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Wine Regions in Southern France

Southern France is splited into two groups. It used to produce Vin de Table wines at low prices but is changing recently.

Provence

Key Wines Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Cotes de Provence AC A vast range of soils in Southern France, including sandy, clay and gravel soils Rose Cinsault, Grenache, Tibouren 2-3
Coteaux d’Aix en Provence AC as above Rose Grenache, Cinsault, Mouvedre 2-3
Bandol as above Red Mouvedre These red wines are dark in colour, full bodied and high in tannins. In order to get their full flavors of bramble, meat and licorice, they need bottle age. 3-4
Vin de Pays des Bouches de Rhone as above Red Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre Southern Rhone style wines at low prices 1
Vin de Pays de Vaucluse as above Red Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre Southern Rhone style wines at low prices 1

Languedoc-Roussillon

Key Wines Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Coteaux du Langudoc AC Red Carignan, Grenache These red wines are spicy and full-bodied 1-2
Minervois AC Red Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre These red wines are spicy and full-bodied 2
Corbieres AC Red Carignan, Grenache, Cinsault These red wines are spicy and full-bodied 1-2
Fitou AC Red Carignan, Grenache, Syrah These red wines are spicy and full-bodied 1-2
Cote du Roussillon AC

Cote du Roussillon AC Villages

 Red Blend (mainly Carignan, Grenache) These red wines are high in acidity and tannins, very deep in  colour with bitter taste. 1
Vin de Pays d’Oc

Vin de Pays de I’Herault

Vin de Pays de I’Aude

Vin de Pays de Gard

 Red Various classical grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah Styles varies differently due to the range of grape varieties involved and the less stringent viticutural and vinification methods required for Vin de Pays wines. 1-2
White Various classical grapes, including Chadonnay, Sauvignon Blance, Viognier as above 1-2
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Wine Regions in The Rhone Valley

The Rhone Valley falls naturally into two distinct vine regions which have different climates and largely different grape varieties.

The Northern Rhone

Key AC Wines Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Cote-Rotie Granitic Soils Red Syrah The red wines can be blended with Viognier up to 20% but usually only less than 5% is used. The best wines are deeply colored, full-bodied, spicy and complex. 5
Condrieu Granitic Soils White Viognier The white wines, at its best, have a unique floral perfume when consumed young.

Chateau Grillet AC is a single vineyard within Condrieu. The best white wines here are made from grapes of low-yielding old vines and barrel-aged.

 5
Sanit-Joseph Granitic Soils Red Syrah The red wines are generally the lightest-bodied in the northern Rhone. They have notes of raspberry and pepper-perfume. 2-3
White Marsanne, Roussanne
Crozes-Hermitage Granitic Soils Red Syrah The red wines here are produced in large volumes. Therefore, the wine quailties and styles vary considerably.

15% cent of Marsanne or Roussanne can be blended with the red wines.

 2-3
White Marsanne, Roussanne The white wines are usually medium-bodied and fruity and should be consumed young. 2
Hermitage Granitic Soils Red Syrah The red Hermitage wine is one of the fullest-bodied of French wines. It can age well and can last for 50 years. 4
White Marsanne, Roussanne The white Hermitage wines are full-bodied and long-lived. They can evolve very complex honey and hazelnut flavours as they age.
Cornas Granitic Soils Red Syrah Most red wines in the Northern Rhone can be blended with white grapes but Cornas is the exception. The red wines here must be made from Syrah only, and are deeply colored and full-bodied. 3

The Southern Rhone

In addition to the range of grape varieties, the vinification methods also vary from places to places. As a result, it is hard to generalise a typical Southern Rhone red wine.

Key AC Wines Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Cotes du Rhone Sandy Soils Red Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre Most red wines under this AC is are light, friuty and simple. 1-2
White Clairette, Grenache Blanc 1-2
Rose Cinsault, Grenache 1-2
Cotes du Rhone Villages Sandy Soils Red Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre 2
White Clairette, Grenache Blanc 2
Rose Cinsault, Grenache 2
Vacqueyras Sandy Soils Red Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre 2-3
Gigondas Sandy Soils Red Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre 2-3
Chateauneuf-du-Pape Sandy Soils covered with rounded “pudding-stones” Red Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre Most red wines under this AC are a blend of different grapes, up to 13 varieties. In most cases, Grenache is the dominant grape type.

