French Wine Regions

France is one of the most complex wine-growing countries and perhaps the most famous. It proudly claims to be the home of the world’s finest wines, and you’d be hard pushed to argue against that, particularly with the French themselves! What is absolutely true is that this is a country steeped in winemaking history, boasting some of the most beautiful and impressive vineyards with their influence found all over the world today.

Many of the country’s wine regions have been carved out over the course of several centuries and have their own fiercely proud reputations to protect and celebrate. These are regulated by what is known as the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée system, or AOC; a series of strict governing laws that control which grapes can be planted and the methods used to produce wine. It sounds complicated, but once you get a handle on it it’s relatively straightforward!

There are 3 levels of French wine appellations based on quality:

AOC – Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée. A defined geographical area with specific grape, quality and production method requirements.

IGP – Indication d’Origine Protégée. A wider geographical area with looser requirements.

VDF – Vin de France. A category that allows winemakers creative freedom to blend across varieties and styles, promoting both tradition and innovation.

Types of French Wine

France produces red, white, rosé and sparkling wines across a vast range of styles, quality levels and prices. They grow many of the best-known grape types, many of which originate from France. Grapes tend to be associated with a region in which they flourish.

Red Wine

Prominent regions for red wines in France include Bordeaux – the home of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the Rhône Valley known for its Syrah (or Shiraz) and Burgundy where you find Pinot Noir.

White Wine

France is well known for Chablis, located in Burgundy and made from Chardonnay grapes, and Vouvray which is in the Loire Valley and made using Chenin Blanc. Sauvignon Blanc is dominant in the Loire, Bordeaux and the South of France.

Rosé Wine

Provence dominates the rosé market in France. Classically this region uses Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre to produce pale pink, delicate rosé.

Sparkling Wine

Champagne is the most famous sparkling wine in the world but there is more that France has to offer. Crémant is French sparkling wine made using the traditional method outside the Champagne region. It can be found in many regions including the Loire, Bordeaux, Alsace and Burgundy.

From Champagne to Bordeaux, the Loire Valley to Provence and everything in-between here is an in-depth look at the top wine-producing regions in France.

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French Wine Regions Map

Champagne
Alsace
Burgundy
Jura & Savoie
Beaujolais
Rhône Valley
Provence
Corsica
Languedoc
South West
Bordeaux
Loire Valley
Champagne

An Introduction to Champagne

The very first region to produce sparkling wine and probably the most widely-known. It’s like the Coca Cola of wine in terms of branding! There are over 15,000 grape growers in Champagne today managing roughly 30,000 hectares – quite a small amount of land to share around. Grapes varieties here are dominated by classic Champagne blends with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier making up the vast majority of vineyards. Interestingly, only one in 12 sparkling bottles are actually made in Champagne, indicative of demand for other sparkling wines across the world in recent decades, particularly Prosecco.

Climate and Geography

Champagne is the most northerly wine region in France with a typically cool climate and hilly landscape. Growing grapes here can be problematic due to cold temperatures and can impact sufficient ripening. This means they tend to be highly acidic which is ideal for the ageing process required to make Champagnes we all know and love.

Red Varieties

Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

White Varieties

Chardonnay

Climate

Cool

Landscape

Hilly

Soil

Limestone, chalk

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Alsace

An Introduction To Alsace

Alsace historically has been a much disputed territory between France and Germany. The Germans liked it so much they even named it twice! Separated to the east by the River Rhine and to the west by the Vosges Mountains, it has a very unique geography and culture. So too are its wines. The region is known to have around 4,000 grape growers with 90% of wines being white, largely Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Blanc. Pinot Noir is the only red variety grown in significant volume. The remaining varieties are mostly indigenous.

Climate and Geography

Alsace has a cool climate and among the lowest annual rainfalls in France. Wines here are very aromatic with plenty of minerality, spiciness and acidic zing. By law all wines produced here are required to be bottled in tall, thin bottles called flutes.

