Wine Regions Explained

The style, grapes, and exam-relevant facts behind the world’s key wine regions. Written for WSET students. Updated 2026.

Unofficial study resource · not affiliated with or endorsed by WSET®

Bordeaux

France’s great red-blend region, split by a river.

The home of single-grape Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The original home of traditional-method sparkling wine.

Split into a peppery north and a warm, blended south.

Spain’s classic Tempranillo region, known for oak ageing.

Italy’s Sangiovese heartland, home of Chianti.

A steep, cool river valley famous for Riesling.

California’s premium region for ripe, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon.

New Zealand’s zesty, pungent Sauvignon Blanc region.

Australia’s warm home of bold, ripe Shiraz.

The steep valley behind Port wine.

Cool, mineral, unoaked Chardonnay at Burgundy’s edge.