Best Wine Tasting Experiences in France: French Wine Tours & More

Tasting at a winemaker, visit to cellars, stroll through the vineyards, oenological workshop for a team building, ... set off to discover the French viticultural terroir and its wine routes thanks to Winalist. Experiences around me
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Winalist's top picks

Initiation to Sabrage - Champagne
highest rated
Champagne Pol Couronne

Champagne Pol Couronne

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Oenological workshop
4.5 (4)
Initiation to Sabrage - Champagne

€52.00 per person • 1h00

Discovery tour of Lafaurie-Peyraguey
highest rated
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, 1er Grand Cru Classé

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, 1er Grand Cru Classé

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Visit and tasting
5 (3)
Discovery tour of Lafaurie-Peyraguey

€25.00 per person • 1h00

Best cities to visit in France

Epernay Epernay
Reims Reims
Troyes Troyes
Strasbourg Strasbourg
Colmar Colmar
Riquewihr Riquewihr
Kaysersberg Kaysersberg
Bordeaux Bordeaux
Pauillac Pauillac
Margaux Margaux
Saint-Emilion Saint-Emilion
Dijon Dijon
Beaune Beaune
Nîmes Nîmes
Montpellier Montpellier
Narbonne Narbonne
Carcassonne Carcassonne
Perpignan Perpignan
Saumur Saumur
Chinon Chinon
Tours Tours
Amboise Amboise
Aix-en-Provence Aix-en-Provence
Marseille Marseille
Nice Nice
Patrimonio Patrimonio
Ajaccio Ajaccio
Agen Agen
Avignon Avignon
Lyon Lyon
Paris Paris
Bandol Bandol
Chablis Chablis
Saint-Tropez Saint-Tropez
Toulouse Toulouse
Sancerre Sancerre
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Find your next wine experience in France

Meal Meal

Meal

Oenological workshop Oenological workshop

Oenological workshop

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Ride

Tasting Tasting

Tasting

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Best wineries to visit in France

The essential tour
My Vintage Tour Company

My Vintage Tour Company

Tour / Excursion
The essential tour

€45.00 / person • 2h00

4.9 (16)
Nature Visit
Château la Martinette

Château la Martinette

Oenological workshop
Nature Visit

€39.00 / person • 2h30

5 (1)
Moët & Chandon "Imperial Instant" Tour
Champagne Moët & Chandon

Champagne Moët & Chandon

Visit and tasting
Moët & Chandon "Imperial Instant" Tour

€40.00 / person • 1h30

4.6 (51)
Permanent exhibition and tasting at the Belvedere
Cité Du Vin de Bordeaux

Cité Du Vin de Bordeaux

Visit and tasting
Permanent exhibition and tasting at the Belvedere

€22.00 / person • 8h00

5 (1)
instant booking
Moët & Chandon "Imperial Instant" Tour
Champagne Moët & Chandon
Champagne Moët & Chandon
Visited Moët & Chandon "Imperial Instant" Tour
4.6 (51)
"Moet et Chandon maison has greatly organized facility with guide tour and short brochure. Secured Parking is also p..."

Motohiko H.

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More to Know About France Wine Travel

What types of wines do wineries produce in France? +

In France, you can experience the full spectrum of wine types. There are reds and whites; rosé (a version of rose); sparkling wines (usually made in Champagne); sweet wines such as Sauternes or Banyuls; and even a few fortified options, such as port. The French are known for their high-quality reds, though they also make excellent whites that you should definitely try while visiting.

Where can you find sparkling wine in France? +

France is one of the world's biggest producers of still wines and sparkling wine. The most famous region for bubbly is Champagne, but you can also find great sparkling wines in Alsace, Loire and Jura.


Sparkling wine differs from still wine in a couple of ways: it's produced using a secondary fermentation process that creates CO2 bubbles (still wine doesn't have this step), and the grapes used to make it are different than those used to make stills.


The main grapes used to produce champagne are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier; other regions use Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc as well as Pinot Blanc or Aurore (for rosé).

What type of wine is France known for? +

France produces a variety of famous wines, most notably being its renowned reds from the bordeaux region and its light sparkling varieties from the Champagne region, just outside of Paris. The Champagne region, closely located to France’s capital, Paris, is home to some of the most prestigious champagnes in the world, including producers like Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot. France is even home to an upscale vineyard that was once owned by Leonardo da Vinci.