Red Varieties

Pinot Noir

White Varieties

Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc

Climate

Cool

Landscape

Mountainous

Soil

Granite, sandstone, clay, limestone

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Burgundy

An Introduction to Burgundy

One of the most famous wine regions which is synonymous with some of the finest and most expensive wines on the planet. Traces of wine production here even date back to the times of Ancient Romans during their occupation of Gaul. Today, wines are principally made from either from Pinot Noir or Chardonnay varieties – strangely slim for an area with such a reputation! What makes Burgundy (also known as Bourgogne) unique however are the quality and styles of individual districts and villages within the region itself – Chablis being a famous example.

Climate and Geography

Burgundy has a cool, continental climate with hot summers, cold winters and large amounts of rainfall. This is largely why the area is limited to two main grape varieties as they are among the few which can thrive here. White wine styles are largely earthy with plenty of minerality and freshness with two key types of Chardonnay – oaked and unoaked – each with their own distinct qualities. Red Burgundy is packed with red fruit and herbaceous notes. Burgundy has some of the most complex wine laws not just in France but across the world with over 100 individual appellations.

Red Varieties

Pinot Noir, Gamay

White Varieties

Chardonnay

Climate

Cool, continental

Landscape

Hilly

Soil

Limestone, chalk

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Jura & Savoie

An Introduction to Jura and Savoie

These are relatively unknown regions in France but ones which produce an extremely wide range of wines relative to their size and status. Since the late 2000s, Jura in particular has caught the eyes and imaginations of sommeliers worldwide. Wines produced here are largely native varietals with Savagin the most distinctive white grape. Poulsard is the most widely planted red grape, with Trousseau another local speciality. Most vineyards here are situated on the foothills of the Jura mountains.

Climate and Geography

Savoie is located on the border of Switzerland and Italy with magnificent mountainous backdrops. It’s a real hidden gem with dramatic landscapes proving popular with both locals and tourists alike, particularly during the skiing season. Vineyards in Savoie are located along the River Rhône as it flows on its way towards the Rhône Valley. Popular red varieties include Gamay and Mondeuse. Jacquère and Rusette make up the region’s most popular wines with uniquely complex floral and mineral flavours.

Red Varieties

Poulsard, Trosseau, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Mondeuse

White Varieties

Savagnin, Jacquère, Chardonnay, Mondeuse

Climate

Cool, continental

Landscape

Mountainous, riverbank locations

Soil

Clay, gravel

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Beaujolais

An Introduction to Beaujolais

A hugely important region which has been taken through the ringer in recent times! Beaujolais wines are very unique and recognised for being easy drinking, easy going reds. As trends for big, powerful and complex red wines took over, unfortunately for Beaujolais it became a little forgotten about. It’s another region however which is steeped in history with winemaking monks dating back to the 7^th century. The good news is that it’s starting to see somewhat of a resurgence today.

Climate and Geography

As it’s virtually next door to Burgundy (some would argue it is part of Burgundy) the two have very similar climates, with Beaujolais slightly warmer. The landscape is made up primarily of rolling hills with a mix of granite, clay and limestone soils. Wines here are in the main solely made from the Gamay grape, which is distinctively fruity and packed with red fruit flavours. White wines are quite rare and made almost exclusively from Chardonnay.

Red Varieties

Gamay

White Varieties

Chardonnay

Climate

Moderate, continental

Landscape

Hilly

Soil

Granite, clay, limestone

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Rhône Valley

An Introduction to Rhône Valley

The River Rhône is one of the most important geographical landmarks in the whole of France. Along its banks lie the Northern and Southern Rhône wine regions which today are synonymous with fashionable, high-quality wines. They also host some of the most famous and popular appellations in the country, Châteauneuf-du-Pape arguably the most widely-known of all. The vast majority of all wine produced here is made within individual appellation laws – a clear indication of the high standards of wine coming out of the Rhône Valley.

