From the robust reds of the Rhône Valley to the bubbles of Champagne, French wine regions are among the best on the planet. While most wine enthusiasts know their Bordeaux from their Burgundy, they often overlook the lesser-known gems of French oenology.
Today we’re taking you on an expedition through our picks for the finest underrated regions in the home of wine, from Cahors to Corsica and beyond. Pour yourself a glass and enjoy the journey.
Image: Ultimate Driving Tours
A guide to the wine regions of France
To say France knows wine is an understatement, with the 17 wine regions of France producing approximately 990 million gallons in 2023. Here are those considered the most popular and iconic.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is undeniably one of the most famous wine regions in France. Sitting on the Atlantic coast, this moderate-climate region is synonymous with full-bodied reds, most of which are blends using Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Bordeaux is home to world-famous appellations including Pauillac, Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, producing prestigious age-worthy wines that are worth their price tags.
Burgundy
Best known for its dynamic terroir of limestone, clay and marl, Burgundy (or Bourgogne) produces acclaimed red and white wines, specifically Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Stretching from the north of Lyon to the South of Paris, Burgundy has the most appellations in France (84), producing elegant and complex terroir-driven wines.
Champagne
Perhaps the most famous region on this list, Champagne is home to the celebratory sparkling wine that’s often made from a blend of red and white grapes including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Close to Paris, the famous chateaux of this cool-climate region produce sparkling vintage, non-vintage and rosé wines, all of which are highly regulated for consistency and quality.
Loire Valley
The Loire river runs through central France and the vineyards of the cool-climate Loire Valley line its banks. Vintners in the valley offer a diverse selection, including Cabernet Franc and Rose d’Anjou made from a blend of local grapes. Yet the Loire Valley is best known for its dry whites, including Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé (both Sauvignon Blanc).
Image: Ultimate Driving Tours
Provence
The delightful lavender-scented region of Provence is regarded as France’s most historic wine-growing area and the home of refreshing rosé – the perfect complement to its hot Mediterranean climate. Rosé aside, Provence is also known to produce both red and white wines, focusing on local grapes like Grenache, Syrah and Vermentino (Rolle).
Côtes du Rhône
The Rhône Valley in southeast France is a verdant region producing esteemed reds made from grapes such as Grenache and Syrah. The styles and compositions of blends produced in this region vary greatly from north to south. To the north, steep terraced hillsides and granite soil come together to create six types of wines, including Côte Rôtie Syrah and Condrieu, while the south is home to the highly regarded Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Alsace
Nestled in the foothills of the Rhine valley beneath the Vosges mountains, Alsace’s proximity to Germany is reflected in its bottling, labelling and grapes – particularly the German-born Riesling, as well as the local aromatic Gewurztraminer and peachy Pinot Gris. Naturally, vibrant dry whites are the speciality of Alsace.
Image: Ultimate Driving Tours
Discovering underrated French wines and regions
While the most popular French wines may come from quintessential French regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne, other areas are producing astounding wines that deserve their time in the spotlight.
Languedoc-Roussillon
The most underrated wines in France tend to come from the workhorse region of Languedoc-Roussillon. While as an area it is undervalued, Languedoc happens to be France’s largest wine region. Languedoc once had the reputation of churning out quantity over quality, but today its local producers are ambitious and dynamic, delivering show-stopping French red wines that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the more illustrious regions.
Jura
The cool-climate Jura region in the east of France produces unusual and underrated wines that are very rewarding. Chardonnay and Savagnin dominate the distinctive whites in this region, with the unique oxidised wine called Vin Jaune – aged under a layer of yeast – a must-try for sherry aficionados. The reds from Jura are made primarily from Poulsard, Trousseau and Pinot Noir, with rustic and earthy qualities.
Image: Adobe Stock Images - Ldgfr Photos
Beaujolais
The region of Beaujolais is best known for the famous wine races of the eighties, where British enthusiasts rushed to France to bring the first bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau home each November. While Nouveau is a fun wine, it often overshadows the region’s more illustrious crus, such as Morgon and Moulin-à-Vent, offering powerful reds with good potential for ageing.
Cahors
Around 100 miles east of Bordeaux, Cahors is France’s answer to Mendoza in Argentina. Once known for its highly tannic ‘black wines’, Cahors is gaining recognition for its excellent reds, predominantly made from Malbec (locally known as Côt). These delightful wines are earthier and less refined compared to their Argentinian counterparts.