100% Grenache red wines are also produced, which are very intense if low-yielding vines are used

 3-5
White Clairette, Roussanne 3-5
Lirac Sandy Soils Red Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre 2
Rose Clnsault, Grenache 2
Tavel Sandy Soils Rose Clnsault, Grenache The rose wines are full-bodied, strongly flavored and capable of developing savory complexity. 2
Rhone Satellites

Cotes du Vivarais AC, Coteaux du Tricastin, Cotes du Ventoux, Cotes du Luberson, Costieres de Nimes

 Sandy Soils Red Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre 1
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Wine Regions in The Loire Valley

Unlike the other areas in France, there is no regional generic appellation for the Loire Valley. Vineyards here can be divided into four big regions which will be covered one by one.

The Central Vineyards

Key AC Wines Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Sancerre Chalky stony soil White Sauvignon Blanc The white wines made under this AC

  • are high acidity
  • have distinctive herbaceous aromas such as elderflower

From better vineyards or villages, the wines can

  • display a smoky minerality
  • age in the bottle (however, the white wines in Sancerre is generally not made for ageing
 2-3
Red, Rose Pinot Noir The ròse and red wines here are generally light in style. 3
Pouilly-Fume Chalky stony soil with more flint White Sauvignon Blanc The white wines here are dry and similar to Sancerre, but

  • are typically fruitier
  • less herbaceous
 2-4
Menetou-Salon Kimmeridgean clay soil White Sauvignon Blanc Similar to Sancerre 2
Red, Rose Pinor Noir Similar to Sancerre 2

Touraine

Key AC Wines Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Touraine

(Generic Appellation)

 Flinty, sandy and limestone soil White Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc 1-2
Red Gamay, Cabernet Franc, Malbec 1-2
Vouvray porous chalky limestone White Chenin Blanc Young white wines here have flavors that vary from fresh apple to exotic fruit. Depending on the ripeness of the grapes, they can also display smoky mineral notes or the influence of noble rot.

When the wines age, they become richer, rounder and more honeyed.

 2-4
Chinon 3 soil types

  • sandy
  • clay and gravel
  • limestone
 Red Cabernet Franc The red wines here have 3 distinct styles which are related to the soils where the vines are planted.

  • the lightest red wines come from the sandy-soil vineyards
  • firmer bodied wines from clay and gravel sites
  • The finest wines come from limestone soils
 2-3
Bourgueil Limestone Red Cabernet Franc The red wines here are fragrant and juicy with low tannins and refreshing acidity. They are suitable for lightly chilled before drinking. 2-3

Anjou-Saumur

Key AC Wines Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Saumur Limestone White Chenin Blanc The white wines here range from dry to sweet(in the best vintages only). 2
Red Cabernet Franc The best red wines are made under Saumur-Champigny AC and are produced to meet the consumer’s preference which changes from time to time. 2
Anjou White Chenin Blan Recently, a new style of Anjou Blanc was created to meet the change of declining demands for medium to sweet wines. This wine is made of grapes picked by hand in several times in different days and has a minimum of 13% potential alcohol. 2
Red Cabernet Franc 2
Rose Grolleau, Cabernet Franc, Gamay There are 3 Acs for rose wines

  • The highest is Cabenet d’Anjou, which is always medium sweet in style and is made from a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • Rose d’Anjou AC is less sweet and is made from a blend of Grolleau and Cabernet Franc and/or Gamay
  • Rose de Loire AC is always dry and must contain 30% Cabernet Franc at least in the blend.
 1
Coteaux du Layon White Chenin Blanc The best sweet white wines in Anjou-Saumur are made here. These wines

  • display fresh fruit character
  • have mouth-watering acidity
  • are full-bodied and high in alcohol
 2-4
Savennieres White Chenin Blanc The full-bodied, dry, white wines here are austere when young but with exceptional complexity. When ageing in the bottle, layers of honey and smoky-mineral flavors can build up. 2-4