Climate and Geography

The Northern and Southern Rhône produce very different wine styles. In the North, the primary red grape variety is Syrah, alongside very fine whites made with Viognier. The South is the powerhouse of the Rhône covering a far greater geographical area. It has built a reputation for producing spicy, high alcohol (and very drinkable) reds, but also luxurious whites and very enjoyable rosés. The principal red grape used here is Grenache, with Syrah and Mourvèdre also heavily used, largely in blends. Whites are in far less volume, Grenache Blanc being the most popular. Both regions have moderate climates, the North is more continental whilst the South has coastal influences.

Red Varieties

Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault

White Varieties

Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Rousanne

Climate

Moderate, continental, mediterranean

Landscape

Riverside locations, hilly

Soil

Granite, limestone, pebbles, sandstone

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Provence

An Introduction to Provence

The oldest wine producing region in France with plenty of Mediterranean romance! Provence has a uniquely rich heritage with many cultural influences over the past two millennia, ranging from the times of ancient Phocaeans in 600 BC to becoming a territory of Sardinia in the 19th century. As a result, it has a very distinctive range of wines. In Côtes de Provence (the main regional appellation) alone there are no fewer than 13 grape varieties. Most popular grapes include Cinsaut, Grenache and Syrah.

Climate and Geography

Provence is blessed with a warm, sun-drenched Mediterranean climate which is perfect for growing grapes. Over 80% of all wine made here is rosé, making it a true powerhouse of the pink wines we all love. Provence is the only region in the world to focus on the production of rosé – so much so it even has its own dedicated research centre! The remaining majority of wines are reds with a much smaller production of whites.

Red Varieties

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault

White Varieties

Grenache Blanc, Sémillon, Vermentino, Clariette, Marsanne

Climate

Mediterranean

Landscape

Coastal, mountainous

Soil

Limestone, clay

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Corsica

An Introduction to Corsica

Corsica is a mountainous island in the Mediterranean Sea between France and Italy. Despite being under French rule since the 18^th Century, it’s actually situated closer to Italy than it is to France – something that definitely shows in the region’s vino. Corsican wine is both increasing in quantity and improving in quality, now with nine specific AOCs inside its borders. Historically the Corsicans have kept a lot of their produce to themselves, however recent generations of winegrowers have begun sharing it with the rest of the world. Primary red grapes include Nielluccio (Sangiovese) and Sciacarello, a red grape unique to Corsica, while the primary white varietal is Vermentino, or Rolle as it’s known locally.

Climate and Geography

Corsica reaps the benefits of being situated in the Mediterranean Sea, enjoying warm weather, plentiful sunshine and less rainfall compared to mainland France. Wine districts of Patrimonio, Calvi, Ajaccio, Sartène and Figari are distributed down the western edge of the island, with Patrimonio and Ajaccio being the primary two. Patrimonio produces predominately Nielluccio reds and Vermentino whites within its chalky clay and limestone soils. Ajaccio, granted AOC status in 1984, produces a lot of Sciacarello in its granite soils, making for fruity reds and rosé with a distinct peppery flavour.

Red Varieties

Nielluccio (Sangiovese), Sciacarello, Grenache

White Varieties

Vermentino (Rolle)

Climate

Mediterranean

Landscape

Mountainous

Soil

Granite, chalk, limestone

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Languedoc

An Introduction to Languedoc-Roussillon

The engine room of France and the most important in terms of volume. It is also yet another French region with steep winemaking history dating back as early as 125BC. Today, 20,000 grape growers cultivate 200,000 hectare of vines in what is commonly known as the wild and rustic French countryside. Languedoc’s reputation has suffered in modern times with an unwanted tag of cheap, poor quality red wines. However, there has been somewhat of an uprising among serious winemakers more recently with the emergence of consistent quality wines.

