The Evolution of Wine Regions

Because FromVineyardsDirect offer drinkers artisanal wines from a selection of well known, classic regions in Worlds both Old and New, we thought it helpful to provide the less-experienced with a brief primer on the evolution and general make-up of these very regions. A primer perhaps also to serve as a ‘refresher’ for more experienced drinkers.

And where possible, in this guide we also thought we’d put alongside each classic region the corresponding profile of a less familiar ‘sub-appellation,’ where the typically outstanding level of quality and craftsmanship there is priced much lower than it would be in a more prestigious place.

Read on to discover some of the producers we’ve discovered in these lesser appellations who, by their craft, continue to raise the profile of their surroundings while always offering such exceptional value for money. You might be glad you did.

Bordeaux

With a winemaking history stretching back to Roman times, Bordeaux became the epicenter of fine wine in the 17th century, driven by trade with England and the Netherlands. And although the 1855 Classification solidified its global prestige, in the world of fine red wine today, dynamic estates in lesser-known appellations like the Côtes de Bordeaux AOC are reshaping perceptions.

The Right Bank

Where Saint-Émilion and Pomerol are by far the best known of appellations. On the Right Bank, Merlot is king, solidly supported by Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec. Here, clay and limestone soils yield plush, fruit-forward wines for which the likes of Châteaux Ausone, Château Pavie, Pétrus and Le Pin are world-famous. With corresponding prices to reflect this fame.

Côtes de Bordeaux

However, the Right Bank is also where Fronsac and Côtes de Bordeaux AOCs offer accessible alternatives, usually blending Merlot with Cabernet varieties.

Of which Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux is a supreme example. For not only does the richness in terroir quality share much with its more illustrious Saint-Emilion neighbour, but it’s where innovative winemakers focus on organic, sustainable farming for Merlot-dominant blends fully expressive of this richness. Classic, sophisticated, ageworthy expressions. Better still, expressions that will typically cost much less than their more prestigious counterparts, thus offering unmissable value for money.

Wine Pick: 2019 Château de Clotte, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux

The Left Bank

The Left Bank encompasses the Médoc, Haut-Médoc, and Graves, areas where Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the blend. Its gravelly soils, excellent for drainage, foster the structured, tannic wines typical of such prestigious, world-class appellations as the Haut-Médoc’s sub-appellations of Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Margaux.

In Graves, the Pessac-Léognan appellation combines Cabernet Sauvignon with notable white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, exemplified by estates like Château Haut-Brion. Sauternes and Barsac, also in the Left Bank, are world-famous for their luscious, botrytised dessert wines.

Médoc Cru Bourgeois

But despite a higher concentration of universally lauded estates on the Left Bank than on the Right, the Left Bank has plenty to offer by way of authenticity and outstanding value.

Within the rather sprawling Haut-Médoc AOC, the more specific Cru Bourgeois designation offers this, and so often for well under £20 a bottle. Of which Château Ramafort’s 2016 vintage is a delicious example.

Wine Pick: 2016 Domaine de Saint-Guirons, Pauillac

Burgundy: Chablis, Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais

The history of Burgundy’s vineyards dates back to medieval monasteries, where monks cultivated the land and developed an intimate knowledge of its differing characteristics. It was this knowledge that ultimately came to establish the foundation for today’s terroir-focused winemaking. It’s essentially why any map of Burgundian vineyards looks so much like a quilt.

While the Côte d’Or retains Burgundy’s most sought-after communes, the lesser known Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais further south continue to gain attention for the remarkable craftsmanship and value for money their whites and reds offer. In both, a continuing predominance of limestone-based soils is what adds a thrilling sleekness and minerality to what tends to be an increased ripeness in style.

Chablis

Located in northern Burgundy, Chablis specializes exclusively in Chardonnay. Its cool climate and chalky Kimmeridgian limestone soils result in crisp, mineral-driven wines with vibrant acidity. Chablis is classified into Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru, and Grand Cru tiers, with Grand Cru sites like ‘Les Clos’ producing age-worthy wines of remarkable complexity and precision. These wines are often unoaked, emphasizing purity and terroir.

