Regions of France
Alsace (al-ZASS) — Located in northeastern France along the German border, Alsace is known for aromatic white wines — Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat — bottled in tall, slender flutes and labeled by grape variety, unlike most of France.
Beaujolais (boh-zhoh-LAY) — Just south of Burgundy, Beaujolais produces light, fruity reds from the Gamay grape. It is home to ten distinct Crus and the world-famous Beaujolais Nouveau, released each November.
Bordeaux (bor-DOH) — The world’s largest fine wine region, Bordeaux produces legendary red blends from Cabernet Sauvignon (Left Bank) and Merlot (Right Bank), along with celebrated dry whites and the great sweet wines of Sauternes.
Burgundy (BER-gun-dee) — Home to the world’s greatest Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, Burgundy is defined by its precise climat system — individually named vineyard plots classified across four quality tiers from Regional AOC to Grand Cru.
Champagne (sham-PAYN) — Northeast of Paris, Champagne produces the world’s most celebrated sparkling wines using the méthode Champenoise. Only wines from this strictly defined region may legally bear the Champagne name.
Corsica (Corse) (kor-SEE-kah) — The island of Corsica produces distinctive wines from native grapes — most notably Nielluccio (a cousin of Sangiovese) and Vermentino — shaped by a warm Mediterranean climate and rugged mountain terrain.
Jura (ZHOO-rah) — A small, rugged region in eastern France between Burgundy and Switzerland, Jura is known for unique wines including the oxidative vin jaune made from Savagnin, as well as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and vin de paille (straw wine).
Languedoc-Roussillon (LAHNG-dock roo-see-YON) — The largest wine-producing region in France by volume, stretching along the Mediterranean coast from the Rhône delta to the Spanish border. Once known primarily for bulk wine, the region now produces an exciting range of quality reds, whites and rosés.
Loire Valley (lwahr) — France’s longest river gives its name to a diverse wine region producing everything from the crisp Sauvignon Blancs of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé to the sparkling wines of Saumur and the sweet Chenin Blancs of Vouvray.
Provence (proh-VAHNSS) — France’s oldest wine region, established by the Greeks around 600 BC, Provence is synonymous with dry, elegant rosé — the most famous in the world — alongside red and white wines from sun-drenched Mediterranean vineyards.
Rhône Valley (rohn) — Running south from Lyon, the Rhône Valley divides into a Northern Rhône — known for powerful Syrah-based reds and Viognier whites — and a broader Southern Rhône, home to the Grenache-based blends of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Savoie (sah-VWAH) — A small, niche, mountainous region located in eastern France near the Alps. Known for crisp, refreshing, high-altitude white wines made from local grapes like Jacquère and Altesse, and meant to be enjoyed young.
Sud Ouest (sood-WEST) — The “Southwest” is a loosely defined collection of appellations in the shadow of Bordeaux and the Pyrenees, producing distinctive wines from local grape varieties including Malbec (Cahors), Tannat (Madiran) and the rare varieties of Gascony.