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