The 7 Wine Regions Every Wine Connoisseur Should Visit In France
France has some of the most renowned wine producing regions globally that offer exclusive and famous wines for people with a desire for wine tasting.
Here is a list of the best 7 places to visit in France to ensure you get the best wines as you enjoy your wine tour adventure.
Gastronomes and wine lovers are often amazed to learn that France, certainly the world’s most famous wine producing country, is home to around two hundred distinct wine producing regions.
In this article, we will provide an overview of the top French wine regions.
France has remained one of the oldest wine producers in the world, with evidence of wine production dating back to over 2000 years due to the favorable climate that favors the production of wine grapes.
French wines are accompanied by a classification system (AOC), which means that wines made in different regions of France are to contain characteristics that distinguish the area in which the grapes are grown.
To be a wine taster in France, it is essential to visit some of the famous wine regions to learn more about French wines.
The Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is one of the most picturesque areas in France and is home to elegant white wines and sparkling wines.
This is a wine region that skirts along the longest river in France and is famous for its excellent white and sparkling wines.
There are more than 50 grape varieties cultivated here, and you can try the wines that are fresh, mineral, and very invigorating such as Muscadet or fruity, complex and floral wines like Chenin Blanc.
Do not let that pass you by without giving their traditional method sparkling wines some attention as well.
Burgundy
Burgundy wines are produced from two grapes – the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. Burgundy is the district which produces two famous French wines: Pinot Noir reds which are delicate, complex and capable of aging and Chardonnay whites which are rich, layered wine.
Two of the two sub-regions where you can get the Grand Cru wines from the old vineyards that are located in the centuries old towns such as Gevrey-Chambertin and Puligny-Montrachet.
Bordeaux
Any top overview of French wine regions for their quality is unimaginable without Bordeaux, a world famous region.
The Bordeaux red wines are made by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines, and they are supposed wines with a firm structure but mellow medium to full-bodied wines that are highly flavored with dark fruits and which has the capacity to age for decades.
Enjoy the Médoc, the wine appreciation village of Saint-Émilion and the vineyards of Pomerol for classified growth red wine blends from the Châteaux.
Rhône’s valley
This wine region is divided into two distinct areas: the Rhône Valley, which can be classified into bold red and white Rhônes.
Rhône’s valley stands out as one of the best places for Syrah and Grenache based red wines with pepper meaty and full-bodied flavors.
The main types are much more distinct and come from the northern and southern part of Rhône, where it is fruity to much more in complexity.
Their Viognier, and Marsanne Roussanne blends also need similar attention as any wine lover or any person interested in wines.
Languedoc-Roussillon
The wines of this region come in all sorts of styles. Languedoc-Roussillon is the largest wine region of France and is very versatile when it comes to the grape variety and wines produced here.
Indulge in hearty red wines in Carignan, Grenache and Syrah or fresh aromatic whites in Picpoul, Viognier, and Vermentino wines besides Rosés and natural wines.
Here, there are certain wines with almost a third of the vineyard coverage in France and every wine lover will be interested in they have to offer.
Provence
Provence region is mainly associated with dry French Rosés and they contribute to almost 90 percent Provence production.
Drinking these very dry sparkling wines with notes of wild strawberry and ripe lemon peel while lounging in the sun is the essence of this beautiful southern wine country.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rasteau, Gigondas, Lirac and Vacqueyras are populaires pour Provençal Rosés.
Alsace
Situated near Germany, Alsace region offers excellent value and flavorsome white wines that possess the taste profile of both new world and old world wine regions.
Organic wine: Their main grapes are the floral, spicy Gewürztraminer and Riesling plus Pinot Gris. Not only with their tall and slender bottle cap but also the medieval villages that you wish to capture a glimpse of.
Conclusion
Due to such diversity, across the terroirs and grapes, you will be able to have a fulfilling wine-tasting session at these famous wine regions across France.
When you are touring France for their delicacies on wheels, do not forget to pack some bags in your luggage to come back home with some of the best wines in the world. Santé!