The Nantais

Key AC Wines Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Muscadet schist and gneiss soils with some granite and sand White Melon Blanc (also known as Muscadet) The white wines here

  • display attractive green apple or grassy aromas
  • are food (seafood) friendly
  • should be drunk young
  • have 12.3% alcohol level at max ( Chaptalisation is allowed)
 1
Muscadet de Sevre et Maine as above White Melon Blanc Similar to Muscadet AC 1
Muscadet de Sevre et Maine sur Lie as above White Melon Blanc Allowing the lees to stay in the tank or cask will add yeasty character to the resulting white wines. These wines may have lazy bubbles beading the rim of the glass and have more body. 2


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Wine Regions in Alsace

The AC system in Alsace is very simple.

Key AC Wines Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Alsace or Vin d’Alsace Granite, limestone, sandstone, clay, loam White Riseling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Pinor Blanc, Syvanler 2-3
Red, Rose Pinot Noir The white wines are generally high in Acidity and low in alcohol. 2-3
Vendange Tardive, Selection de Grains Nobles as above White Riseling, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris The Vendange Tardive(VT) wines are made from late harvest grapes from one of the noble varieties shown on the left. The natural potential alcohol( Chaptalisation is not allowed) is 14% abv for Riesling and Muscat, and 15.3% for Pinot Gris and Gewuztramminer.

The Selection de Grains Nobles(SGN) wines are made from the selection of nobly rotten grapes and are thus sweet. The minimum natural potential alcohol must be 16.4% and 18.2% for Riesling/Muscat and Pinot Gris/Gewurztramminer respectively.

 3-5
Alsace Grand Cru as above White Riseling, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris The white wines produced under this category must only use a single noble grape variety 3-5
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Wine Regions in Burgundy

With the exception of Saint-Emilion, the highest ACs in Bordeaux are granted to the commune-level. Compared to Burgundy, the topmost ACs (Premier Cru and Grand Cru) are granted to individual vineyards. Generally speaking, Grand Cru sites have a better potential to make better wines than Premier Cru sites which in turn are better than the ordinary sites. The wines from Grand Cru sites account for less than 1% of the total production in Burgundy.

Burgundy Appellations (Regional ACs)

Key AC Wines Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Bourgogne Aligote White Aligote The white wines are generally high in Acidity and low in alcohol. 2
Bourgogne Rouge Red Pinor Noir The red wines under this AC must be made from the best varieties in which it is grown and must have a higher minimum alcohol level than the other regional wines. 2-3
Bourgogne Blanc White Chardonnay The white wines under this AC must be made from the best varieties in which it is grown and must have a higher minimum alcohol level than the other regional wines. 2-3
Bourgogne Passetourgrains Red Pinot Noir, Gamay The red wines are generally made of a mixture of both Pinot Noir and Gamay grapes. The former grape must account for at least 30% of the mixture. 2

Chablis

Key AC Wines Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Chablis best sites: limestone overlaid with a layer of Kimmeridgean

lesser sites: Portlandian clay

 White Chardonnay, the only permitted wine grape The ordinary white wines are generally very austere with green-plum fruit and high acidity. Better wines have a hint of stony or smoky minerality. 2-3
Chablis Premier Cru

(Montee de Tonnerre, Vaillons and Fourchaume are best known vineyards)

 limestone overlaid with a layer of Kimmeridgean White Chardonnay, the only permitted wine grape Compared to the Chablis AC wines, Chablis Premier Cru generally

  • shows riper fruit such as lemon rather than apple
  • more body and creamier texture
  • more pronounced mineral aromas
 3-4
Chablis Grand Cru

Only 7 vineyards and a brand name (La Moutonne) attain this qualification. They are Les Clos, Vaudesir, Valmur, Les Preuses, Bougros, Blanchot and Grenouliies.

 limestone overlaid with a layer of Kimmeridgean White Chardonnay, the only permitted wine grape Chablis Grand Cru wines and the best Premier Cru wines need bottle age to show their best. As they age, they can develop pronounced smoky complex aromas with long mouth watering finish due to their refreshingly high acidity. 4-5

