France is renowned for its wines, and for good reason. With dozens of world-class wine regions, each with its own unique climate, soil, and grape varieties, France is a wine lover’s paradise. While many people are familiar with the famous wine regions like Bordeaux and Burgundy, there are also many lesser-known areas that are producing exceptional wines. Here’s a guide to some of the top growing areas of France that you should know about.
Rhône Valley
The Rhône Valley is a stunning wine region that stretches from Lyon to Avignon, with vineyards located on both sides of the Rhône River. This area is known for its rich and complex red wines, made from a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre grapes. The wines of the northern Rhône are particularly sought after, with the famous appellations of Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, and Saint-Joseph producing some of the most iconic and age-worthy wines in the world.
Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is home to some of the most beautiful chateaux in France, as well as some of the country’s most exciting and diverse wines. This region produces a wide range of wines, from crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blancs to rich and complex Cabernet Francs. Some of the most famous appellations in the Loire Valley include Sancerre, Chinon, and Vouvray.
Jura
The Jura region is located in eastern France, near the border with Switzerland. This area is known for its unusual and distinctive wines, which are often made using unusual grape varieties like Trousseau and Poulsard. Jura wines are typically aged in oak barrels, giving them a unique nutty and oxidized flavor profile that is unlike anything else in the world of wine.
Languedoc-Roussillon
The Languedoc-Roussillon region is the largest wine-producing region in France, and is home to some of the country’s best value wines. This area produces a wide range of wines, from rich and full-bodied reds to crisp and refreshing whites. The wines of the Languedoc are known for their bold and fruity flavors, and are often made using a blend of grape varieties like Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.
Alsace
The Alsace region is located in northeastern France, near the border with Germany. This area is known for its aromatic and flavorful white wines, which are made using grape varieties like Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris. Alsace wines are typically dry and crisp, with a unique minerality that is characteristic of the region’s soil.
