Several historic wine regions around the world, like Spain, Italy and France, produce fine wines that carry only the name of the district from which they come.

These are often referred to as place-name wines and savvy wine consumers are usually excited by them. Most know what to expect when they see just the regional name.

In most such regions, the name of a grape variety indicates a lesser quality wine.

Almost all red wines that come from France's Burgundy district are made from pinot noir. The best rarely display the name of the grape.

For example, a wine like Bouchard Pere & Fils Vigne de l'Enfant Jesus, Beaune 1er Cru, "Les Greves" is 100% pinot noir. The label does not carry the grape name. That's because the wine is a unique, potentially glorious experience that displays the character of the soil in which it was grown.

Potential buyers, who don't mind paying $175 for a bottle, know what they're getting and love the experience.

Here are a few place-name wines that may be seen in stores or on wine lists:

Chenas (shay-nah): One of 10 sub-districts considered to be the best red wines of France's Cru Beaujolais. Others include Brouilly, Fleurie, Morgon, Regnie, Saint Amour.

Chinon (shee-nohn): A medium-weight, flexible red wine made from cabernet franc in France's Loire Valley. Frequently a good value.

Rioja (ree-oh-ha): Medium to rich red wine composed primarily of Tempranillo from central Spain.

Pouilly-Fume (poo-ee foo-may): Herbal/floral sauvignon blanc from the eastern Loire Valley.

Beaujolais Villages (boh-joe-lay vill-ahj): Most people know that this is a light red French wine, but may not know that it is made from the underrated gamay grape. It is typically consumed young; aging is not recommended.

Graves (grahv): This highly respected subdistrict of France's large Bordeaux produces substantial red wines and a small quantity of elegant whites. Reds are mainly made of cabernet sauvignon and merlot; whites are sauvignon blanc with semillon. Both pair nicely with food.

Bandol (ban-dohl): This wine district in southeastern France produces medium- to heavy-weight, occasionally rustic, red (and rose) wines made primarily from mourvedre; some producers add grenache. Not widely seen.

Roero (roh-air-oh): The red wines from this underrated Piemonte (Italy) district are made of nebbiolo, the same grape that produces barolo and barbaresco. The wines are lighter and more approachable when young — usually good values. The district also produces a fragrant, delicate white wine, arneis (ahr-nayce).

Bourgueil (boor-gayl): Quality red Loire wine similar to Chinon, also made of cabernet franc; not widely seen.

Cornas (core-nah): A high-quality area in the cool northern Rhone Valley; the red wines are 100% syrah. They are dense and long-lived and can be expensive. Wine lovers adore them.

Gentil (zhahn-tee): Not a place name, but an attractive, floral white blend made in France's Alsace. It must be composed mainly of riesling, gewurztraminer and/or muscat. Occasionally slightly sweet. Similar to the usually cheaper Edelzwicker.

Wine of the Week: 2021 Domaine Dozon Clos du Saut au Loup Chinon ($30): The first word of the grape cabernet franc implies that this wine will be astringent. The "Franc" means it won't. This is a quality red that's often discounted. Wine Enthusiast magazine said, "Raspberry, cranberry and dried red cherry nose. The palate is chalky with ... firm tannins." Only 13.0% alcohol.

Dan Berger lives in Sonoma County, Calif., where he publishes "Vintage Experiences," a weekly wine newsletter. Write to him at winenut@gmail.com.

Photo credit: Javier Balseiro at Unsplash