Jay McInerny, renowned wine and restaurant critic, recently wrote a collection of essays on his journeys throughout the world's up-and-coming wine regions. For those staying at villas in France, wine tastings are as common as croissants, but some regions are picking up their production and bottling impeccable libations.

Burgundy: The New Destination for Deep Red Wines

Burgundy, not your typical tourist hub, sparked the interest of McInerny during his travels. With its rolling hills and farming landscapes, the author argues that this region of central France is even prettier than the Cote-d'Or. Between rows of grapes are grazing sheep and cows, which add a rustic touch to the reds and whites produced in the region.

The vineyards in Chablis, Meursault and Montrachet are filled with family-owned wineries that produce some of the best bottles in the world. You don't have to be a sommelier to appreciate how amazing these drinks are, but here's a small tip: Burgundy is known for its Pinot Noir and chardonnay grapes - both of which are notoriously finicky.

Wine in the kitchen

Dining options are plentiful despite the region's sparse population, with gourmet restaurants like Le Cep in Fleurie. After winning two Michelin stars, chef Chantal Chagny completely revamped the menu to suit the Beaujolais region, saying farewell to foie gras and truffles and hello to crawfish and impeccable vintages.

Ranked as one of the best wine-focused restaurants in the world by Food and Wine Magazine, Le Cep boasts a comfortable atmosphere despite its gourmet menu. Guests at luxury rentals can take a short drive to this tiny eatery and get some butter-sauteed frog legs, which go surprisingly well with red wines like Syrah and Merlot.

Wine 101: Getting to Know the Grape

Why do wine connoisseurs continue to come back to Burgundy instead of Bordeaux? Consider the words of Chris Kissack, author of "The Wine Doctor," who gives a perfect description of the subtle differences between these two regions.

"From Bordeaux, which can sometimes be as much about texture and power as anything else, we move to Burgundy, where there might be more elegance, more perfume, more intrigue," he wrote. "Bordeaux might please the palate and the mind, but some wine drinkers will maintain that only Burgundy provides the most hauntin bottles, memories of which may last a lifetime."