France Wine Regions

Loire Region:

Wines from this area include Whites like Vouvray.  Other good examples of dry white varieties include Muscadet, Sancerre, and Savennieres. Some can last well over time but rarely improve beyond the first few years. Sweet Loire whites often need to age to tame acidity.

Loire Reds can have youthful fruitiness, and good quality ones can be kept and enjoyed for quite some time.

Principal Grapes from this region:
Gamay - Fresh ripe fruity, best young.
Chenin Blanc - Dry apple & appricot flavors, ages well.
Muscadet - Crisp, light, mellon flavors. 

Champagne Region:

Wines from this area include Champagne. Dates on Champagne prior to the 1970's were really just "declared" by the specific producer and were not considered vintages. Today producers do create vintages almost every year.

Only product produced in the Champagne region can be called "Champagne". Everything else is consider sparkling wine.

Champagne varieties include Brut, Extra Dry, Demi-Sec, Blanc de Blanc, Prestige Cuvee, and Rose. They vary from dry to sweet. 

Alsace Region:

Wines from this area include excellent whites such as Tokay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer. Many good Alsace whites can be long-lived, especially those picked late in the harvest.

Alsace Reds are typically from the Pinot Noir grape. They are delicate wines that do not age well.

Principal Grapes from this region:
Pinot Gris - Smokey, spicey, golden White grape. 

Chablis Region:

Wines from this area include Bone Dry Whites.

Chablis wines range from round, pinapple styles to lighter, austere varieties. Neither exhibit much oak, but this is changing somewhat.  Most Chablis wines are meant to be drunk young, but some outstanding vintages can age up to 10 or 15 years. 

Cote D'Or Region:

Wines from this area include Burgundy and Chardonnay.

The Reds from Cote de Nuits are Burgundy's greatest Reds made from Pinot Noir grapes.  The Reds from Cote de Beaune show excellent berry fruit and good depth. They age fairly well, but sometimes get a gamey flavor.

Cote d'Or Whites have a buttery, nutty texture with overtones of vanilla and oak. 

Principal Grapes from this region:
Pinot Noir - Wild berry, sometimes chocolate flavors.
Gamay - Fresh ripe fruit flavor, best young.
Chardonnay - Buttery, oaky, hints of nuts and apples. 

Macon Region:

Wines from this area include Gamay style Burgundy.  Typical Reds from Macon are blends of Gamay grapes and typically Pinot Noir. Some White varieties are made here from Chardonnay grapes as well.

Macon wines are usually light and somewhat acidic. 

Beaujolais Region:

Wines from this area include Basic Cru & Noauveau Beaujolais.  Both varieties are best drunk very young. They are typically light and somewhat sweet.

Nouveau Beaujolais is a Fall treat and best consumed in the year of harvest. There is an annual festival both in France and in the US to celebrate the harvest. 

Bordeaux Region:

Wines from this area include The Ultimate Red wine. 

The regions's top class Chateau normally make long-lived vintages from very old vines. They also may produce "second label" varieties that are meant to be drunk much younger. There are 57 Varieties of Bordeaux, known as Appellations. Each has it's own uniqueness due to soil and climate variations.

Bordeaux is more recently producing some White varieties. They are typically sweet wines like Sauterne and Barsac.

Principal Grapes from this region:
Cabernet - Rich dry, long aging with berry flavors.
Merlot - Soft with buttery, plum flavors.
Sauvignon Blanc - Earthy, oaky White grape.
Semillon - Dry White grape, usually blended. 

Languedoc-Rousillion Region:

Wines from this area include Traditional Reds & Varietals.   The majority of the Region's wines are Red. They are typically full bodied, spicey, peppery wines with a deep color. Notable grape types include Merlot and Cabnernet.

Whites and Rose's are also produced here, as well as Muscats and varietals.

Rhone Region:

Wines from this area include Chateauneuf and Beaujolais.  Most Reds from the Rhone are light and should be drunk young. 

White Rhone's can be very fragrant and age fairly well. Over time, some of them can become rich and exotic.

Principal Grapes from this region:
Grenache - Usually blended, and in Chateauneuf-du-pape.
Syrah - Deep, sweet blackberry flavor, ages well.
Marsanne - Strong, fleshy, dry White grape. 

Provence Region:

Wines from this area include Rose & Blended Reds.  Provence's Rose tends to be dry with and hint of herbal character. Some last up to 3 years, but should normally be drunk young.

White wines are typically aromatic but not exciting.

Provence Reds are usually blends and are generally deep in color. Some may last up to 5 years.

Principal Grapes from this region:
Colombard - Simple, fresh, fruity White grape.