Situated in the department of Jura and bordering on Switzerland, this area is neighbors with Bourgogne. There is also a crémant (sparkling wine) from Alsace that is quite popular. Most wines from here are generally Mediterranean blends using classic southern grapes including Viognier, Syrah, and Grenache. This is home to some of the best white wines produced in the French wine regions. By signing up for our newsletter, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Along with Bordeaux, the other big-name in French wines is the Bourgogne (Burgundy) region. Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, elaborated from Sauvignon Blanc, are two well known wines from the eastern portion of the Loire Valley. The vineyards here have existed since Roman times, using age-old techniques that have existed since then. Thus, the relationship between French wine regions and their key varieties have evolved naturally over many centuries, as exemplified by the close relationship between Pinot Noir and Burgundy. Some wines get better with age, while others do not. Consume with moderation.“. This complex system of laws ultimately defines each wine region and its boundaries and imposes strict rules around winemaking practices. So in order to decide what our “own wine personality” is, let’s break down the French wines by region, and have a look at the famous names to look out for. If you drank a new wine each night, it would take 8 years to drink your way through France. French wine regions might be divided up a bit differently depending on who you are talking to, but eleven areas seems to work for me. Return from French wine regions to French Wine Champagne. Did you enjoy that article? Unlike others on the French wine region map, Burgundy places its greatest emphasis on ‘terroir’ in the production of two main grape varieties – Chardonnay for white wines, and Pinot Noir for the reds. ), Other big names in the area are the Fitou which is a red wine, and the Corbières which comes in red, white, and rosé. The Fumé has a very fresh dry taste, compared to the Fuissé’s floral nutty taste. You have probably heard of Beaujolais Nouveau, made from Gamay grapes, a wine designed to be drank while it is still very young. In general the weather is warm and dry, making this a good place to cultivate grapes. To remove this message, click, Copyright It is a young wine, and not always very good, but the tradition endures. From the granite hills of Beaujolais to the famous chalky slopes of Chablis and the gravels of the Medoc, the sites on which France's vineyards have been developed are considered of vital importance and are at the heart of the concept of terroir. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'easy_french_food_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',341,'0','0']));This is the only one of the French wine regions that labels its wine by the type of grape rather than the specific area where the wine was produced.