The Best Wine Regions of France

Explore the beauties and local flavors of the wine regions of France.

It is no secret that wine is an integral part of the life and culture of the French. With a diverse climate, France has become the ideal place to harvest an impressive variety of grapes, which has made French wine one of the most revered in the world.

To get an idea, the country produces, on average, 4.6 billion liters of different types of wine, from the simplest to the most sophisticated. Therefore, what is not lacking are wine regions to explore in French territory.

Before you start to explore the wine regions of France , remember that a smaller and more humble producer can create a fantastic drink. Another, with a larger structure, can produce a wine with a more affordable value.

It does not matter if you just want to be dazzled by the charm of the wineries, many of them located in old castles, or you are looking for the perfect wine among the various labels: an oenological journey through France is always charming.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux in southwest France is undoubtedly one of the most important wine regions in the world. Therefore, it is a must stop for lovers of good wine. Today, on the site, there are more than 7,000 palaces – or châteaus, as they are known – that produce more than 900 million bottles per crop. The region is responsible for some of the rarest labels in the world, made from many varieties of grapes, mainly merlot and cabernet.

The moderate, stabilized oceanic climate of Bordeaux is responsible for the result: complex and elegant wines. The city and its surroundings, with bohemian airs, also offer many attractions to enjoy. Perfect walks, of course, to be harmonized with a good glass of wine.

Champagne

Have you ever wondered why French wine is so famous? Part of its success comes from producers of the prestigious champagnes, made from Pinot Noir grapes, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. It is no wonder that the region of Champagne , to the north of France , has its name associated with the drink.

The cold temperatures cause late ripening of the grapes, causing them to have a high degree of acidity. These characteristics along the local limestone soil give rise to one of the best sparkling wines in the world. To give you an idea, the region currently produces about 300 million bottles per year.

Provence

Between beautiful hills and the famous lavender fields, the sun shines for 300 days a year in beautiful Provence , in the south of France . In addition to its evident beauty, the region is famous for its wines, especially rosé, which represents almost 88% of the production. Full bodied, delicate and with a slight taste, they are faithful representatives of all the charm of the Mediterranean climate. Discovering the wines and stories of the Provence coast is a quite unique experience.

Bergerac

The wines of Bergerac in southwestern France are very similar to those found in neighboring Bordeaux , but with one advantage: the values ​​outweigh it. The varieties of grapes are quite similar in the production of dried reds, whites and rosés. There are famous labels and some producers allow, in addition to a visit to the wineries, staying on the estates to closely monitor the manufacture of famous drinks.

Burgundy

The wine-producing region of Burgundy in the center of eastern France not only has an excellent reputation for wine production but is also home for some of the country’s most expensive wine labels. The merit was won thanks to the centuries-old work of monks who inhabited the region and who delineated their vineyards in a perfect and traditional way.

In Burgundy , only two types of grapes are used, Chardonay for white wines, and Pinot Noir for reds. And, a friendly tip: if you’re in Burgundy , do not forget to stop in the city of Dijon and taste another very famous product there, the delicious mustard.

Alsace

It is not only the wine that is successful in Alsace, a region in the east of France and located near the borders of Germany and Switzerland . Do you know those villages with charming little houses and castles that seem to have come out of a fairy tale? The place is packed with them and even served as inspiration for some of the stories we love. But, returning to the wines, the ones that stand out are the whites – in fact, the best labels in the world are produced in the villages of the region.

Alsace wines tend to be fruitful and refreshing and only 10% of them are red. White and sparkling wines are produced from Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Sylvaner, Pinot Gris and Muscat grapes. Nothing better than tasting one of them next to the picturesque local landscape.

Loire Valley

A real dream! Few regions in the world are as beautiful as the Loire Valley , about two hours from Paris . Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it gathers castles, medieval, historic towns, flower gardens, great forests and lots of quality wine.

The labels produced in the region are mostly white, made from Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc grapes. It is the ideal place to combine a wine tasting with the romantic scenery of beautiful castles in the background.