The Cote D’Or – viticultural heartland of Burgundy

Key AC Wines Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Key Village wines of Cote de Nuits A mix of limestone and marl Red Pinot Noir 3-4
White Chardonnay 3-4
Premier Cru wines A mix of limestone and marl Red Pinor Noir 4
White Chardonnay 4
Grand Cru wines A mix of limestone and marl Red Pinor Noir 4-5
White Chardonnay 4-5
Cote de Nuits Villages / Cote de Beaune Villages A mix of limestone and marl Red Pinot Noir 2-3
Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes de Nuits / Hautes-Cotes de Beaune A mix of limestone and marl Red Pinor Noir 2
White Chardonnay 2

The Cote Chalonnaise

Key AC Wines Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise

(Regional Appelleation)

 A mix of limestone and marl Red Pinot Noir 2
White Chardonnay 2
Rully(sparkling wine as well), Mercurey(highest reputation in the region), Givry (smallest village)

(Village Appelleation)

 A mix of limestone and marl Red Pinor Noir 3-4
White Chardonnay 3-4
Montagny

(Village Appelleation)

 A mix of limestone and marl White Pinot Noir 3-4

Macon

Key AC Wines Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Macon

Macon Superieur AC (alcohol level is 0.5% than Macon AC)

(Regional Appelleation)

 Limestone-rich soil White Chardonnay The white wines made under this AC are

  • fresh apple or citrus fruit
  • crisp acidity
  • medium to full bodied
  • may be a hint of creaminess from malolactic fermentation
 1-2
Macon Villages Limestone-rich soil White Chardonnay The white wines made under this AC are similar to the white Macon AC but show more ripeness, body and character 2
Pouilly-Fuisse Limestone-rich soil White Chardonnay The grape berries are usually very ripe here because the vines are planted in amphitheater-like slopes which act as suntraps. Therefore, the white wines here

  • are higher in alcohol (up to 13.5%)
  • are very ripe and full bodied
  • show notes of peach and melon
  • display notes of savory and nutty if aged in new oak
 2-4

Beaujolais

Key AC Wines Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Beaujolais Red Gamay Beaujolais Nouveau is a red wine made for early drinking 1
Beaujolais Villages Granitic schist Red Gamay The red wines under this AC tend to be a blend between villages and give more character than Beaujolais AC. 1-2
10 Beaujolais Crus

Saint-Amour, Julienas, Chenas, Moulin a Vent, Chiroubles, Fleurie, Morgon, Regnie, Cote de Brouilly, Brouilly

 Granitic schist Red Gamay Brouilly has the largest production and is therefore widely availalbe.

Moulin a Vent and Morgon are the most powerful and full-bodied red wines amount the 10 crus. They can improve in bottle.

Some red wines will receive oak aging.

 2-3
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Wine Regions in South West of France

The wines in these regions can divided into two main styles

  • Bordeaux style
  • South-west style

Bordeaux Style

Key AC Wines Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Bergerac Red Canbernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot 2
Monbazillac White Canbernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc Botrytised sweet white wines 3-4
Cote de Duras Red Canbernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot Red wines here are a light version of Bordeaux style 2
Buzet Red Merlot, Canbernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc 2

South West Style

Key Wines Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Cahors AC Red Malbec, Merlot, Tannat All blended red wines here must contain at least 70% of Malbec. The best red wines here are typically

  • aged in oak
  • deeply coloured
  • high in tannin
  • with dark berry aroma
  • notes of cedar and earth when developing
 2
Madiran AC Red Tannat The red wines here are full-bodied and rustic brambly red. 2
Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne, Vin de Pays du Gers White Many different types which include Ugni Blanc The white wines produced under Vin de Pays category are generally crisp and light. 2
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Wine Regions in Bordeaux

West and South of the Gironde and Garonne

Key Commune ACs Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Saint-Estephe (Haut-Medoc) Red Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc 3-5
Pauillac (Haut-Medoc) Red Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc 3-5
Saint-Julien (Haut-Medoc) Red Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc 3-5
Margaux(Haut-Medoc) Red Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc 3-5
Pessac-Leognan (Graves) Red Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc 3-5
White Smellion, Sauvignon Blanc 3-5
Barsac (Graves) White Smellion, Sauvignon Blanc White wines produced here can call themselves either Barsac AC or Sauternes AC.

