French Wines

Bordeaux for structured red blends, Burgundy for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the Rhône for Syrah-based reds, the Loire for crisp whites, Provence for rosé, and Champagne for sparkling.

French wine is labeled by place, not variety, because the region implies the grape. A red Burgundy is Pinot Noir; a Sancerre is Sauvignon Blanc; a Chablis is Chardonnay. Learn a handful of regions and the labels decode themselves.

It's the legally defined growing area, with rules covering which grapes can be planted, yields, and how the wine is made. Look for AOC or AOP — it's a guarantee of origin, not of quality.

No. The famous châteaux and grand cru bottles command high prices, but everyday regional wines from the Loire, Rhône and southern France are among the best values on any wine shelf.