It doesn’t get more French than wine—or perhaps more winey than France. If you’re venturing beyond Paris on your next trip to La République, the French wine regions are likely on your itinerary. And if they’re not, they’re worthy additions to any tour of the country. Wine is an essential part of the national culture, and it’s a treat to witness a particularly French brand of passionate expertise expressed beautifully in its vineyards, the good-time drinks and palate-challengers they yield, and the brilliant humans who make them with great care. Talk to any winemaker about their wares and you’ll inevitably go down a rabbit hole about not only their craft, but French society, geography, climate, and even politics. Indeed, the way into any French person’s heart—and to France’s itself—is a glass (or bottle) of wine.

To that end, here is a brief introduction to some of the best French wine regions, how to visit them, and what wines to try when you’re there. All told, there are 10 or 11 major wine regions in France, depending on who you ask. I’ve curated below a selection of seven, featuring places familiar to the casual wine drinker, like Bordeaux and Champagne; as well as appellations (specific areas classified by their wine-growing conditions) that are wine-nerd favorites, like Bandol in Provence, guaranteed to reward curious travelers and palates.

You’re in good hands here: As a travel editor whose areas of coverage include wine and spirits, I’ve spent extended time in a few of these regions; and in my personal life, I’ve fancied myself an oenophile (read: wine fan) ever since my mother switched me from formula to Pinot Grigio. I’ve also consulted some of the best books on the subject, including The New Wine Rules by Jon Bonné, Wine Simple by Aldo Sohm, and Wine Folly: Magnum Edition: The Master Guide by Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack. Grab a copy of one or all to further your own wine education.

With that out of the way, here are seven French wine regions to visit, where to stay, and what to drink. Santé!

Provence

In the last few decades, this region has claimed its place on the map for many travelers thanks not only to its photogenic lavender fields and seaside resort towns, but also the rise of rosé—and Provence makes plenty of the stuff thanks to the gorgeous weather. A Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers ensures the local grapes (and humans) have a good time year-round; the winemakers here, however, have to be mindful of the fruits getting too much sun, as they risk over-ripening. As you’d expect, rosé pairs beautifully with the sunny and summery foods of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region; a full-bodied rosé from Var—the French department sandwiched by Cannes and Marseille, home to Saint-Tropez—is a perfect accompaniment to fishy bouillabaisse. But there’s more to Provence than its famous pale-pink drink: Darker rosés and lighter reds from the Bandol can be rich and almost smoky in a way that recalls bacon. How’s that for a summer drink?

How to visit:  The home of perennial crowd-pleaser Whispering Angel rosé, Château d’Esclans, is near Nice (an hour away) and Saint-Tropez (an hour and a half).