Corsica
In the shimmering Mediterranean sea between Provence and Tuscany lies the island of Corsica, boasting more than 30 traditional grape varieties. While under French rule, Corsica’s proximity to Italy is reflected in its output. Coastal vineyards produce characterful reds made from local grapes including Niellucciu and Sciaccarellu, while the French white wines made from Vermentino (known locally as Rolle) are aromatic and citrussy with a minerality showcasing the island’s coastal location.
Image: Ultimate Driving Tours
Looking beyond the popular to uncover hidden gems
Considering France’s global reputation, many popular French wines still inexplicably go under the radar. This is not bad news though, as you can find many of these gorgeous wines at very reasonable prices.
A wine that deserves more attention is the champagne from picturesque Picardy – that’s right, a champagne not from the Champagne region! After receiving its legal right to make and sell champagne in 1936, the region is now responsible for around 10% of France’s champagne production and produces it in three varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. With a slightly cooler and wetter climate than the central Champagne region, grapes from Picardy tend to have a higher acidity, resulting in a particularly crisp and refreshing wine. Meanwhile the region’s diverse terroir and more enthusiastic use of Pinot Meunier offer more complexity than standard champagne.
If you look beyond the famous reds of Bordeaux – admittedly a difficult task – you will find a hidden gem: White Bordeaux. With a distinctive blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, White Bordeaux is rich, vibrant and has excellent ageing potential, all while typically more affordable compared to more renowned white wine regions.
As for reds, Syrah may be more associated with Côtes du Rhône, but to overlook the Syrah of Provence would be a mistake. Provençal Syrah – often blended with other grapes such as Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault – tends to be deep and aromatic, with added complexity from the Mediterranean garrigue (natural herbal vegetation) of the area.
Other stealthy red wines are the rustic reds from the up-and-coming area of Marcillac, which use the Fer Servadou grape. These interesting red wines are deep ruby, with vibrant aromas and subtle minerality due to the iron-rich soil in the area. Despite their quality, wines from Marcillac are relatively unknown outside France and represent excellent value.
Image: Ultimate Driving Tours
What makes these underappreciated regions some of our favourites
While enjoying a glass or three from the more famous French wine regions will never be a chore, buying from the lesser-known areas has its benefits.
Firstly, as a wine enthusiast, you owe it to yourself to expand your palate and broaden your horizons. Nothing beats the feeling of unearthing a new favourite wine or a new twist on classic expressions, and this comes naturally as you try more underappreciated wines.
Then comes the question of value. Whether you are buying to drink now or to invest, wines from lesser-known French wine regions often offer much better value than the classics. Digging deeper allows you to experience wines of exceptional quality at a fraction of the price. For example, a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the Southern Rhône Valley may set you back around £50 to £100, while a comparable bottle of Faugères from the Languedoc region may be around £10 to £20.
Finally, buying from these undervalued regions supports smaller wine producers, which are often independent family-owned businesses typically using traditional and sustainable processes. Supporting these wineries can help preserve regional wine traditions and biodiversity, something which is worth raising a glass to.
Image: Adobe Stock Images - Tupungato
What is France’s most underrated wine region?
All things considered, we feel that the most underrated wine region is Languedoc-Roussillon in the south of France.
This diverse region offers a variety of terroirs including coastal plains, hillsides and mountainous areas, as well as several indigenous and international grape varieties, such as Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
While it once suffered from the reputation of being both lower in price and quality, Languedoc’s vintners have significantly upped their game and now produce red, white, rosé and sparkling wines of exceptional quality at a fraction of the cost of similar bottles from better known regions.
Image: Ultimate Driving Tours
Join us to tour France’s wine regions in true luxury
Whether you’re a seasoned sommelier or enthusiastic amateur, you can experience the finest French wine regions by joining us on our luxury driving tour of France.
On this luxury bucket-list adventure, you will drive a fleet of latest-release supercars from Lyon to Epernay, via Beaujolais, Burgundy and Champagne, with plenty of opportunity to sample the fine wines from these regions and beyond. Spend the week exploring wine country, delighting in epicurean experiences, and relaxing in the finest boutique accommodation.
Places are limited for our 2025 tour, so early booking is essential. If you want to learn more about this luxury tour or any of our bucket-list driving adventures, speak with our friendly travel concierge team today.
Share Article