Wine Pick: 2022 Domaine Brocard, Chablis 1er Cru Montmains

The Côte d'Or

The heart of Burgundy, the Côte d'Or, is split into two sections: Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. The Côte de Nuits, from Gevrey-Chambertin to Nuits-Saint-Georges, is famed for its Pinot Noir, producing some of the world's most celebrated red wines from vineyards like Romanée-Conti and Chambertin.

The Côte de Beaune, by contrast, excels in both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with iconic appellations such as Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet delivering rich, textured whites, while Volnay and Pommard are known for elegant reds.

Saint-Aubin

But where in the Côte de Beaune these more iconic communes continue to push prices further into the stratosphere of fine white wine, a more discreet Saint-Aubin is where Beaune aficionados go for a Puligny experience for much less

Tucked away in a quiet valley west of Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet, it’s where this village has been long overlooked in favour of its prestigious neighbours. With its cooler microclimate and steep, east-facing vineyards, Saint-Aubin over the past decade or so has continued to gain recognition for an outstanding level of elegance and complexity in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir expression.

In the whites, energetic freshness, minerally-driven, and marked by a tension that balances vibrant citrus and orchard fruit with subtle floral and flinty notes. Often compared to the grands crus of its neighbours, they offer extraordinary value.

Meanwhile, the reds, though less widely produced, showcase an elegant, bright-fruited character with hints of spice and silky tannins.

Saint-Aubin is home to 30 Premier Cru vineyards, many perched on limestone-rich slopes that lend the wines their hallmark finesse and precision. Among the most celebrated is Les Murgers des Dents de Chien, which borders Puligny-Montrachet. A prime example of where you should go to explore world-class wines at more accessible prices.

Wine Pick (white): 2022 Gérard Thomas, Saint-Aubin 1er Cru ‘Murgers des Dents de Chien

The Côte Chalonnaise

A picturesque region of southern Burgundy known for its limestone-rich soils and a winemaking tradition that dates back to Roman times. A tradition that has quietly established a haven for those seeking classic Burgundian wines without the Côte d’Or price tag.

A haven offering balance, elegance and structure for very reasonable prices. Where reds are vibrant and fruit-driven, while the whites are often zesty, with notes of citrus, green apple, and a touch of minerality. It’s also home to Burgundy’s sparkling wine, Crémant de Bourgogne, and produces the lesser-known but increasingly celebrated Aligoté.

The Côte Chalonnaise is divided into five key appellations—Rully, Mercurey, Givry, Montagny, and Bouzeron—with the first four also being home to Premier Cru-ranked vineyards.

Wine Pick (white): 2022 Les Vignerons de Buxy, Montagny

The Mâconnais

Continuing the trend, here is approachable, value-driven Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from warmer, sunnier conditions. Where finer producers working in more specific ‘Villages’ (appellations named after local villages in reference to their more specific terroir attributes) offer some of the best value for money to be had in all Burgundy.

Appellations like Mâcon-Uchizy, where produce ripe, fruit-forward wines with creamy textures, while villages like Mâcon-Villages highlight freshness and fruity verve. Other appellations to look out for: Mâcon-Pérrone, Pouilly-Fuissé, Saint-Véran.

Wine Pick (white): 2023 Domaine Talmard, Mâcon-Uchizy

Wine Pick (red): 2022 Domaine du Bicheron, Bourgogne Rouge

Rhône Valley: Côte du Rhône-Village Quality

One of France's most iconic wine regions, offering remarkable diversity and exceptional value. From Northern to Southern Rhône, in its entirety stretches from Lyon to Marseille, boasting a rich array of reds based primarily on Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Carignan.

For whites, though somewhat overshadowed by its red tradition, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Marsanne, of the This selection highlights southern Rhône reds that combine vibrancy with affordability, from approachable Côtes-du-Rhône to the complexity of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or new to Rhône wines, these bottles showcase the irresistible charm and drinking pleasure this historic region is celebrated for.

While reds dominate the Rhône Valley, Rhône whites are a hidden gem we've long championed for their food-pairing versatility. Viognier leads here, offering exotic aromas of orange blossom, pear, peach, and apricot, often suggesting sweetness but typically crafted in a dry style.

