Epic Guide To 8 Wine Regions In France

Best Destinations In France For Wine Lovers

Alsace Wine Region

Nestled on the border of France and Germany, the Alsace wine region produces some fantastic dry and fruity French white wines with a German influence. The picturesque Alsace wine route is a trail that takes wine travellers through some of the most beautiful towns and villages in eastern France.

The small Alsace town of Eguisheim is home to 33 wine producers, two of which hold the highly esteemed Grand Cru designation. These include the Pfersigberg and Eichberg wineries.

Although the Alsatian wine region is known for its Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris, the star of the show is Crémant d’Alsace. This sparkling wine is produced in both white and rosѐ versions and must not be missed.

Riquewihr is another Alsace town nestled among vineyards. Tasting the local wines is right on the main street. Riquewihr is on the Grand Cru Alsace wine trail and is an excellent location for a hike or bike ride, making it a great choice for an active visit.

Consider a stay at Hotel KLE, a boutique hotel and spa where you can pamper yourself while enjoying the beauty of Kaysersberg and the brilliant wine culture of the town.

Burgundy (Bourgogne)Wine Region

On our visit to France, we stayed in Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, which is filled with wine cellars where visitors can sample award-winning local wines, including the popular red Pinot Noir and white Chardonnay.

We visited a small family-run French wine cellar in Beaune called La Cave de l'Ange Gardien, run by its passionate owner, Pierre. We booked a tutored tasting session focusing on appearance, aroma, structure (wine terminology - legs and tears!), and finish. Once we had taken wine notes and enjoyed tasting varietals that ranged from earthy to fruity, we continued with a blind tasting session, where we had to guess which wines we were sampling - such good fun!

A full-day small group tour in the Burgundy vineyards, departing from Beaune, will appeal to all wine enthusiasts. Book a tour so you won't miss out on sampling the wine varieties and have to drive yourself. The rolling French countryside is a beautiful setting for some of the world's best vineyards.

Back in Beaune, there is plenty to see and do, including historical landmarks such as the Hospices de Beaune. But Beaune is famous for its gastronomic offerings, and with several Michelin restaurants in this tiny French town, you will undoubtedly enjoy fine food with your favourite French wines.

On my trip, I stayed in the Ibis Beaune Central for one night as part of my European road trip, it was comfortable but basic. If you are looking for something special then Abbaye de Maizieres is a boutique hotel in a former 12th-century Cistercian abbey.

Provence Wine Region

Well-known for its award-winning rosé wines, the delightful Provence wine region is also well-regarded for its full-bodied reds and fruity whites. As a local to the area, some of my favourite wineries to visit around the oldest destination on the French wine region's map offer more than just a tasting experience.

Château La Coste, located north of Aix-en-Provence, is always a place we take guests, as there are several restaurants where we can grab lunch. The Terrace is excellent for casual alfresco dining.) There is an interesting art & architecture walk to explore through this French vineyard. A little more intimate, the Château Bonisson wine estate in Rognes offers a free art gallery to discover before or after sampling their range of organic wines.

If heading to the seaside, Clos Ste Magdeleine makes a charming side visit in Cassis, and it's the ideal place to try the dry white wines typical of this coastal wine-growing area. And if a picnic in the vines is what we're craving, Château Gassier delivers it at the base of Mont Sainte Victoire.

Of course, there is much more to discover along the Provence wine trail, including the bucolic villages of the Luberon, the rich cultural towns, and the sublime beaches and national parks.

Where to Stay in the Aix-en-Provence Region

While I haven't stayed there myself, I can suggest the lovely Les Lodges Sainte-Victoire & Spa. It is right in the heart of the Côtes de Provence AOC, close to Aix-en-Provence.

Book a memorable stay at the French wine Château de Fonscolombe, tucked away in the AOC Côteaux d'Aix-en-Provence. The property has its own vineyard set in stunning grounds.

Top Tip:

Don't miss a typical Provençal market while in the area; they're among the best in France and the ideal place to pick up other tasty treats to serve with a French wine! There are markets every day throughout most of the year, so ask your accommodation provider to direct you to the closest one.

