The Best French Wine Regions to Visit—and What to Drink When in Each

If you’ve ever had French food, you’ve probably had Burgundy wine. It’s what’s used in classic dishes like coq au vin and bœuf bourguignon—it’s right there in the name, “Bourgogne,” the French word for the region. Viticulture, the growing of grapes, has happened in Burgundy ever since the Roman conquest of Gaul in the second century, and perhaps even before then. So folks here have been working with the land (alternately hilly and flat) and the climate (cold winters, hot summers, and unpredictable precipitation) for eons, giving them time to master the region’s grapes, nowadays predominantly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It’s a highly-prized winemaking region in France, and perhaps one of the most famous in the world. It’s so complex that there are about 100 appellations in Burgundy, but with some likely-familiar names such as Chablis and Beaujolais among them.

Also, I should mention: In most of France, wines are often called by their appellations rather than the grapes they’re made of; so when you’re at a restaurant and you order a Chablis, there’s really no need to ask where it’s from. It’s a cute quirk of the country’s wine ways: You’re drinking not just a grape, but the place itself.

How to visit: For a place that can expertly give you a grand survey of Burgundy’s finest wines, the place to go is Maison Louis Jadot, in the town of Beaune. Its extensive wine shop offers regular tastings; call ahead for a customized experience. To visit the winery and the cellars, make an appointment. Stay nearby at either Hostellerie Cèdre & Spa Beaune or L’Hôtel de Beaune.