France – especially global-influencing Paris - and luxury go hand-in-hand. Everything from the fine dining, upscale accommodations, latest fashions, celebrated historic landmarks and luxury real estate, down to the sophisticated accent combine to create an environment of unmatched elegance. The country’s style has made many Francophiles and drawn many visitors to experience the splendor. Winemaking and viticulture fits brilliantly into the framework of the country and contributes heartily to the luxurious reputation.

Wine production in France can be traced all the way back to the 6th century BC. With such deep roots, it shouldn’t be surprising that the country produces the most wine by value in the world. Two of the most famous wine regions of France are Bordeaux and Champagne.

The port city of Bordeaux near the Atlantic coast produces more than 700 million bottles of wine annually. Bordelais, as Bordeaux’s residents are known, are welcoming a growing number of tourists to their fine city. Some of the finest wines in the world are a major draw, of course, and travelers can also enjoy the Aquitaine region’s Cote d’Argent- a beautiful stretch of coast, as well as the tranquil countryside dotted with historic luxury estates and vineyards that have been around for centuries.

Roughly 100 miles east of the cultural hub of Paris, lays the Champagne wine region. Here Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes are carefully cultured in a less than ideal climate to create the famous sparkling white wine that bares the region’s name. Don’t be fooled by bubbly wines that use the name “champagne” on their labels…the only true Champagne comes from this celebrated area of northern France.

More wine regions of France include Burgundy (a region so splendid they named a color after it), Savoie, Beaujolais and Alsace. With nearly every section of France immersed in vinification, volumes of in-depth writings have been committed to the country and its love affair with the vineyard. For the true wine aficionado, however, the only way to insert themselves in the wine culture of France would be to imbibe it firsthand.