Geological and climate diversity combine to make France one of the most richly diverse wine countries in the world.

France's wine information encompasses an extraordinary range of weather patterns. In the north of the country, grapes sometimes do not see enough sun and warmth to get perfectly ripe. In other years all might be progressing well and then a devastating hailstorm tears through the vineyards.

The country’s climate is highly variable. The Bordeaux region near the Atlantic coast in the southwest has a moderate maritime climate. The prevailing dampness means that disease can always be a potential threat, but one such infestation, Botrytis cinerea (noble rot), is a boon for the sweet wine producers of sauternes.

Burgundy, inland to the north and east, is cooler than Bordeaux. Its continental climate, with relatively high rainfall, places it at the northern limit (in the Northern Hemisphere) for making red wines.

The Loire Valley lies even further north, but vines still thrive there as a result of the moderating influences of moist Atlantic breezes and the expansive Loire River and its tributaries.

Champagne is France’s most northerly wine region. The grapes there barely ripen each year, but that’s rarely a cause for concern, high acid and relatively low sugar are perfect raw material for the finest sparkling wines.

French Wine Laws.

Most of the important French winegrowing areas have been divided into sub regions based on the characteristics of their terroirs. Wine information on such distinctions form the basis of France’s national classification system, are known as appellation d’origine contrôlée, often abbreviated to AC or AOC. The appellation system was created in the 1930’s to protect the authenticity of wines and the livelihoods of their producers. It does this by defining boundaries and, within each area, stipulating the permitted grape varieties, yields and alcohol content; cultivation, vinification and maturation practices as well as labelling procedures.

Please click on one of the regions below to explore the vineyards.

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