FRANCE
Despite the strength of wines from California and other “New World” regions, France is still considered the best region in the world for excellent wines.
French wine producing areas are divided in to regions:
| Alsace | Riesling Rose |
Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Noir Pino Gris |
| Beaujolais | Red White |
Chardonnay Gamay |
| Bordeaux | Red White |
Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot |
| Burgundy | Red White |
Pinot Noir Gamay Chardonnay |
| Champagne | White Red Champagne |
Pinot Noir Pinot Meunier Chardonnay |
| Loire Valley | Rose Red White Sparkling |
Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Noir Pinot Gris |
| Rhone Valley | Red White Sparkling |
Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon Muscat |
Look for these terms on the label of French wines. It will give you a clue to the sweetness of the wine.
Sec Dry
Brut Dry (Champagne)
Demi-sec Off-dry (in Champagne, fairly sweet)
Doux Sweet
Liquoreau Very Sweet
GERMANY
Germany is best known for white wines, especially Rieslings.
The labels on German wines provide some clues to the consumer:
Trocken dry
Halbtroken half-dry
In addition, the German government has created a regulated system for ranking German wines:
| Qualitatswein mit Pradikat (QmP) | Highest quality table wine |
| Qualitatswein bestimmte Anbaugebiete (QbA) | Middle quality table wine |
| Tafelwein | Lowest quality table wine |
SPAIN
The wine industry in Spain has a history as long as France’s. Spain is best known for red wines, sparkling wines and Sherry.
Spanish wine regions:
| Rioja | Red | Tempranillo |
| Catalonia | Red Sparkling wines |
Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Jerez | Sherry | |
Label terms for Spanish wines:
Seco dry
Semi-seco medium dry
Dulce sweet
PORTUGAL
Portuguese wines have achieved popularity around the world, but have not really caught on in the United States.
The wines are strong and not typically as fruity as American wines.
| Vinhos Verde | Red White |
| Douro | Port |
| Dao | Red |
| Bairrada | Red |
ITALY
Italian wines are divided into 20 regions
Abruzzo
Aosta Valley
Apulia
Basilicata
Calabria
Campania
Emilia-Romagna
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Latium
Liquria
Lombardy
Marches
Molise
Piedmont
Sardinia
Siciliy
Trentino-Alto Adiqe
Tuscany
Umbria
Veneto
Italian wine labels may be marked with these:
| Secco | dry |
| Semisecco | medium dry |
| Abboccatoor Amabile | medium sweet |
| Dolce | sweet |
UNITED STATES
The west coast of the US is home to most of the wine producers in the country.
| Napa Valley, California | Red White |
Chardonnay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Zinfandel Syrah |
| Sonoma, California | White Red Sparkling wines |
Chardonnay Pinot Noir |
| Washington | White | Chardonnay Riesling |
| Oregon | Red White |
Pinot Noir Chardonnay Pinot Gris |
CHILE
| Maipo Valley | Red | Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Carmenere Syrah |
AUSTRALIA
Australian winemakers often employ unconventional methods when producing wines, creating some unique and flavorful wines.
| Barossa Valley | Red | Shiraz/Syrah |
| South Australia | White | Cabernet Sauvignon Riesling Semillion |
| Clare Valley, South Australia | White Red |
Riesling Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz |
| Coonawarra, South Australia | Red | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Heathcote, Victoria | Red White |
Shiraz Viognier |
| Hunter Valley, New South Wales | Red | Shiraz Semillion |
| McLaren Vale, South Australia | Red | Shiraz |
| Margaret River, Western Australia | White Red |
Sauvignon Blanc Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Mudgee, New South Wales | Red White |
Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay |
| Tasmania | Red | Pinot Noir |
| Yarra Valley, Victoria | White Red |
Chardonnay Pinot Noir |
NEW ZEALAND
The wide contrast in climates and soil types in New Zealand have created 11 wine regions in the country.
| Auckland | White Red |
Chardonnay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Canterbury | White Red |
Chardonnay Riesling Pinot Noir |
| Gisborne | White | Chardonnay Riesling Chenin Blanc Gewurztraminers |
| Hawke’s Bay | White Red |
Chardonnay Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Marlborough | White | Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay |
| Nelson | White Red |
Chardonnay Riesling Pinot Noir |
| Northland | Red White |
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Chardonnay |
| Otago | Red White |
Pinot Noir Chardonnay |
| Waikato | White | Chardonnay Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Blanc |
| Waipara | White Red |
Chardonnay Pinot Noir |
| Wairarapa | Red White |
Pinot Noir Chardonnay Riesling |