French wine regions, winery experiences & tours

France is undoubtedly one of the most important wine-producing countries in the world. It regularly produces more wine than any other country in terms of quantity and reputed quality.  

French winemakers are known around the world for their skill, grace, and dedication to the art of winemaking. It is ingrained in French culture at practically every level.  

The range of styles available, rather than the volume or prestige of French wine, is what makes it so appealing.  In the diversity of French wine, geology and topography play equal roles. The significant variation of soil types – and the landscapes that formed them – is reflected in the country's enormous number of independently designated wine regions and sub-regions.

In France's wine country, red grape varietals account for over 70% of vineyards, while white grape varieties account for 30%. The grape types used to make traditional wines in a region are determined by its terroir. Vignerons grow what was most suited to the local soils and climate, choosing from grape varietals' (sometimes restricted) choices accessible to them in the days before sophisticated vine management.

The appellation system of France was established in the early twentieth century and has since been copied by numerous other countries. It is a complicated legislation set that eventually determines each wine region's boundaries and establishes tight guidelines for winemaking. Its primary goals are to protect the appellations of French wines and to ensure the quality and origin of the products themselves.

The main wine areas of the French wine region map are Bordeaux, Burgundy, Languedoc, Champagne, the Loire Valley, Alsace, Rhône, Provence and Corsica. Each sub-region is defined by its own geographical qualities, which result in distinct characteristics in the wines produced there.

Use our itinerary planner to help plan, create, and book the ultimate wine tourism experience. You can choose to self-drive or pick a guided boutique wine tour with a local insider who's knowledge will enhance your regional experience.