Use our region glossary to trace terroir, climate, and quintessential styles across the wine world.
L'Étoile is a small, prestigious appellation in the Jura wine region of eastern France, tucked between Arbois and Lons-le-Saunier. Renowned primarily for its distinctive white wines, the area emphasizes clarity of expression, balancing freshness and savory depth. Vineyards are mostly planted to Sava… Read more
La Mancha, in central Spain’s Castilla-La Mancha, is the world’s largest continuous vineyard region and one of Spain’s most historically significant wine territories. Long known for high-volume production—especially of neutral white Airén—La Mancha has undergone modernization and quality-focused tra… Read more
La Palma, one of the Canary Islands, boasts a unique winemaking heritage shaped by its volcanic landscape and subtropical climate. Located off the coast of Africa, this small DO offers distinctive wines that are gaining international recognition. Viticulture here is heroic, with vines often grown on… Read more
La Rioja, nestled in northern Spain, is a world-renowned wine region celebrated for its exceptional red wines, primarily crafted from Tempranillo. Its winemaking tradition stretches back centuries, with modern Rioja wines defined by aging in oak barrels, resulting in complex flavors of red fruit, va… Read more
Lake County, California, sits north of Napa and north of Clear Lake, centered on volcanic Mount Konocti and a ring of high-elevation vineyards. Historically planted for bulk wine, the region has matured into a source of concentrated, fruit-driven wines with a focus on both robust reds and crisp whit… Read more
Lake Erie AVA sits along the southern shore of Lake Erie in the United States, encompassing vineyard areas influenced directly by the lake’s moderating effect. The region has a long history of grape growing, originally dominated by native and hybrid varieties for juice and sweet wines but increasing… Read more
Landes, in southwestern France along the Atlantic coast within Nouvelle-Aquitaine, is a low-lying, maritime department where viticulture centers on the Armagnac and Côtes de Gascogne traditions. Vineyards benefited historically from long-established distillation for Armagnac since the Middle Ages; m… Read more
The Langhe is a rolling-hill wine region in Piedmont, northwest Italy, lying south and southeast of Turin. Famous as the home of ageworthy Nebbiolo expressions—most notably Barolo and Barbaresco—the area combines centuries-old viticultural traditions with modern winemaking. Vineyards cling to steep,… Read more
Languedoc, on France's Mediterranean coast west of Provence, is one of the country’s largest and most diverse wine regions. Historically supplying basic table wine since Roman times, it has undergone a modern renaissance: quality-focused domaines and co‑ops now produce expressive wines across many s… Read more
Languedoc-Roussillon, on France’s Mediterranean flank from Narbonne to the Spanish border, is a vast and diverse wine region with ancient roots — Greeks and Romans planted vines here. For decades known for volume, it has shifted toward quality-driven estates, appellations and single-vineyard express… Read more
Lanzarote, the easternmost of the Canary Islands, produces distinctive wines shaped by dramatic volcanic landscapes and a long Atlantic viticultural tradition. Vineyards cling to black lava fields where growers shelter individual vines in circular or semi-circular stone windbreaks, yielding intensel… Read more
Lazio (Latium) sits in central Italy around Rome and the Tyrrhenian coast, combining ancient wine traditions with varied local expressions. The region is best known for its crisp, aromatic whites from areas such as Frascati and Montefiascone (Est! Est!! Est!!), alongside distinctive native red varie… Read more