White wines here are a blend of Semillion (mainly), Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle.

  • Sauvignon Blanc supplies the blend with refreshing acidity and fruity aromas.
  • Muscadelle adds exotic perfume to the blend

The most expensive white wines made here are

  • from carefully selected grapes which are botrytis-affected
  • usually fermented and aged in new oak
  • high in alcohol
  • lusciously sweet
  • crisp acidity
  • aromas of botryis
  • notes of apricot, honey and vanilla
 3-5
Sauternes (Graves) White Smellion, Sauvignon Blanc Sauternes AC is given for sweet white wines only. Dry white wines produced here can only use and state Bordeaux AC on on the wine label. 3-5
Key District ACs Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Medoc Predominately clay and has significantly outcrops of gravel Red Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc 2-3
Haut-Medoc Red Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc 3-4
Graves Red wine grapes from gravel and white wine grapes from sandier soil Red Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc Most Red Wines are made of Cabernet Sauvignon. These wine are light-bodied with more fragrant that the red wines from Haut-Medoc, and mature more quickly. 2-3
White Smellion, Sauvignon Blanc White wines here are normally dry but you will find some sweet wines ocassionally 2-3
Key Generic ACs Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Bordeaux Superieur N/A Red Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc Similar to the non-superieur versions but with higher alcohol content 1-2
Bordeaux N/A Red Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc Most red wines are rather thin with astringent tannins and unripe flavours from over-cropped vines.

Some better red wines are medium-bodied and dry with some black berry and cedar notes.

 1-2
White Smellion, Sauvignon Blanc Most blended white wines can be rather plain dry but some show a little fresh grassiness from the Sauvignon Blanc.

Varietal Sauvignon Blanc wines can be very crisp with elderflower aromas

 1-2

Between the Garonne and the Dordogne

Key Commune ACs Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Sainte-Croix-du-Mont White Smellion, Sauvignon Blanc Sweet white wines here are made in the Sauternes style but they generally have less concentration and complexity because the grapes here have lower level of botrytis. 2-3
Key District ACs Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Entre-Deux-Mers White Smellion, Sauvignon Blanc White wines are

  • dry
  • most likely a blend of Smellion and Sauvignon Blanc

Varietal Sauvignon Blanc wines become more and more popular
Red wines can be made here, but need to be produced under Bordeaux AC.

 1-2
Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux Red Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc Red wines here are usually dry and similar to those made under Bordeaux AC. 1-2

North and East of the Garonne and the Dordogne

Key Commune ACs Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Saint-Emilion satellites

(Lussac, Montange, Puissegin and Saint-Gerorges)

 Red Merlot, Cabernet Franc 2-3
Saint-Emilion 3 distinct groups of soils

  • gravel and limestone
  • limestone
  • sandy soils
 Red Merlot, Cabernet Franc For the red wines made from the grapes planted in Gravel/Limestone and Limestone soil, please refer to the typical wine styles of Saint-Emilion Grand Cru below.

For the red wines from sandy-soil vineyards, they are usually lighter compared to those from gravel-limestone-soil vineyards.

 3-4
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru gravel and limestone Red Merlot, Cabernet Franc Red wines made under Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AC are

  • from low-yielding and gravel-limestone-soil vineyards
  • usually aged in expensive oak
  • with rich tannins and complex red berry fruit aromas
  • with nose of tobacco and cedar as the wines are developing
 4-5
Pomerol

Petrus and Le Pin are the vineyards with highest reputation here

 Red Merlot, Cabernet Franc The red wines here are usually richer with a spicier and blackberry fruit character. 4-5
Fonsac / Canon-Fronsac Red Merlot, Cabernet Franc They are the two places offer excellent value in the red wines of Bordeaux which are full-bodied and high in tannins. 3
Key District ACs Soil Type(s) Wine Main Wine Grapes Typical Wine Styles Price Range
Cotes de Bourg Red Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec The red wines here are made for early drinking and sold under chateau names. 2
Premieres Cotes de Blaye Red Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec The red wines here are made for early drinking and sold under chateau names. 2
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