French Wine Regions

1 product

domaine chanson chablis 2021 french white wine
Domaine Chanson Chablis 2021 75cl - Chablis AOC
€37,91 EUR

French Wine Regions

France is the most iconic wine-producing country in the world, home to hundreds of appellations and deeply rooted winemaking traditions. From Bordeaux’s Left and Right Bank, to the crus of Beaujolais and the villages of the Rhône Valley, each sub-region has its own grapes, terroirs, and wine styles.

Buy French wine from all regions and their key sub-regions at Merkditz.

1. Bordeaux

Known for structured, age-worthy reds and complex whites.

Main sub-regions:

  • Left Bank (Médoc & Graves): Cabernet Sauvignon dominant (Pauillac, Margaux, Saint-Julien, Saint-Estèphe)

  • Right Bank: Merlot-based wines (Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Fronsac)

  • Entre-Deux-Mers: White wines from Sauvignon Blanc & Sémillon

  • Sauternes & Barsac: Sweet botrytized whites

2. Burgundy (Bourgogne)

Famous for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with deep terroir expression.

Main sub-regions:

  • Chablis: Mineral-driven, unoaked Chardonnay

  • Côte de Nuits: Structured Pinot Noir (Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges)

  • Côte de Beaune: Chardonnay-focused (Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet) + some reds

  • Côte Chalonnaise: Value reds and whites (Mercurey, Rully)

  • Mâconnais: Rounder whites (Mâcon, Pouilly-Fuissé)

3. Champagne

The only region allowed to label its sparkling wine as Champagne.

Main sub-regions:

  • Montagne de Reims: Pinot Noir-based blends

  • Côte des Blancs: Pure Chardonnay (Blanc de Blancs)

  • Vallée de la Marne: Pinot Meunier influence

  • Aube (Côte des Bar): Up-and-coming Pinot Noir champagnes

4. Rhône Valley

A diverse region split between powerful Northern reds and Southern blends.

Main sub-regions:

  • Northern Rhône: Single-varietal Syrah (Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Cornas), Viognier (Condrieu)

  • Southern Rhône: GSM blends (Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Côtes du Rhône)

5. Loire Valley

Cool-climate whites and light reds, with stylistic variety.

Main sub-regions:

  • Upper Loire: Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé)

  • Middle Loire: Chenin Blanc & Cabernet Franc (Vouvray, Chinon, Saumur)

  • Lower Loire: Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet)

6. Alsace

Dry, aromatic whites near the German border.

Main grapes: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris
Notable areas: Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin (no strict sub-AOC system, but commune-level quality)

7. Beaujolais

Technically part of Burgundy, but distinct in style and grapes.

Main sub-regions (Crus):

  • Morgon, Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent, Brouilly, Saint-Amour (all Gamay-based)

8. Provence

Known worldwide for its rosés.

Key sub-regions:

  • Côtes de Provence

  • Bandol: Structured reds (Mourvèdre) and complex rosés

  • Cassis & Palette: Lesser-known but high-quality coastal zones

9. Languedoc-Roussillon

France’s largest and most diverse wine region.

Sub-regions to know:

  • Corbières, Minervois, Faugères, Pic Saint-Loup, La Clape

  • Also includes sparkling wines like Crémant de Limoux

10. Corsica (Corse)

Mountain-meets-Mediterranean terroir with unique native grapes.

Main sub-regions:

  • Patrimonio, Ajaccio, Vin de Corse (with many village designations)

11. Jura

Small but iconic, known for oxidative styles.

Key wines/areas:

  • Arbois, Château-Chalon (Vin Jaune), Côtes du Jura

12. Savoie

Alpine region with light, fresh whites.

Main appellations:

  • Apremont, Chignin, Roussette de Savoie

13. Southwest France (Sud-Ouest)

Diverse and under-the-radar, full of indigenous grapes.

Notable sub-regions:

  • Madiran (Tannat), Cahors (Malbec), Gaillac, Jurançon (Gros & Petit Manseng)

14. Bugey

Tiny but emerging region between Jura and Savoie.

Focus: Sparkling and light wines (Montagnieu, Cerdon)

15. Auvergne

Volcanic soils and revivalist spirit.