Where can you find the best red wine in France?
From Burgundy to Languedoc-Roussillon, France has some of the most famous wine regions in the world, and it is one of the largest wine producers with more than seven billion bottles corked each year. Travelers from all over the globe are attracted to France’s approach to winemaking and the prestigious wines it has been producing for centuries. The French wine scene is truly special due in part to its community of highly-skilled winemakers who are terroir-conscious about their process. Many French wines are classified using the appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) system, which sets standards for production. Travelers can explore quaint villages, tour historic vineyards, taste a wide variety of incredibly specific wines and learn about French winemaking practices that will continue to charm even the most discerning wine drinkers for many generations to come. So, where can you find the best red wine in France? Check out the top five red wine regions in France.
Burgundy
Photo by C. McCain
Located in east-central France, Burgundy has five major sub-regions: Chablis and Grand Auxerrois, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais. Its picturesque villages and sloping vineyards make for an unforgettable wine tasting experience. The region produces pinot noir, gamay, chardonnay and aligoté. It has more than 80 appellations – the most produced in any region of France. And, Burgundy is home to one of the world’s most expensive wines, Romanée-Conti, which can sell for upwards of $20,000 per bottle. In 2015, Burgundy’s climats, or wine-growing plots, were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Many of the plots date back to the Middle Ages and each one has a unique geographical or geological distinction.
Rhône Valley
Photo by C. McCain
Located in southeastern France, the Rhône Valley wine region offers more than 30 appellations, including popular ones like Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie. This wine region is split into two parts: north and south. The northern sub-region, running between Vienne and Valence, has eight appellations and is famous for its syrah grape, which produces a full-bodied, red wine. It also produces white wines from marsanne, roussane and viognier grapes. The southern sub-region, surrounding Avignon, has more than 15 appellations and produces many different types of red, white and rosé wines from a variety of grapes including grenache, mourvèdre, cinsault and carignan, among others. Don’t miss a taste of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape, known as the first AOC wine to be recognized. In 1936, it was allowed to use 13 different varieties for its blend with both red and white grapes.
Bordeaux
Photo by C. McCain
Where can you find the best red wine in France? It could very well be Bordeaux. With more than 8,000 wine producers, Bordeaux has one of the largest wine operations in France. Located in southwestern France, it is divided into 38 sub-regions with 57 different appellations. Some of the most popular sub-regions include Médoc, Graves, Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint Julien, Saint Émilion, Pessac-Léognan, Sauternes and Margaux, among others. The vast majority of Bordeaux wines are red with grape varieties that include cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, malbec and petit verdot. The city of Bordeaux is an excellent place to explore between vineyards. The city’s natural harbor and landmarks are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for having an “outstanding urban and architectural ensemble created in the Age of Enlightenment.” Don’t miss the Cité du Vin, a museum on the Garonne River dedicated to Bordeaux’s wine heritage. It has a tasting room 35 meters above the ground with panoramic views of the city.
Read more: 10 Best Food Festivals in France
Beaujolais
Photo by Robert Ireton
The Beaujolais wine region is situated just north of Lyon in eastern France. Beaujolais/Beaujolais Supérieur, Beaujolais Villages and Beaujolais Nouveau are made from gamay grapes and are famous for being light-bodied red wines high in acidity and low in tannins. The ten crus of Beaujolais include Brouilly, Chénas, Chiroubles, Côte de Brouilly, Fleurie, Juliénas, Morgon, Moulin- à -Vent, Régnié and Saint-Amour. Each one has its own appellation title. Each year, a wine festival called Les Sarmentelles is held in Beaujeu, a village located near the city of Mâcon. The event celebrates the limited edition release of that year’s Beaujolais Nouveau, which is available to the public for the first time each year on the third Thursday in November after only fermenting for a few weeks. This five-day French wine festival features tastings, dinners, live music, dance performances and art markets.
Languedoc-Roussillon
Photo by Bo Boer
The Languedoc-Roussillon wine region surrounds the city of Montpellier in southern France. Its wines, including Vin de Pays d’Oc, have many well-known appellations, such as Languedoc, Corbières, Faugères, Minervois and Saint-Chinian, among others. From coastal plains to the valleys around the Pyrenees, this diverse terrain produces more than 1/3 of all French wine. It grows many different types of grapes, including merlot, cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. If you need a break from red wine, get a taste of Languedoc-Roussillon’s Crémant de Limoux, a sparkling wine made from mauzac, chardonnay and chenin blanc grapes. It’s a refreshing way to celebrate the art of French winemaking.
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