Alongside Viognier, varietals like Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, and Clairette contribute to Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc’s sumptuous depth and complexity. These whites deliver immediate enjoyment without the cellaring demands of white Burgundy, making them a delightful choice for any occasion—and a tradition we continue to shout about.

Wine Pick (white): 2023 Domaine Les Grands Bois, Côtes-du-Rhône Viognier

Côtes du Rhône-Village AOC

The Côtes du Rhône-Villages appellation represents a step up in quality from the broader Côtes du Rhône AOC, since each is village-specific as indicated. Which means each shows a stronger, more distinct sense of terroir and all the complexities that come with it.

Established in 1966, it encompasses 95 communes in the southern Rhône, with 21 granted the right to append their village name to the label. These Villages appellations are Chusclan, Gadagne, Laudun, Massif d’Uchaux, Nyons, Plan de Dieu, Puyméras, Roaix, Rochegude, Rousset-les-Vignes, Sablet, Saint-Gervais, Saint-Maurice, Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes, Séguret, Signargues, Suze-la-Rousse, Valréas, Venterol, Visan, and Vinsobres.

Cairanne AOC

A former Côte du Rhône-Village terroir so distinguished, so exemplary, it was eventually awarded its own AOC status (in 2016). Here are rich, elegant reds, and ones which must comprise at least 50% Grenache, with Syrah and Mourvèdre making up a significant portion of the blend, with Carignan and Cinsault also permitted.

As such, Cairanne represents a next step up in quality and authenticity of terroir expression before arriving at that of the Southern Rhône’s most prestigious – and priciest – appellation, Châteauneuf-du-Pape. And as such, Cairanne offers outstanding value for money.

Wine Pick: 2022 Domaine les Grands Bois, Cairanne

Languedoc

With a wine-producing history dating as far back as to ancient Greek settlers of the 5th century BC, this vast, sun-drenched region stretching from the Pyrenees to the southern Rhône and Provence produces some of the country's more robust, powerful red wines.

With designations ranging from the generic Vin de Pays d'Oc to more specific geographical locations like Corbières and Minervois, here are found cuvées composed typically of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan as permitted varietals.

But it's also the remarkable authenticity and quality of the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir grown here that continues to impress.

White wines of the region are led by Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Vermentino (‘Rolle’ locally), along with regular appearances by international favourites Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Together, an opulent range of aromas and flavours: Viognier’s white flowers, orange blossom, almond and spice on the nose for a palate of ripe stone fruit, grapefruit and honeyed, nutty nuances.

Then, the zippy, citrus, juicy apricot, white-pepper, saline-tinged delight of Grenache Blanc, the crisp, refreshing, citrus tang of Vermentino, and a tropical-fruit-packed Sauvignon Blanc. Simply outstanding food-pairing options, all.

Wine Pick (red): 2023 Domaine de La Baume, Merlot, Languedoc

Wine Pick (white): 2023 Domaine de La Baume, Viognier, Languedoc

Champagne & English Sparkling Wine

Despite an enduring belief that French monk Dom Pérignon (after whom, the prestigious Champagne) invented la méthode champenoise, the first documentation of intentionally-made sparkling wine is in England of the early 1660s. (The history is further complicated by persistent claims made in the Limoux region of the Languedoc that it was they who were the innovators. Thus Crémant de Limoux.)

Interestingly, it’s a documentation closely linked to a parallel innovation borne of a requirement for stronger glass to more reliably contain the wine’s much higher, internal gas pressure levels. This was being achieved in England by coal-firing glass instead of wood-firing it.

Whatever the case, the indisputable masters of the technique and tradition have since been the Champenois, which accounts for why the very production process bears their name.

Although in theory sparkling wine can be made with any grape varietal (or blend thereof), in the Champagne region three are dominant: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, all of which can either be blended or stand alone.

Where there are only white varietals in the blend it will be labelled as ‘Blanc de Blancs;’ where only black varietals, ‘Blanc de Noirs.’ (Typically, the former will be 100% Chardonnay and the latter 100% Pinot Noir.)

These are fermented into base wines which are then blended for a secondary, in-bottle fermentation initiated by adding sugar and yeast. This produces carbon dioxide and thus the bubbly effervescence – the sparkle. This newly sparkling wine is then aged on its lees (yeast sediment) to develop complex flavors, often for several years.

