Which regions produce the most wine?

There are now 7 wine regions that dominate France. They are known for their particular grape varieties and the quality of their production.

Discover the specificities of each of them:

1- Alsace

It is a very fashionable region among the different wine-producing regions in France, the region produces mainly white wines in AOC Alsace, AOC Alsace “Lieu-Dit” and AOC Alsace “Communale”. But it produces very good crémants and has 51 AOC Alsace Grands Crus.

2- Bordeaux

Surely the most famous region in the world.
With more than 60 different appellations, Bordeaux wine is very often related to red wine which represents a little more than 80% of its production.

The Bordeaux vineyard is known for its chateau wines of constant quality over the years and recognized throughout the world. The Anglo-Saxon origins of this vineyard have allowed a strong development of the international brands. In ten years, the selling price of Ausone, Lafite Rothschild or Margaux has increased fivefold, even tenfold.
The policy of allocating classified growths strongly limits the possibility for newcomers to claim these prestigious appellations and many very good products are sold between 20 and 40 euros, or even at more affordable prices.

3- The Burgundy region

The dominant grape varieties grown in this region are pinot noir, chardonnay and gamay.
The Burgundian winemaking philosophy is the opposite of the one practiced by the Bordelais. They practice parcel-based vinification and consider that each wine, and therefore each vineyard parcel, is the reflection of a specific soil and sunshine called terroir or climate. It is common to find a very large number of vintages in small volumes, even in very small wineries, which are the representation of each of these climates. The counterpart of this philosophy is the important cost that implies this specialization, which makes Burgundy wines generally quite expensive.

Listed since 2015 as a Unesco World Heritage Site, the climats of Burgundy are precious witnesses to the incredible diversity of terroirs that this wine region offers to the lover of great wines. They are also a form of recognition of the progress made by Burgundy’s viticulture over the last fifteen years.

4-The Rhone Valley

Located in southeastern France, it offers distinct growing conditions to produce some of the best red wines of France and the world.
Grenache, Syrah and Viognier are the main grape varieties grown in this region.
It is home to the oldest vineyards in France, gradually introduced by the Romans. It is the second wine region of France, just behind Bordeaux. And as for the Bordeaux region, there is a production very oriented towards red wines.

5- Provence

Provence is mainly known for its rosés. However, they are often denigrated because a large part of the production is destined to make summer wines. They are therefore wines made quickly to be drunk quickly.
Provence provides 38% of the national production of rosé and 8% of the world production.

6- The Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is located in the northwestern quarter of France. The limited amount of sunshine, the nearby ocean and the terroir allow for wines with a mineral and/or floral dominant.
The wines of the Loire Valley come in a wide range of styles, from dry to sweet, including white, red and sparkling wines.
They are very often made in a rather light style.

7- Champagne

Champagne is produced only here. The best wines of this region are made with Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir grapes. The region is divided into several sub-regions: the Mountain, the Marne Valley, the Côte des Blancs and the Côte des Bar. There is a production of Champagne rosé which is one of the only ones authorized by assembly of red and white in France

So don’t hesitate and taste the diversity of French wines….

_{Sources :
http://www.les-grandes-regions-de-france-productrices-de-vin}