Bordeaux Wine Region

Bordeaux is the wine capital of France and is the country's most renowned wine tourism destination. The city offers numerous activities to learn more about local wines. Still, to properly understand it, I suggest visiting the Bordeaux region. 

The Bordeaux region produces red wines from châteaux in the Médoc sub-region, Saint-Émilion, and Pomerol.

It's easy to plan a day trip from Bordeaux to some of the countryside villages, and I decided to visit the charming town of St-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This medieval village is renowned for being home to some of France's most well-established and beautiful wine estates. 

Apart from exploring the lovely narrow streets of the village, you can find a couple of wineries in the city centre. Still, if you're happy to move around, you can reach some places only one or two kilometres away from St-Émilion. 

I visited a small, family-owned chateau called Le Chatelet, nestled in low-lying vineyards just 20 minutes from the French wine centre.

The estate has been classified as Grand Cru Classé since 2012, and the wine tasting was free. I tasted three wines currently stored in their wine cellar, ranging from the youngest (2019) to the oldest (2008). The prestigious blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. 

When staying or visiting St-Emilion for a day, I recommend trying the restaurant Chai Pascal, a cosy restaurant with cobbled stones on the walls and an impressive chandelier decoration made from vines. They always have a different dish of the day, and when I was there, I had a delicious Boeuf Bourguignon (beef stew braised in red wine).

Languedoc - Rousillon Wine Region

The Languedoc-Roussillon wine region is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the south of France, and we headed there after our stay in Provence.

The first time we visited this French wine region, we were surprised to learn that the area was three times the size of Bordeaux's vineyards. The Mediterranean climate in the south is great for French vineyards.

During our visit, we sampled several traditional grape varieties, but this was the first time we had tasted both Mourvèdre and Viognier. It was ages before we ever found Viognier anywhere else.

For this return visit, we were staying in French wine country at the Châteaux de Paulignan, a short distance from Rieux-Minervois. This small chateau had a small number of rooms, and it was a working French winery, making it the perfect spot when we visited during the fall harvest season. The aroma of fermenting grapes was in the air, and we often saw ripe French wine grapes being moved for processing.

Behind the Scenes in Rieux Minervois

When we visited the small town of Rieux Minervois, we stopped by the local co-op for a "degustation". The co-op shared winemaking equipment, with bottled wines from co-op members available for sale in the small on-site wine shop. Large bins of grapes were delivered from several local vineyards, and we watched as the deliveries were processed, with the grapes removed from the plants.

We found lots to see and do in the Languedoc-Roussillon region when we weren't engrossed in the fall wine process. We stopped at the ancient Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct, and the nearby Canal du Midi was perfect for a walk along the canal or a trip through the small locks.

While in the area and for a taste of France's history, pay a visit to the nearby medieval walled city of Carcassonne; you won't want to miss it!

Champagne Wine Region

Champagne is easily one of the most famous and best wine regions in France. It has many unique places to visit, and several of the Champagne tours from Reims are perfect for exploring the area.

Reims is the unofficial capital of the Champagne region, but it's a great base because you can explore a vineyard right in the city before venturing out to others in the surrounding countryside. 

One of the oldest Champagne houses in France is Champagne Lanson, which dates back to 1760. It is located in the city centre (you can walk there), and a tasting costs around $50 per person (or less). This is a fantastic way to start learning about this famous French wine and to lay a foundation for the rest of your trip, including visits to some of the world's most renowned brands.

Discover France's Most Famous Champagne Houses

Another popular Champagne house to visit is Moët & Chandon, which needs no introduction. It remains one of the largest producers of Champagne and offers a variety of French wine styles. It's an easy day trip from Reims, as Moët & Chandon is located in Épernay, France.

In Épernay, you will also find the Avenue de Champagne, a famous street that is home to some of France's favourite wine producers, such as Moët et Chandon, Mercier, and De Castellane. It is inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List and is a great place to learn about the history of French wine.

