7+ of the Best Wine Regions in France: The Original and Premier Wine Regions

When wanting to go wine tasting, France is a popular destination to venture to. Although Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Provance might be some of the best wine regions in France, there are many other areas that also make for amazing places to go wine tasting.

Winemaking in France began in the 500s BC during the Roman times and has grown into an industry that produces over 7-8 billion bottles a year. The most popular varieties produced include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah. No matter what, French wines hold a lot of prestige around the world. 

Best Wine Regions in France: Northern France

Alsace

By Derek and Mike of Robe Trotting

One of the best wine regions in France is the border region of the Alsace. This Rhine valley destination is known for its production of wine. Due to the microclimate and over 300 sunny days per year, it is perfect for growing wine-producing grapes.

In Alsace seven types of grapes are harvested: six white and one rose. The standout wine produced in the Alsace is the famous dry Riesling but other regional favorites are off-dry Pinot Gris and the rich Gewürztraminer. The wines of the Alsace are quite similar to the German wine region across the border in the Rhine and Moselle River valleys.

When visiting the Alsace wine trail, most travelers stay in Colmar and Strasbourg. Colmar is located in the southern portion of the Alsace and full of history and gorgeous half-timber houses. One of the best attractions is the gorgeous canal quarter, Petite Venice.

This part of the city does not resemble Venice at all, but it is one of the most charming neighborhoods in all of France. Strasbourg is the largest city in the northern region of the Alsace and a great place to stay for exploring the northern Alsatian villages. One of the best things to do in Strasbourg is to take a canal tour of the city. The medieval city center is ringed by picturesque canals that offer the perfect views of Strasbourg.

Burgundy

By Elisa of Travel France Bucket List

The Burgundy wine region is one of the most famous and best wine regions in France. It is located in Burgundy’s historical region, in eastern France, and the capital is Dijon. The Burgundy wine region is divided into different wine regions, and Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune are the most famous ones.

The Burgundy wine region produces some of the world’s best wines. You can find red wines and white wines. Red wines are produced using Pinot Noir grapes, while whites are produced using Chardonnay grapes. The land in Burgundy is limited, and wines are produced following strict rules; that’s why the Burgundy wines are so expensive.

The best way to visit the Burgundy wine region is by following one of the Burgundy wine routes. The Route des Grands Crus, from Dijon to Beaune, is the most famous one but there are others. You can see the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune vineyards and of course taste some of their wines along this route.

If you are interested in wine tastings, the village of Nuits-Saint-Georges is a good option. There are many independent wine producers selling their wines directly, and most of them give the possibility to taste the wines first.

Chablis

By Chrysoula of Historic European Castles

Chablis in the Yonne department is situated in the northern central part of France, 158 kilometers, south-east of Paris. Chablis is in the northern part of the Burgundy region. The climate in this area is cool and perfect for the Chardonnay grapes that are more acidic and used to make this popular crisp white wine. Chablis is made in several other countries including Australia but lacks this distinctive crispness as the grapes are grown in a warmer climate.

The village of Chablis is well worth exploring as it is an attractive medieval village, with half-timbered houses with steeply pitched roofs and ornate front doors as well as being one of the best wine regions in France. The entrance to the village is through the Porte Noël – two round towers which were the old gateway. There are two 13th century churches to see – St Pierre and St Martin. The door of the church of St Martin is covered with horseshoes, nailed there by pilgrims.

Chablis was first made in the area in 84AD by monks who had settled there and it has remained a popular wine ever since. A fun way to learn about its production and to enjoy the taste of the four different appellations of Chablis is to join a winery tour.

There are half a dozen different ones including Chablis Viotours and La Chablis Sienne. Both take visitors on a tour of the winery followed by wine-tasting amongst the vines. La Cave du Connaisseur is a lovely 13th-century limestone cave – now cellar- where there are fun wine-tasting sessions too.

Champagne

By Shannon of Traveling Teacher Girl

Champagne is one of the most well-known and best wine regions in France. The Champagne region is where champagne was first invented, and it is actually illegal for winemakers from other regions in France to call their sparkling wine “champagne”.

The Champagne region is located 90 minutes outside of Paris either by train or car. There are also wine tour companies that can provide round-trip transportation to and from the Champagne region from Paris. 

There are two main towns in the Champagne region: Épernay and Reims. Épernay is home to Moët et Chandon and is a very picturesque town with many fantastic restaurant options. Reims is home to a UNESCO world heritage site at the Reims Cathedral as well as the famous champagne house Veuve Clicquot. The towns are located approximately 20 minutes from each other.

