Producing over 5 billion liters per year in over 800,000 hectares of vineyards, France is the second largest wine producer in the world. In a typical year between 50 and 60 million hectoliters of wine is produced, or some 7 to 8 billion bottles.

The earliest history of French wine goes back to the 6th century BC, and many of France’s regions count their wine-making history to Roman times. Over the last several hundred years, France has been the most influential country in the wine world: France is the source of more well-known grape varieties such as:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Chardonnay
• Pinot Noir
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Syrah

Having been the benchmark of winemaking in most wine-producing countries of the world, French wine plays an enormously important role in the equally influential French gastronomy.