What is a French Wine Appellation? +

A French wine appellation is a legally defined wine region. Appellations are used to protect the reputation of a wine region and its wines, ensuring authenticity and quality for each variety. There are over 360 wine appellation areas in France, each of which is legally defined and strictly regulated to protect the reputation of the region and its wines. These appellations can be divided into two categories:

  • Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) wines, which are wines that have been granted an official certification by a government-appointed panel. These wines must meet certain guidelines in order to be given this certification. The criteria include everything from grape variety to winemaking methods and even where on their property they are allowed to plant their vines!
  • Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP) wines, which are similar to AOC wines but do not require as stringent standards. Therefore, these wines are often more affordable or have simpler production methods that give you significant purchasing power during your trip abroad.
When is the best time to visit France for wine tasting? +

It is always a good time to visit France for wine tasting. However, if you're aiming for peak harvest season, the best time to visit France for wine tastings is between June and September. These months make up one of the most pleasant seasons in France in terms of mild weather. French grapes are ripe for harvesting during this timeframe, which means you'll get a lot of information on them from your guides and local winemakers.


During other seasons like winter or spring, France's weather is milder but not warm enough for good grape ripening; many wineries close during these days since they don't have much business. However, you can always determine which wineries will be open during your visit to France using Winalist's wine tour search.

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Italy Italy

Italy

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Spain Spain

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USA USA

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France is one of the most popular wine-producing countries in the world. Offering more than 27,000 wineries and more than 60 appellations d'origine contrôlée (AOC), France produces billions of bottles of wine per year.

With so many different types of wine to try and so many beautiful regions to explore, it can be challenging to decide which region of France you should visit first. From Bordeaux and Burgundy wineries to Champagne houses and beyond, Winalist is here to help you plot your relaxing (and delicious) escape into French wine country.

French wine-tasting experiences may entail visiting several vineyards and producers in one day, where you will be able to taste all kinds of different wines and learn about their history and production methods. French wine tours allow ample time for exploring local areas through its various vineyards, cellars, and restaurants. Winalist provides white-glove, end-to-end wine excursion planning to help you have the vacation of a lifetime. We help you find, vet, and book the best wine tours in the region of France you’re interested in visiting.


About French Wine Tours & Wine Tasting in France

The French are among the best producers of wine in the world. French wine is known for its quality, diversity, and taste. Not only does this European country produce great wine, but it also exports much of its delicious production to various countries across the globe. France produces over 30 different types of grape varieties that go into making red wines, white wines, rosés (both white or pink), sparkling wines (like Champagne), and more that are enjoyed all over the world. You can enjoy these delightful flavors and more during your visit to France, where tasting sessions with local hosts allow you to learn about different kinds of wine and pair them with delicious meals at authentic local restaurants nearby. Winalist is on a mission to provide you with the best wine-tasting experiences that France has to offer. France boasts a surplus of year-round wine tasting tours, excursions, and experiences. These might include adventures such as private tours, wine tastings, and wine-country day trips.


The Best French Wine Regions to Visit

There are six regions that have become synonymous with French wine tasting. These include Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire Valley, Alsace, and Rhone Valley. Each region has its own unique varietals, local products, and traditions.


French Wine Tastings & Wine Tours

Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway with your significant other or a fun family adventure with your children in tow, Winalist’s community of spectacular French wineries have something to suit your needs.

All French wine tours are locally-ran and begin at varying times throughout the day. Each tour generally includes transportation by luxury vehicle from major cities in France, such as Paris. Some tours also include meals catered by French chefs. Many are led by expert guides who can answer any of your questions about French wines and provide personalized recommendations based on your taste and preferences.

The best way to tour French wine country is with a professional guide who can explain the nuances of each wine region in France and make recommendations for which wines you should try, how to pair them with food, and more. There are many different types of wine tours in France that you can book through Winalist’s platform: from guided winery visits to private countryside experiences; from bike tours to walking tours; from full-day excursions to half-day trips. If you’re traveling with friends or family, then consider joining other people on one of these tours for an unforgettable experience (and perhaps some new friends). You should discover our top France wine regions to visit in 2023.

If you want a tour that’s a little more intimate, take a look at Winalist’s options for small groups. We've curated some of our favorite experiences in every region so that you don't have to do any research—just pick one, book, and go!

History of French Winemaking

French wine dates back to the Neolithic period when people began to grow grape vines in France. A significant turning point in France's winemaking came after the fall of the Roman Empire and later with the rule of Charlemagne, who brought together several different regions into one unified kingdom. This eventually led to a common language, which helped spread French wine ideas around Europe and beyond.

Today, France is home to more than 3,000 different wines made by more than 8 million growers across 30 wine regions that extend from north to south across the country's diverse landscape.

France is known for its distinctive wines, from sparkling Champagne to red Bordeaux. Many of these wines can only be found in France, so if you’re a wine enthusiast, it’s time to get out there and explore the country! If you want to learn more about French wine tasting experiences with our team at Winalist or explore some of our other tours around Europe then check out our website today.

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