9 Best Wine Regions in France

Famous for full-bodied reds and whites known for notes of tropical fruit, Bordeaux is one of France’s most famous wine regions and is celebrated for having approximately 53 sub-regions shaped by the unique microclimate and soil types.

Wine tasting is one of the top things to do in France and with a cultural history dating back to 300BC with the arrival of Celtic tribes, Bordeaux is a perfect place to explore the tradition. The region gained notoriety for its often-copied red blends, with admirers eager to capture the bold flavors of matching particular grape varietals.

Often paired with rich meats with lots of umami or powerful spices, Bordeaux as a wine region offers mouthwatering experiences with plenty of tasting opportunities.

Popular Wines from Bordeaux: Cabernet Franc • Petit Verdot • Château Margaux • Malbec • Château Cheval Blanc

Burgundy is a small but mighty wine region in France. Home to some of the world’s most expensive wines, the region also crafts tasty, economical varieties often overlooked or unknown to many outside of the European Union.

Known primarily for its pinot noir and chardonnay, the soil has taken on characteristics from ancient history, when the region was part of the vast tropical sea more than 200 million years ago.

With zesty minerals and fossilized sea creatures found beneath the vineyard, as well as a cultural history of winemaking dating back to first-century Romans, Burgundy is the embodiment of French vintner excellence and is protected by UNESCO status.

Popular Wines from Burgundy: Pinot Noir • Chardonnay • Pinot Gris • Sauvignon Blanc

France and champagne belong together, with the word champagne meant to embody a carbonated wine. In fact, it refers to a particular type of wine from the country’s Champagne region.

While wine has been part of the regional tradition since the 10th century, champagne’s discovery by a monk in the 17th century encouraged him to famously call out to his toiling brothers: “Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!”. This catapulted the wine to heightened status to become a pinnacle of elegance and exceptionality.

The word champagne became a catchall for sparkling wines, but true Champagne is a product of the French region, resulting in flavors specific to the structure and soil brought about by Champagne’s microclimates. You can indulge in “the stars” while exploring romantic things to do in Paris and France.

Popular Wines from Champagne: Pinot Meunier • Pinot Noir • Chardonnay

The 310 square miles of Loire Valley are known for the grand chateaux that make it one of the best places to visit in France, but the region is also celebrated for the diverse wine profiles that support the four main micro-producing regions in the area.

With maritime air, garden soils, riverbank moisture, and sunny hillsides, each section of the Loire Valley cultivates an exciting flavor often untasted by wine enthusiasts outside of France or the European Union.

With fruity-style white wines featuring aromas of citrus and tropical notes to surprisingly creamy textures found in France’s second-largest sparkling wine-producing region, the Loire Valley is an essential, yet exciting surprise for wine tasting when visiting France.

Popular Wines from Loire Valley: Melon de Bourgogne • Sauvignon Blanc • Chenin Blanc • Cabernet Franc

Wine history in the Rhône Valley can be traced back to the 7th century BC, with the region evolving to become one of the best-known purveyors of old-world wines in Europe. Twenty-seven unique grape varieties and over 5,000 producers span more than 175,444 acres.

With famous red wines known for bold spices or earthy aromas and white wines celebrated for having a fruit-forward approach, the Rhône Valley defies a singular expectation and definition, with characteristics taken from the nearby elements of the Mediterranean Sea, Rhône River, and hillside terraces.

Popular Wines from Rhône Valley: Côte-du-Rhône • Cornas • Saint-Joseph • Crozes-Hermitage • Hermitage • Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Alsace offers a unique combination of German grapes cultivated with French production, demonstrating the tangible drought history between the neighboring countries and the region on the border. While dry riesling is its most well-known varietal, the wines often hold a floral or peachy note, while still offering enough body to pair with hardier dishes.

Whether enjoying in summer or exploring why Alsace is one of the best places to visit in France in winter, the terraced vineyards overlooking the Rhine River and vines grounded along the river basin can quickly give way to the aromatic varietals and unctuous textures of the white wines that accentuate the region’s cultural diversity and celebrate local fairytale villages.

Popular Wines from Alsace: Riesling • Pinot Gris • Muscat • Gewurztraminer

Languedoc-Roussillon has a reputation for economical wines, and while the bottles may be less expensive than those from more famous regions, Languedoc-Roussillon produces stunning full-bodied reds, blends, and wines favored by those who prefer more fruit-forward drinking experiences.

The region has experienced a Renaissance of flavor, returning to its viticultural roots which date back to the fifth-century BC. With sub-regions spreading across classically Mediterranean climates, Atlantic influences, abundant sunshine, and mountainous terrain, Languedoc-Roussillon provides remarkable consistency, while offering incredible diversity. You will find aromas of lavender or sage, thyme or nuanced notes of coffee.

Popular Wines from Languedoc-Roussillon: Merlot • Cabernet Sauvignon • Sauvignon Blanc • Chardonnay • Syrah • Grenache • Carignan • Mourvedre

Jura and Savoie vintners are enthusiastic about their wines, their techniques blending old-world style with modern capabilities to produce the most compelling vintages possible. The alpine terrain offers plenty of microclimates, including areas touched by Mediterranean influence among slopes reaching over 1,800 feet above sea level.

With flavors ranging from honey and quince to strawberries and white pepper, the results can be electrifying.

Popular Wines from Jura & Savoie: Chardonnay • Chardonnay-Savagnin • Trousseau • Pinot Noir • Poulsard • Pinot Gris

Beaujolais is one of the few wine-producing regions in France that considers vintner tradition and heritage through the lens of fun and exploration.

Once considered part of the Burgundy wine-cultivating region, the small section of France has stepped out of the shadows and into its own light, producing delicious reds that often host notes of tart cherry or smoke, raspberries or forest floor.

Much like the region itself, the wines have their own distinct personalities, shaped by the climate, soil, altitude, and more, but with complexities that speak only to the charm, beauty, and enthusiasm of Beaujolais.

Popular Wines from Beaujolais: Gamay • Cote de Brouilly • Terres Dorees Beaujolais • Brouilly • Regnie

Every glass of wine in France can feel like an invitation into the richer traditions of a community and surrounding region. Local wines represent masterpieces undiscovered by travelers or celebrated alongside the charms of medieval towns and coastal villages.

No matter how you prefer to travel and enjoy the flavors of France, you can find inspiration for your trip with our sample food and wine tours in France. These can be personalized to your interests and goals. With authentic beauty and a wide spectrum of flavors, a travel specialist can help you discover new ideas for exploring the delights of vines around the world after you explore our food and wine travel guide.