France was once known as the leading wine producing country in the world but recently lost claim of the title to Italy. As the world''s second ranked wine producer, France is well known for producing a diverse selection of wines including Champagne, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Bordeaux is the largest winemaking region in the world, with over 284,000 acres of vines. It accounts for a staggering one-third of all French wine produced. Its sterling reputation has been built by its red wines, especially those from the Mdoc, Saint-Emilion, Pomerol and Sauterne districts.
With more than 9,000 wine-producing chteaux and 13,000 winegrowers in the Bordeaux region, you can find a variety of wines, from light and refreshing wines to quality aged wines. Most of the grapes grown in the Bordeaux region are used for red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Merlot is the most planted grape in Bordeaux, covering fifty percent of the region. The wine choices are virtually endless, but you can be assured that there is a French wine for every occasion and every pocketbook.
In the Bordeaux wine-producing region, "chteau" refers to a vineyard of a regulated size that has winemaking and storage facilities on the property. Chteau-bottled wines are wines were bottled at the estate.
With over 9,000 individual chteaux in Bordeaux, travel opportunities are plentiful and include half- and full-day tours, tasting events and full packages that include overnight stays, cellar tours and all the food and wine that you can consume.
The Loire Valley and Burgundy are the other two leading wine-producing regions in France. The Loire Valley region is best known for Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc, with wineries nestled against the Loire River. The two most recognized wine types from this region are Vouvray and Sancerre.
The other great pinnacle of French winemaking excellence, Burgundy, produces some of the greatest Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs in the world. Grapes associated with this region include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc. The Burgundy region is located between the towns of Dijon and Lyon, with Chablis located to the north.
Many villages in the wine country have tasting rooms within the village, sometimes representing more than one winery. There may be a small charge for tasting in these places, but remember that a charge will often be less expensive than taking a full tour. A car or even a bicycle is the best way to get around the villages, and you can easily visit dozens of tasting rooms in a single afternoon.