In addition to visiting the well-known champagne houses of Moët et Chandon and Veuve Clicquot, be sure to visit some smaller champagne makers such as Champagne Janisson-Baradon and Champagne Georges Cartier. Advanced reservations are required at most Champagne houses in this region and they typically include a detailed tour and a small tasting.

Best Wine Regions in France: Southern France

Bordeaux

By Ricki Shaw Sherlin of Gone Afar Travel

Bordeaux is considered to be the epicenter for the true wine connoisseur dating back to the Middle Ages when the region produced light red wines called claret. It is one of the best wine regions in France. This part of France now boasts some of the foremost vineyards known worldwide for yielding first class wines.

Although full-body reds dominate the Premiers Crus ratings, the area known as St. Emilion produces sweet Sauterne’s created by a fungus known as Botrytis cinerea, which sucks the grapes dry, leaving high sugar residuals.

The town of Pauillac is home to Chateau Mouton Rothschild, one of 5 Bordeaux grand crus. Although reservations to visit the winery usually must be made months in advance, the Chateau offers the guest a 2 ½ hr. tour (approximately $50) of the pristine wine-making facilities, the cellar, and a tasting of one of their very expensive bottles of wine which most travelers will never be able to afford.

An added bonus is a visit to the Museum of Wine in Art, offering a glimpse of rare family antiquities, never shown to the public. 

Include a trip to La Cite’ du Vin, an architectural design wonder, for an immersive wine experience. Not only will you learn about the wines of the Bordeaux region, but also a comparative study about all wines around the world.

Another delightful way to enjoy the local flavors is by following the Urban Wine Trail which winds you through the city to different wine bars offering Bordeaux’s by the glass along with appetizers of the region. It is a fun way to sample the many varietals of the district without having to drink and drive. If you love fine wines, Bordeaux is a must.

Provence

By Nadine of Le Long Weekend

The Provence wine region in Southern France is the largest rosé producing region in the world and one of the best wine regions in France. The region has several distinct AOC (Appellation d’Origin Contrôlée) which are based around sub-regions within Provence.

The most well known is the Côtes de Provence region, which produces predominately rosé wines made from a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. It also produces delicious reds and a few whites using the Vermentino grape too.

Nearer the coast, Cassis steps away from the pack and is famous worldwide for its white wines. This is because the original vineyards were wiped out during the Phylloxera epidemic in the 19th century, and Marsanne grapes were replanted in their place. Nearby, Bandol also lost its vines during the epidemic, but Mourvèdre grapes were replanted and this region now produces mainly red wines.

One commonality between all the Provence wine appellations is the dedication to traditional winemaking methods and the passion that goes into the art of making great wines. This is why it has remained a beloved wine region of many.

It is hard to pick just a few vineyards out of so many fabulous ones to visit, but Château La Coste stands out as a ‘wine destination’ rather than simply a vineyard, Château Bonisson is a local favourite, and Château Gassier sits in a stunning location beneath the Mont Sainte Victoire.

Saint-Émilion

By Victoria of Guide Your Travel

Saint-Émilion produces some of the best wines in the world including the famous Premier Grand Crus classés A wines. It is one of the best wine regions in France. This tiny town close to Bordeaux is famous amongst locals, tourists, and international wine connoisseurs alike and can be the perfect place for a day-trip. Saint Émilion has incredible architecture and rich history which dates all the way back to 56 BC when the first grapes meant for producing wine were grown in this area.

Merlot and Cabernet Franc are the two most common wines found in this area. Although Saint Émilion is definitely not a place to look for affordable wines, there are plenty of châteaux that offer wine tastings for all budgets.

It is highly recommended to take a tour through the beautiful vineyards to visit the many different wineries and their underground caves where the wine is stored. A little train takes tourists around to the main attractions and tickets even include a free tasting.

If you are visiting Saint-Émilion this is a great activity to see some of the best spots around. One of the best chateaux to visit even if you’re not a wine expert is the Chateau Rochebelle which offers tastings and tours. Click here to learn more about Saint-Émilion and all you need to know before you go.

Other of the Best Wine Regions in France

There are so many amazing wine regions across the world. Champagne, the Loire Valley, Côtes du Rhône, Languedoc-Roussillon, and Corsica are some of the other best wine regions in France. While France holds some amazing regions, perhaps pair your France trip with a visit to Italy. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States are well worth visiting for their wine regions. No matter what, you cannot go wrong with a trip to France.

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