely diverse geographically and geologically: an extensive arsenal of unique terroirs
Limoux
Limoux wine is produced around the city of Limoux in Languedoc in southwestern France. Limoux wine is produced under four Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) designations: Blanquette de Limoux, Blanquette méthode ancestrale,
Lirac
An appellation that extends across 3 municipalities in the Gard (Lirac, Saint Laurent des Arbes and Roquemaure). Viticulture has been found here for 2000 years, especially around the old town of Roquemaure.
Maconia
Mâconnais is a wine-growing region in France, located to the west and northwest of the city of Mâcon on the banks of the River Saône. it covers an area of 50 by 15 km. The wine-growing region has parallel hill ridges that run from North to South.
Margaux
Margaux, one of the largest appellations in Médoc, is world famous. No less than 1400 hectares are planted in the villages of Arsac, Labarde, Cantenac, Soussans and Maurgaux itself. With 21 classified Châteaux including the
Marsannay
Marsannay wine is produced in the communes of Marsannay-la-Côte, Couchey and Chenôve in the Côte de Nuits subregion of Burgundy. The Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) Marsannay may be used for red and rosé wine with Pinot noir,
Maury
Maury is a town in northern Roussillon, in the far south of France. Its name is best known as an appellation for the sweet vins doux naturels produced around the town, although in 2011 the separate Maury Sec AOC came into force for
Médoc
The Médoc district of Bordeaux is an area of coastal lagoons, sand dunes and pine forests located on the 45th parallel. It is also a global wine powerhouse, and home to four of the world’s most prestigious wine villages: Pauillac, Margaux, Saint-Estèphe and Saint-Julien.
Menetou Salon
Menetou-Salon is a village at the eastern end of the Loire Valley wine region of France. It has its own Menetou-Salon appellation, covering white, red and rose wines made from Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Mercurey
Mercurey is a village in the Côte Chalonnaise sub-region of Burgundy. It is one of the five communal titles of the Chalonnaise and produces predominantly red wines from the Pinot Noir grape variety.
Meursault wine
Meursault wine is counted among the top of the white burgundy wines. The vineyards around the village of Meursault produce quality wines that are rich but at the same time very refreshing. No grand crus can be found within this appellation.
Monbazillac
Monbazillac is a wine region (or appellation) where sweet wines are made. The region can be found in the larger wine region of Bergerac, in southern France. The wines are called noble sweet because they are made wine grapes that are affected
Montagne de Reims
Mercurey is a village in the Côte Chalonnaise sub-region of Burgundy. It is one of the five communal titles of the Chalonnaise and produces predominantly red wines from the Pinot Noir grape variety.
Montagny
The municipality of Montagny, with its own designation of origin, can be found in the Côte Chalonnaise, which is also home to Bouzeron, Rully, Mercurey and Givry. It is the southernmost municipality of Burgundy.
Moulin-à-Vent
Moulin-a-Vent is arguably the most noteworthy of the ten Beaujolais crus, located in the very north of the Beaujolais region. Moulin-a-Vent wines, made from the Gamay grape variety, are known for being some of the most concentrated and tannic
Moulis
Moulis-en-Medoc is a small village in the Haut-Medoc district of Bordeaux in south-western France. It gives its name to the Moulis appellation, which covers red wines produced from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Carmenere, Petit Verdot and Malbec.
NUITS-SAINT-GEORGES
Nuits-Saint-Georges is a municipality in the French department of Côte-d’Or (Burgundy region) and has 5335 inhabitants (2004). The place is part of the Beaune district. The Côte de Nuits is the most northerly region of France
PAUILLAC
Pauillac is considered by many to be the capital of the wine of the Médoc. The place is part of the Lesparre-Médoc district. The municipality is especially famous for the three premiers’ crus: Château Mouton-Rothschild, Château Lafite-Rothschild and Château Latour.
PAYS D’OC
Languedoc Roussillon, in the South of France. The red, Vin de pays wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon area on the Mediterranean Sea are spicy and charming, best if they are drunk young.
Pessac-Léognan
Pessac-Léognan is a prestigious appellation for red wine in the Bordeaux region of south-western France. It was carved out of the Graves sub-region in 1987 as recognition for its high quality red and white wines.
Quincy
Quincy is a village in the east of the Loire wine region of France, with its own appellation for dry white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc. One of a small group of appellations around the town of Bourges (including nearby Menetou-Salon and Reuilly),
Rivesaltes
Rivesaltes is the largest AOC for sweet red wine in Côtes du Roussillon. The French designation for these wines is vins doux naturels. Rivesaltes (both the region and the city) is part of the Côtes du Roussillon and lies west of the Mediterranean Sea.
