When you think of wine, one of the first countries that comes to mind is France. France has been growing wine for Centuries, since it was first brought in by the Romans. From the classic Chablis to the hearty Bordeaux, France and wine are an inseperable combination.

While it can seem confusing to keep track of the various regions of France, each actually tends to make a certain type of wine. Just as you know that Chardonnay is a white and Zinfandel is a rich red, so can you learn that Chablis creates a wine (named Chablis) which is a flinty white wine, or that Beaujolais creates a wine (named Beaujolais) that is a light, fruity red.

Glance through these brief descriptions of each wine region, and click to learn more about the ones that interest you! Note that the wine regions often have other wines they make (for example there is a white Bordeaux), but I am listing the key wines each region is known for.

Bordeaux is one of the most famous wine regions in the world. This wine is created from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. The same blend in the US is named Meritage. It is smoky, spicy, tobaccoey, and great with meats.

Burgundy is a region with a collection of sub-areas. The flinty, classicflavor is made solely with Chardonnay grapes, while the freshness of Beaujolais Nouveau comes from the fruity Gamay.

Champagne is the world-famous sparkling wine created with Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir grapes. There were quite a few bottles of Champagne popping over New Year's Eve! 

Loire Valley is most well known for its use of Sauvignon blanc, Chenin blanc and Cabernet Franc. They create two named wines many recognize - Sancerre and Vouvray.

Rhone Valley is well known for its spicy, fiery red wines, although it does make a very small amount of white and rose wine as well. The Rhone is in the southeast of France, from Vienne to the north to little Riez in the south. Perhaps best known of all Rhone wines is the Hermitage, in the northern section.