The bottles are then riddled to collect the lees in the neck, which are removed through disgorgement. A final dosage of sugar and wine is added before final corking, balancing sweetness and acidity.

Intriguingly, and despite Champagne’s centuries-old dominance of the sparkling wine market, the English are once again contributing to the tradition’s evolution. Significantly. In fact, many critics would put it as beating the Champenois at their own game.

That is to say, because certain areas in the South of England share a similar soil composition and climate with Champagne, it has meant that considerable vineyard/winery investment and applied craftsmanship over the last twenty years or so have resulted in an unprecedented finesse, complexity and refinement. Global-award-winning finesse, in fact, and not only in sparkling wine, but in English wines in general.

Wine Pick: NV Champagne Guilleminot, ‘Tradition’ Brut

Wine Pick: Nyetimber Classic Cuvee

Loire Valley

The ‘Garden of France,’ as it’s so often referred to and where Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé remain its most famous appellations. Famous for the heightened elegance, precision, vibrant minerality and thrilling terroir expression in their 100% Sauvignon Blanc cuvées.

Expression that is still considered the benchmark for this varietal. In Touraine also, where similarly styled, fabulous-value Sauvignon is de rigueur, while Vouvray produces Chenin Blanc wines ranging from dry to sweet, including sparkling styles. Further west, Muscadet, made from Melon de Bourgogne, delivers refreshing, light-bodied whites perfect for seafood.

Wine Pick: 2023 Domaine Bellevue, Sauvignon de Touraine

Tuscany

Winemaking in Tuscany dates back over 3,000 years to the Etruscans, who cultivated vines and laid the foundation for the region’s viticultural heritage. Over the centuries, La Toscana has evolved into a cornerstone of Italian wine culture, renowned for its focus on quality and authenticity. The rise of Chianti in the Middle Ages and the innovation of ‘Super Tuscans’ in the 20th century cemented its global reputation.

Here is the land of Sangiovese, whose juicy, spicy, deep cherry flavours and robust tannins are expressed in some of the world’s more sought-after appellations: Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and, of course, Bolgheri.

Except that Bolgheri is where Super Tuscan innovations of the past several decades have ensured that non-indigenous varietals also realise the full potential of such ideal terroir and sun-drenched growing conditions. Where Bordelais Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc now thrive and are caringly cultivated for some of Italy’s most prestigious – and expensive – red cuvées.

Wine Pick: 2014 Pergolaia, Caiarossa di Toscana

Rioja

By far Spain's most renowned wine-producing area, Rioja is located in the north of the country along the Ebro River. Here, winemaking history dates back to Roman times, with significant growth in the 19th century as French vintners sought refuge from the phylloxera blight that was devastating their vineyards.

The region is divided into three subzones that demarcate the uniqueness of each terroir: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental. Across all three, Tempranillo is the dominant grape, often blended with Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo, producing reds with structure, elegance, and aging potential. Rioja also produces fresh whites and rosés, cementing its place as a leader in Spanish winemaking.

Wine Pick: 2016 Monte Araya, Rioja Crianza

Cariñena

Just to the south of Rioja in Aragón is the lesser-known denominación of Cariñena. One of Spain’s oldest wine-making regions, it’s also one of her more underrated, offering robust, characterful, fabulous-value reds based more typically on blends of Garnacha, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and – as the name suggests – Cariñena (a.k.a. Carignan).

As in Rioja, Cariñena reds are released as Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva depending on what ageing regime they’ve undergone (1, 3 and 5 years minimum, all with 6 months in oak barrel). As such, they’re yet another example of what authentic, regional alternatives can be found across the Iberian peninsula, and what genuine, genuinely affordable drinking pleasure they offer.

Wine Pick: 2020 Marqués di Tosos, Crianza, Cariñena

Classic Regions FromVineyardsDirect

Of course, the great wine regions of the world don’t end here. Ours is a world of wine, after all. But we hope our introductory primer has provided some inspiration to explore our range further, and to perhaps go a little off-piste and savour some of the lesser known (though no less sensational) finds we’ve snapped up. We find few such pleasures more gratifying.

-- David Adamick, FromVineyardsDirect