Rosé d’Anjou
Rose d’Anjou is an appellation for rosé wines from the Anjou district of France’s western Loire Valley wine region. Generally associated with over-sweet roses made predominantly from Grolleau Noir, the appellation is now declining in
Rully
Rully is in a northern commune of the Cote Chalonnaise sub-region of Burgundy, eastern France. The village’s appellation extends to neighboring Chagny and covers both red and white wines. Typically Burgundian, Rully’s red
Saint Amour
Saint-Amour is the most northerly of the ten Beaujolais cru areas, located just to the south of the Maconnais appellations of Pouilly-Fuisse and Saint-Veran. Saint-Amour wines are among the lightest of the Beaujolais crus, often displaying spiced berry
Saint Chinian
Saint Chinian is a beautiful hilly and green region where the most beautiful AOC wines are produced. Here the typical Languedoc climate prevails. This ensures warm, dry summers with lots of sun and wind. Rainy days are very exceptional here
Saint Emilion
Saint-Émilion is a key wine town in the Libournais district of Bordeaux, important in terms of both quality and quantity. It lies just a few miles north of the Dordogne, in the final stages of the river’s journey from the hills of the Massif Central to the
Saint Emilion Grand Cru
The Saint Emilion is without a doubt one of the most renowned wine regions in the world. The grape variety that is mainly used in the Saint Emilion is the Merlot. This creates wines with a velvety character and a good structure.
SAINT VERAN
Saint-Véran is an appellation for dry white wines produced in the southern half of the Mâconnais sub-region of Burgundy. The appellation is split into two sections by the vineyards of Pouilly-Fuissé. Both lie in the chain of hills in which the
SAINT JOSEPH
Red and white wines are made in Saint-Joseph. The region is less well-known than the surrounding regions, but good red wines are made. The red wines are of course made from Syrah. The wines have the aroma of black currants.
SAINT-PÉRAY
The vineyard extends over two municipalities, Saint-Péray and Toulaud in the Ardèche department. It is located on the right bank of the Rhône. The AOC Saint-Péray applies to both white wines and sparkling wines.
SANCERRE WINE
Sancerre is best known for its beautiful dry white wines. The Sancerre wine region is located on the banks of the Loire River. The area is famous for its delicious fresh wines from the Sauvignon blanc. In other places this grape is
SANTENAY
Santenay is a prestigious wine region in Burgundy. Ninety percent of the wine from this area is red and made from the Pinot Noir grape. It is the southernmost red wine from the Côte de Beaune. In the taste and smell, the wines have blackcurrants
SAUMUR
The red wines and rosés from Anjou-Saumur. The red wines, made from Cabernet Franc and Gamay grapes, bear the names Anjou, Saumur
SAUTERNES
Sauternes and Barsac are two wine regions in the south of the Graves in Bordeaux. Delicious exclusive sweet white wines are produced in these areas. The wines here are made from the Sémillon and Sauvignon
SAVENNIÈRES
The Savennières appellation is located on the banks of the Loire, on the lower reaches of the Angers. Savennières likes discretion a lot. Yet it is the undisputed wine pearl of the right bank of the Loire. The vineyards are oriented to the
SAVIGNY-LES-BEAUNE
Savigny-lès-Beaune is a large village in the Côte de Beaune sub-region of Burgundy, nestled between the hillsides of a sub-valley in the Côte d’Or escarpment. The last part of the name reflects the village’s location;
ST-AUBIN
Saint-Aubin is a village in the Côte de Beaune sub-region of Burgundy, nestled between the hillsides of a sub-valley in the Côte d’Or escarpment, known for both red and (mainly) white wines from the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape varieties.
TAVEL
The vineyards are located on the territory of the municipality of Tavel, on the right bank of the Rhone. The designation of origin Tavel has given its name to a rose, “La Rose de Tavel”, which is a true ambassador of the “first rosé wine of France”.
TOURAINE
The best red Loire wines come from the Touraine wine region. They are fresh and usually made from Cabernet Franc or from the lesser-known Breton grape. characteristic of the wines is that they are light and can easily be combined with food.
VACQUEYRAS
Vacqueyras is a dreamy village in the Vaucluse, east of Orange. The village is proud of the troubadour Raimbaut, who conquered France hundreds of years ago from Vacqueyras. He is honored with a bust that you can find at the
VALLÉE DE LA MARNE
Part of the Champagne region, the Marne Valley extends from the city of Tours-sur-Marne to Château-Thierry. It stretches over one hundred kilometers and two French ‘départements’, the Marne and the Aisne, all the way to the limits of Seine-et-Marne.
VIRÉ-CLESSÉ
Viré-Clessé is a relatively new appellation in the Maconnais region of southern Burgundy and the most recently created of the region’s communal titles. Viré-Clessé wines are produced exclusively from the Chardonnay grape variety.
VOLNAY
Volnay is a village in the Côte de Beaune sub-region of Burgundy, renowned for making some of the smoothest, most delicate Pinot Noir wines of the southern Côte d’Or. It is located between Pommard (famous for its powerful reds) and Meursault (the home of rich whites),
VOUGEOT
Vougeot is a commune right at the heart of Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits wine district. The tiny village, wedged between Vosne-Romanee and Chambolle-Musigny, is home to four Premier Cru sites and one of Burgundy’s largest Grand Cru vineyards, the Clos de Vougeot.
VOUVRAY
Vouvray is the most famous and most respected appellation of the Loire Valley’s Touraine growing region. The title covers white wines of various styles (sweet wine, dry, still and sparkling), from eight villages around the medieval town of Vouvray, on the northern banks of the Loire river.
