French wine can be so confusing since most French wines identify the region in which they are produced on the label and usually don’t show the grape varietal used to make the wine.
So, here are several of the major wine regions in France and the grapes used in their wines:
Alsace: Wines of this region include Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer. Contrary to most of France, wine labels on Alsace wines list the grapes used.
Bordeaux: The Gironde Estuary divides the Bordeaux region into the Right Bank and the Left Bank. The Bordeaux region produces nearly 90% red wines that are usually blends. The Right Bank is dominated by Merlot while the Left Bank is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. Additionally, their red wine blends may include Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenère. In January of 2021, the governing body in Bordeaux allowed four new red varieties, including Touriga Nacional, Marselan, Castets, and Arinarnoa. But, these grapes may only account for five percent of the planted vineyard area, and a maximum of ten percent of a wine blend.
Burgundy: A red Burgundy is a Pinot Noir while a white Burgundy is a Chardonnay.
Beaujolais: While considered its own growing region, Beaujolais is also considered part of Burgundy. This region produces wines from the Gamay grape. Legally, most producers may use up to 15% of white varieties in the blend, but almost all the region's red wine is 100% Gamay. Less than 2% of Beaujolais wine are white, being produced with Chardonnay.
Chablis: All white wines produced in Chablis are made exclusively from the Chardonnay grape.
Champagne: The Champagne region is best known for their sparkling wine which is most commonly produced by blending Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.
Languedoc-Rousillon: This region is best known for Grenache and Carignan blends.
Loire Valley: More than half of the Loire Valley wines are white, mostly from Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc grapes. Red wines are produced from the Cabernet Franc grape.
Provence: This region produces crisp, dry roses and red blends. The grapes include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Vernentino (a.k.a. Rolle).
Rhone Valley: The red wines from the Rhône Valley are focused on Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes and commonly a blend of the three which is often referred to as GSM. The white wines may include Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Grenache Blanc.