The ultimate guide to France's best wine regions: what you need to know before you go

19.09.2024 - 14:41 / lonelyplanet.com / Dom Pérignon

Sep 19, 2024 • 6 min read

Nicola researched and wrote the Champagne chapter for the latest France guidebook. Here she shares all you need to know about France's most famous wine regions.

Gastronomy and wine go hand in hand. And it's no surprise that in a country famed for its cuisine, wine is also celebrated as another of life’s great pleasures.

Since the Greeks and Romans introduced vine-growing to France circa the 6th century BCE, France has been one of the most important places in the world for winemaking, from creating the famed Bordeaux blend to the legendary “discovery” of champagne by Dom Pérignon. It is now the second biggest wine-producing country in the world after Italy, although its wines are arguably more revered. Between 7 and 8 billion bottles of wine are produced annually from French vineyards as far north as Champagne, all the way down to Languedoc and the Côte d'Azur on the southern coastline.

Wine producers frequently talk about terroir, which not only includes the soil of a vineyard but also its geography, climate, and microclimate. These factors are part of what gives each wine its own distinct properties, and unlike other countries, French wines are usually named after the vineyard’s location rather than the grape.

You’ll also come across AOC (meaning Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée; the French equivalent to the Europe-wide AOP, Appellation d’Origine Protégée), often just called appellation, which indicates a quality wine from a region, sub-region, commune or village. Each appellation has its own strict rules about how the wine there can be made, from which grapes can be used to how long bottles must be aged before they can be opened.

Many wine producers happily open their doors for cellar visits and tastings (called a dégustation in French), from small family producers to world-famous houses. It’s interesting to do a mix of both if you can, but wherever you choose it’s always best to contact producers in advance to make a reservation – many have set times when they're available to greet guests. Start prepping your palate now with our guide to France's wine regions and how to visit them.

Best for world-famous reds

Home to centuries of winemaking, beautiful châteaux, and some of the most prestigious names in the world of fine wine, Bordeaux is one of the most famous wine regions in in the world. This region is known for its medium- to full-bodied red wines with fruity notes of blackcurrant and plums that can range from tart to sweet, and earthy aromas of wet gravel or pencil lead. However, you don't need to panic if you're visiting France on a budget – despite its esteemed reputation, you can find wines in Bordeaux at every price point.

There are 13 grape varieties allowed to be grown