Use our region glossary to trace terroir, climate, and quintessential styles across the wine world.
Bairrada, on Portugal’s central Atlantic coast near Coimbra, is a compact but distinctive DOC prized for its sturdy, ageworthy reds and lively sparkling wines. Historically shaped by granite and clay soils and a cool, maritime climate, the region became known in the 19th and 20th centuries for expor… Read more
Baja California, in Mexico’s far northwest, is the country’s most important wine region, centered on the Valle de Guadalupe and nearby coastal valleys around Ensenada. Winegrowing modernized from the late 20th century into a thriving boutique industry producing confident, sun-ripe wines that balance… Read more
The Balaton wine region centers on Hungary's Lake Balaton, a diverse collection of subregions stretching along both northern and southern shores. Historically influenced by volcanic geology and viticulture dating back to Roman and later medieval plantings, Balaton is best known for lively dry white… Read more
The Balearic Islands (Islas Baleares) are an archipelago in the western Mediterranean off the east coast of Spain, with wine production concentrated on Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. Viticulture here blends long local traditions with modern reinvestment: historic rural varieties and new bo… Read more
Bandol, on the Mediterranean coast of Provence east of Marseille, is a compact but distinguished AOC centered on the fishing port of Bandol. Historically noted since the 18th century, it gained reputation for robust, long-lived wines driven by old-vine Mourvèdre. Producers work steep, terraced plots… Read more
Barbaresco, located in the Langhe of Piedmont in northwestern Italy, is a compact DOCG famous for elegant Nebbiolo wines. Rising to prominence after the late 19th century and formalized as a DOCG in 1980, Barbaresco produces wines noted for red cherry, rose, tar and fine-grained tannins, often displ… Read more
Bardolino is a compact wine region on the eastern shore of Lake Garda in Veneto, northern Italy, centered around the town of Bardolino. Historically a producer of light, easy-drinking red wine, the area has long combined traditional blends with modern winemaking to produce fresh, fruit-driven wines.… Read more
Barolo, in the Langhe of Piedmont, is Italy’s benchmark for powerful, ageworthy red wine. Centered on small communes such as Barolo, La Morra and Monforte, the region built its reputation in the 19th and 20th centuries around Nebbiolo grapes that produce wines of floral perfume, firm tannin and laye… Read more
Barossa Valley, in South Australia northeast of Adelaide, is one of Australia’s most celebrated wine regions. Founded by German settlers in the 19th century, it became famous for robust, fruit-driven red wines from very old vines. The region is synonymous with concentrated Shiraz—often ripe, full-bo… Read more
Bas-Armagnac, in the western part of the Armagnac region in Gascony, southwestern France, is celebrated for some of the most elegant and aromatic eaux-de-vie produced in the region. Historically favoured for distillation since the Middle Ages, its producers emphasize finesse and aromatic clarity ove… Read more
Basilicata, a small, mountainous region in southern Italy, punches above its weight thanks to the slopes of the extinct Mount Vulture. Wine history here is ancient but largely local until recent decades, when winemakers began highlighting the unique volcanic soils and high-elevation exposure. The re… Read more
Beaujolais is a compact wine region immediately south of Burgundy in eastern France, best known for vibrant, fruit-driven wines made predominantly from Gamay noir. Historically famous for the celebratory Beaujolais Nouveau release, the region also produces more serious wines from Beaujolais Villages… Read more
