Producer Guide
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About

France

Two things distinguish France from its wine-producing neighbours. The first is that it is the only major nation to combine northerly, cool-climate vineyard sites with southerly, Mediterranean ones. And the second is its topographical diversity, with three mountain massifs and five significant river basins sculpting its landmass. The result is a disparate and deeply characterful cluster of vineyard regions, giving rise to a wine culture of unrivalled finesse. In no other country on earth is wine taken so seriously and thought-about so deeply, by wine creators and wine drinkers alike.

Alsace

Alsace

65 producers

The heartland of Riesling and a hub of vibrantly aromatic white wines, and evermore exciting reds. Its varied soils make it one of the most rewarding regions in the world to explore different terroir expressions.

Beaujolais

Beaujolais

53 producers

The home of Gamay with the best hailing from one of the 10 beautifully named crus that stretch across its pink granite, schist and sandy soils. An integral part of the natural wine movement, and a much more interesting story than the tired old carbonic and nouveau stereotypes suggest.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux

207 producers

The grandfather of fine wine, a land of fairytale chateaux and the world’s most expensive pebbles. The old stalwarts need no introduction, but there’s a new bubbling scene happening just below the surface too – an unexpected hub of innovation, modernity and rejuvenation.

Bourgogne

Bourgogne

231 producers

The most revered and expensive expressions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the world hail from these incredible terroirs. You could spend a lifetime mastering the intricacies of this region and there’d still be more to know. It’s not all about prestige though, there’s value, excitement and intrigue if you know where to look.

Champagne

Champagne

118 producers

34,000-odd hectares, 319 villages, 280,000 plots, and more than 16,000 growers combine to create the homeland of traditional method fizz. You already know the basics, but the trends towards sustainability, terroir expression, ‘grower champagnes’ and interesting new varieties means there’s plenty still left to discover.

Corsica

Corsica

34 producers

This vibrant region lies closer to the shores of Italy than France, and specialises in Italian wines with a distinctly French accent. The most mountainous island in the Mediterranean, the vineyards cling to the coast growing varieties such as Nielluccio, Sciacarello and Grenache as well as some outstanding dessert wines.

Jura

Jura

41 producers

This quirky, esoteric, idiosyncratic wine region sits out on its own near the Swiss border. The outstanding wines from Chardonnay, Savagnin, Poulsard, Trousseau, and Pinot Noir have long been sommelier favourites, and the unique Vin Jaune is rightly revered as one of France’s great gifts to the wine world.

Languedoc

Languedoc

196 producers

Producing nearly a third of all French wine and with an output greater than the whole of Australia, it’s no surprise to find outstanding examples of every shape and colour here. Long associated with value, modern Languedoc is undergoing a quality resurgence with a new wave of winemakers embracing the relative legislative freedom found here to produce outstanding wines that showcase the enviable terroirs of the region.

Loire Valley

Loire Valley

193 producers

In this cool, northerly region we find some of the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc vines, meandering along the banks of France’s longest river. Today the famous vineyards of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé are having their heels snapped by the fresh, exciting wines of Menetou-Salon and Coteaux du Giennois. Further downstream comes the exciting resurgence of Muscadet wines, and the ever-improving reds. Red, white, rosé, sweet, dry and sparkling, Loire Valley has it all.

Provence

Provence

86 producers

So much more than identikit pale rosés. The trend towards more regional exploration and terroir-focussed wines shows that at their best, Provence rosé can certainly be considered one of the great wines of France. But there’s also an exciting array of vibrant whites really making waves, and of course the famed, dense, meaty red wines from the twisted old Mourvèdre vines of Bandol.

Rhône Valley

Rhône Valley

162 producers

One of the great wine regions, that neatly splits into two. The Northern Rhône Syrahs from Hermitage or Côte-Rôtie are rightly counted amongst the world’s best, but the textural, waxy whites have so much to offer too. In the south our guide will show you the best of CNDP, but up-and-coming regions like Gigondas and Vacqueras are now firmly on the map too, offering staggering quality and value for money.

Roussillon

Roussillon

60 producers

Often lumped together with its more sprawling neighbour to the East, Roussillon has its own unique identity and portfolio of outstanding wines. Battered by the region’s 7 winds, gnarly old Grenache, Syrah & Carignan vines produce dark, inky reds and textured whites from Grenache Blanc and friends. And of course the outstanding and often criminally overlooked Vin Doux Naturels are not to be missed.

Savoie

Savoie

39 producers

Nestled down in the foothills of the Alps, the fresh climate of this fascinating region is most conducive to white wines from Chasselas, Jacquère, Altesse, Roussanne, and the local Gringet variety. But reds from Mondeuse, Persan and Gamay can do well here too, and hidden gems like the sparkling Molette from Seyssel highlight this region’s unique contribution to the French wine landscape.

South-West

South-West

71 producers

Encompassing Madiran, Jurançon, Bergerac, Cahors and more, this vast, sprawling region encompasses some of France’s most interesting and best value appellations that all seem to fly slightly under the radar. Our guide helps navigate through the incredible diversity of wines found here: outstanding examples of every style of wine live within its boundaries.