Climate and Geography

Languedoc and Roussillon have quite different geography thus quite different wines. Languedoc’s vines are primarily planted on flat low lying plains, with better quality sites above sea level and on hillsides. Roussillon is slightly further south and closer to the warm, mountainous regions which separate France from Spain. Wines here are typically rustic, with its own specialty fortified wine, similar to Port.

Red Varieties

Carignan, Syrah, Bourboulenc

White Varieties

Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon

Climate

Moderate, maritime

Landscape

Coastal, riverbank locations

Soil

Limestone, sand, clay, gravel

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South West

An Introduction to the South West

This is the bottom left hand corner of France excluding Bordeaux and Cognac! Quite a large geographical area and the fifth largest in France with 120,000 acres. During the Middle Ages this part of the world was known as Gascony, ruled by the English for over 300 years. Even back then us Brits were big fans of the wine produced here and in neighbouring Bordeaux. The South West is steadily building up a reputation to grow out of the shadows looming over from next door!

Climate and Geography

The South West is a moderate climate region with coastal and continental influences. That said, producers here are split into a further four sub regions each with their own climates and specialities. These are the Bergerac & Dordogne River, Garonne & Tarn, Lot River and the Pyrenees. As you would expect, a much wider range of grape varieties are grown across these regions, making the South West an exciting and enticing proposition.

Red Varieties

Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tannat, Syrah, Gamay

White Varieties

Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Gros, Petit Menseng

Climate

Moderate, continental, coastal influences

Landscape

Hilly, mountainous

Soil

Limestone, clay, rocky

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Bordeaux

An Introduction to Bordeaux

Bordeaux is the powerhouse of French wine. Its famous châteaux are talked about around the globe and have built a reputation for fine red wines (sometimes referred to as Claret). The region is known to have 13,000 producers – quite a staggering amount – and are largely divided into two main areas split down the middle by the River Gironde, each with their own appellations and styles. 90% of Bordeaux wines are reds made with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with the remaining 10% primarily Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. The region also produces small quantities of sweet wine and sparkling, primarily Sauternes and Crémant.

Climate and Geography

Libournais, also known as the Right Bank, has rich clay soils and specialises in producing Merlot. In Medoc and Graves, known as the Left Bank, you can expect to see gravelly soils with high volumes of Cabernet Sauvignon. Both banks are close to the cooling effects of the sea and enjoy a unique climatic advantage other famous regions do not have. Lots of warm sunlight during the summer months, coupled with cool dry evenings, adds to the development of complex flavours. The best sites enjoy sloped vineyards, perfectly placed for good drainage and weather conditions.

Red Varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec

White Varieties

Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon

Climate

Moderate, maritime

Landscape

Coastal, riverbank locations

Soil

Limestone, sand, clay, gravel

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Loire Valley

An Introduction to the Loire Valley

Many people holiday here without knowing it is home to truly great wines. World famous Sancerre is based here, as well as other popular appellations in Pouilly-Fumé, Reuilly and Menetou Salon, all of which lie in the upper Loire and are famous for producing very high quality Sauvignon Blanc. In the middle Loire, Chenin Blanc is a widely planted grape, one which is often associated with rather ordinary wines, rightly or wrongly (we say wrongly!). And it doesn’t stop there. Of all the French wine regions the Loire produces the greatest diversity of wine styles, from mentioned dry whites to sparkling including Crémant, as well as speciality rosés, dessert wines and of course beautiful reds.

Climate and Geography

Over 4,000 wineries operate in the Loire Valley, which is spilt into three key areas – the upper, middle and lower Loire. Each has its own micro climate and soils which make it difficult to generalise the terroir. The lower Loire benefits from coastal influences of the Atlantic Ocean, whilst the middle and upper Loire are further inland. The region can be considered a moderate climate with both maritime and continental influences.

Red Varieties

Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

White Varieties

Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadet, Chenin Blanc

Climate

Moderate, maritime and continental

Landscape

Hilly, riverbank locations

Soil

Granite, volcanic

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