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 and Syrah) and winemaking practices than any other country. The names of many French wine regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne are well-known throughout the world, and the style of top French wines have long been the benchmark for winemaking in most wine-producing countries of the world.

French law divides wine into 3 categories: VDF (Vin De France) carries with it only the producer and the designation that it is from France. IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée) carries with it a specific region within France (for example IGP Languedoc). AOC (Appellation d'Origine Controlee) Wine from a particular area with many other restrictions, including grape varieties & winemaking methods.

Alsace wine or Alsatian wine (in French: Vin d'Alsace) is produced in the Alsace region in France (North-east, near Germany) and is primarily white. These wines, which for historical reasons have a strong Germanic influence, are produced under three different Appellation d'Origine Contrôlées (AOCs): Alsace AOC for white, rosé and red wines, Alsace Grand Cru AOC for white wines from certain classified vineyards and Crémant d'Alsace AOC for sparkling wines. Both dry and sweet white wines are produced, and are often made from aromatic grapes varieties.

Along with Austria and Germany, it produces some of the most noted dry Rieslings in the world, but on the export market, Alsace is perhaps even more noted for highly aromatic Gewürztraminer wines. Because of its Germanic influence, it is the only region in France to produce mostly varietal wines, typically from similar grapes as used in German wine.