France

The notion of “French wine” conjures images of an exclusive bottle aged in the wine cellar of an ancient chateau in a famous region like Bordeaux, Burgundy or Champagne. The country’s wine reputation is well deserved. France is considered by many wine enthusiasts to be an icon of quality.

The country’s efforts to ensure the authenticity of each wine produced in France led to strict appellation laws, inspiring other wine producing nations to adopt similar standards.

Winemaking in France began in ancient times when the Greeks brought vines to the Mediterranean coast. Today, there are seven primary regions for winemaking in France, but wine is produced in hundreds of French villages, drawing tourists from all over the world.