While the Champagne region is all about a glass of bubbly, there is far more than meets the eye! In Reims, you can see Roman ruins at the Porte de Mars, visit the Palace of Tau and the Reims Cathedral, and enjoy some of the other delicious delicacies from Reims, including jambon de Reims, biscuits roses, and tasty Reims mustard.

France's Champagne region is one of the best places to visit in the entire country and one of the best bucket list places in Europe. It is close enough to the capital to be visited on a day trip from Paris.

Savoie Wine Region

For a hidden gem wine destination in eastern France, opt for the Savoie, nestled in the mountain area on the border of Switzerland. This French wine region may be lesser known, but it is no less delicious or beautiful than Burgundy or Bordeaux. 

White wines from France reign supreme here, with many varietals, including Jacquère, Roussette, Grignan-Notre-Dame, Chasselas, and Roussanne. However, you will find some delicious red wines, such as Mondeuse, Persan, and perhaps a Gamay or Pinot Noir. 

Hiking and Wine Tasting in the Savoie

The best thing you can do in Savoie is to take a hiking and wine tour to fully appreciate the beauty of France's only alpine wine region and sip some wine in iconic vineyards. I booked my tour through Alpes Flaveurs, and it was incredible! 

We began in the small town of Apremont, where it seems every home has a vineyard instead of a yard. We hiked to La Cascade du Pichut, a waterfall in the hills, before visiting a vineyard where we sampled Jacquère, Chardonnay, and Rosé. 

The views are breathtaking, with distant glaciers and mountains, smaller lakes and rows of vines in the foreground. 

After that, we crossed through a French wine valley and arrived at another charming vineyard with an old castle tower, known as Tours de Chignin, in the middle. There, we sampled Pinot Noir and Mondeuse.  

We tried wines from Domaine Yves Girard-Madoux Vignoble de la Pierre and Maison Philippe Grisard.

The Alpine Town of Annecy

While you could stay in the surrounding towns like Chambery before going on this tour, we stayed in Annecy at the Atipik Hotel Alexandra during our time in the Alps. It was a great place to stay to explore the old town of Annecy for a day and take day trips! 

Loire Valley Wine Region

Contributed by Ellie from Elonthemove.com

The famous French wine district of the Loire Valley is a must-visit for any wine lover. I visited in the summer and fell in love with this French wine region. The Loire Valley is centred on the Loire River, France's longest, making it seem like there are endless wineries to discover. The valley is divided into vineyard regions, called vignobles. I stayed in the Anjou-Saumur vignobles.

It was lovely, warm weather, so I camped at the Huttopia campsite overlooking the Loire Valley near Saumur. The town of Saumur is stunning, with architecture that makes you feel like you have stepped into a fairy tale. I took my tent and loved spending time in nature. The campsite also offers chalets if that's more your thing.

The Anjou-Saumur region produces a wide variety of wines, including reds, whites, rosés and sparkling wine. The Loire produces some outstanding sparkling wine (petillant in French: pronounced petty-on).

Things to Do in the Loire Valley

I visited many wineries on my trip, including Bouvet-Ladubay, Gretz, Meyer, and Ackerman. The guided French wine tour at the Caves of Bouvet-Ladubay was a highlight.

The Loire Valley is also a favourite wine region in France if you love Fairytale French Castles. There are so many sensational castles and châteaux to visit in one of the best wine regions in France. 

After wine tasting in the Loire Valley, I tried a kayak down the Loire River to balance out my trip. It was the perfect activity to cool off on a summer's day and appreciate the beautiful châteaux that overlook the Loire from a different perspective.

If you don't like the thought of kayaking, you can hire bikes and cycle down the Loire to enjoy the view from dry land.

Has this post on the wine regions in France inspired you to book a visit? If it has, please leave me a comment.

If you are looking for more wine content on this site, you may like to read my post on South Africa's Cape Winelands for even more travel inspiration. Or even 4 of the Best Waiheke Wineries To Visit from Auckland.

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