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Maps of France
WSET Level 2 in Wines
These maps of France will set you on a journey of discovery. For in the world of fermented juice, its France that makes the most. Yet, not only are they the largest producer by volume for wine, they make the most sought after wines in the world.
In short, France stands as an enduring beacon of tradition, craftsmanship and quality.
So navigating its diverse terroirs and appellations might seem daunting. However, armed with the insights from our WSET Level 2 in Wines course and our regional wine maps of France here, this journey becomes not only accessible but deeply enriching. Because it’s so cool when you can boast your wine knowledge to your friends!
Unveil the secrets of France and visualize the climates that make the wines. Then take a deeper look into its two most famous appellations: Bordeaux and Burgundy.
So buckle up and get ready! It’s time to explore the world of wine from a geographical perspective!
Table of Contents
Tips for getting the most out of these maps of France
Take a good look at the maps below. Each map will have a button to download a pdf version of it. Once downloaded, you should print it and scribble information all over it.
What kind of information should you write on it, you ask?
All of the topics that WSET wants you to know.
- Environmental Influences: is the climate cool, moderate or warm
- are there any special features or Location Factors that moderate the climate in the area such as proximity to bodies of water or coastal fogs?
- Grape Growing Options – I’ve listed the grape varieties on the maps, but do the grapes have any characteristics that contribute to the style and quality of the finished wine? For example, grapes with high tannin will allow the wine to age contributing to dried fruit and tobacco or a grape with thin skins would enable the development of noble rot that would shrink the grapes for extra ripening causing a sweet wine with notes of ginger.
- Winemaking options – will these wines be aged in inert vessels or will they be aged in oak. If oak, will expensive new oak barrels be used or the inexpensive staves or wood chips. Will malolactic fermentation be used or lees stirring?
Let’s do this!
Map of France
Let’s take a look at the wine regions you need to be aware of for your exam. Notice the distance between all of these areas!
For this complete wine map of France, jot down the climates of each wine region below after you print out the pdf! While you’re there, why don’t you add from memory which grapes they grow?
Bordeaux, Map of France
Bordeaux is the ‘wine lake’ of France. Simply put, it produces a lot of wine. Hence, it’s important that you understand this region and it’s wine. With this map of Bordeaux, France in hand, you’ll master this region for your WSET Level 2 in Wines exam.
Burgundy: Map of France
Burgundy is the birthplace of ‘terroir’. The borders of the appellations are linked to the soil types and placement on the hillsides (côtes). So the area can never grow. The world cannot make any more Burgundy! Therefore, we just had to include Burgundy in our wine maps of France.
A note about Chablis...
Most, most, most of Chablis is unoaked Chardonnay. Until recently, only Grand Cru Chablis would ‘possibly’ show flavours of new oak since these south and southeast facing sites were the only ones that gained the fruit concentration and richness to stand up to the oak. Therefore, you would just have to look up the Grand Cru producer to see if their Chablis had oak flavours of toast and vanilla in it
Due to increasing temperatures, I’ve tasted a basic village level Chablis that showed some flavours from new oak.
I digress. Just know for your WSET Level 2 in Wines exam, that Chablis is unoaked Chardonnay!
Summary
In the vast world of wines, France reigns supreme both in quantity and quality. They are both the largest producer by volume and the epicenter of premium wines globally. Navigating the intricate terroirs and appellations of this wine haven might initially seem overwhelming, but fear not! Equipped with the insights from the WSET Level 2 in Wines course, our meticulously crafted regional wine maps of France will serve as your compass. With these tools in hand, not only can you unravel the complexities of French wines, but you can also impress your friends with your newfound expertise.
It’s time to embark on an enriching and exciting exploration of the world of wine from a geographical perspective! 🍷✨
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