Discover the winemakers from France
Weinbaugebiete France
Although viticulture was not invented in France, all the essential cultivation and cellar techniques have been developed and perfected in the country over the centuries. No wonder that France, with a vineyard area of around 800,000 hectares and an average annual production of almost 35 million hectoliters of wine, is the most important wine producer in the world alongside Italy. Since the area under cultivation extends almost over the entire country, almost all existing wine types and colors are produced in France. The wine country is world famous for its exclusive champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux wines.
Alsace region
Alsace is the most easterly wine-growing region in France. The region lies between the eastern foothills of the Vosges and the Rhine. In addition to the beautiful landscape, Alsace also impresses with high-quality wine. The protection provided by the mountains of the Vosges ensures very favorable climatic conditions. Over 400 winegrowers mainly grow white grapes on an area of around 15,000 hectares. The most important grape varieties in Alsace are Riesling, Sylvaner and Pinot Blanc. The few red and rosé wines come exclusively from the Pinot noir variety.
Bordeaux region
Bordeaux is undoubtedly France's most famous wine region in the world. Over the centuries, the name of the southwestern French city has become synonymous with expensive, world-class wines. The region is considered to be the most productive wine-growing region in Europe. On a cultivation area of around 120,000 hectares, grapes are harvested for the production of almost six million hectoliters of wine. In addition, the city or region has also become synonymous with red wine. But in the growing area between Garonne and Dordogne, numerous white and rosé wines are now also made.
Burgundy region
Burgundy (French Bourgogne) is undoubtedly the second best-known wine-growing region in France, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015 and has more than 90 appellations. Grapes have been cultivated on an area of around 37,000 hectares in the east of the country since the 3rd century AD. With a share of 60 percent, the region is a rather white wine-heavy growing area. 30 percent of the area under cultivation is devoted to red and rosé wines and 10 percent to Crémant (sparkling wines).
of Champagne
Champagne is the northernmost wine-growing region in France and the place of origin of the most famous French wine product: champagne. The region's mixed climate of Atlantic and continental influences and the soil are ideal for ripening the grapes required for the world-famous wine, which are grown on around 35,000 hectares. Champagne is almost always a blend of several grape varieties, locations and vintages. The art of so-called "assemblage" guarantees consistent quality. The most important grape varieties are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
of Jura
With a cultivation area of just under 2,000 hectares, Jura is one of the smallest wine-growing regions in France and is less well-known due to its size. However, the quality of the fine wines does not suffer as a result. The area, located after the mountain range in East France, on the Swiss border, has a centuries-old wine-growing tradition with its own grape varieties such as Béclan, Poulsard, Savagnin and Trouseau as well as wine specialties such as Vin Jaune and Vin de Paille. The most important appellations in the region today are Arbois, Château-Chalon, Côtes du Jura and L'Étoile.
of Provence
Located on the Mediterranean Sea, the southern French region is one of the oldest wine-growing regions in the world. With up to 3000 hours of sunshine a year, it is ideal for winegrowing. Today, grapes are cultivated on around 27,000 hectares, which are mainly used in the production of rosé wines. A third of French rosé wine production and almost six percent of all rosés drunk worldwide come from Provence. Red and white wine play a completely subordinate role.
Rhone region
The Côtes du Rhône wine-growing region is considered one of the oldest wine regions in France. It begins south of the metropolis of Lyon in the north and extends to Avignon in the south. With a cultivation area of almost 80,000 hectares, the Rhône region is also one of the largest wine-growing regions in France. Due to the very different geographical and climatic conditions in the region, it is characterized by a large variety of grape varieties. Red grapes dominate the wine cultivation. The main grape varieties of the region are Syrah in the north and Grenache Noir in the south.
