Roger Voss

Stretching 250 miles south from the San Francisco Bay to Santa Barbara County is the Central Coast Wine Region, a coastal sprawl responsible for about 15% of California’s total wine production. In the northern parts of the Central Coast, Chardonnay tends to dominate the plantings, with Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon also playing significant roles.

The Champagne region is home to some of the world's most iconic brands,  including Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, Perrier-Jouet, Piper-Heidsieck, Bollinger and Dom Pérignon. These wines are known for their delicate flavors and aromas, with a crisp acidity and a fine mousse. Champagne is often associated with celebrations and special occasions, and the wines from this region are sure to impress.

By far the largest, the most important, and one of the best French wine regions, both for high-end wines and for bargains, is Bordeaux. Great reds from the renowned chateaus are what make the headlines, but Bordeaux is so big, that there is plenty of choice. Our Bordeaux wine guide features hundreds of Bordeaux wine ratings. Within the Bordeaux wine region are numerous appellations, including the famous Left-Bank Médoc communes of St-Estephe, Pauillac, St-Julien Reviews and Margaux, among others.