If there is one country which is synonymous with wine, it is France. Not only is some of the most highly prized wine in the world produced there but it is part of the nation's famous culinary traditions too. In France wine tours are something special, a true taste of ancient viticulture.
Except for the most northern areas most regions of France produce it. Some make higher quality offerings than others and many regions have a swathe of vintage producers. Your preference for wine should have some bearing on where you decide to go. It could be as simple as deciding according to the color of wine you prefer. If you only drink red then head to Burgundy, Bordeaux or Medoc. Some of the best white wines in the world come from the Sancerre region and Provence produces some outstanding rose wines.
A good starting point is to consider the wine you like to drink. Tours are usually sold by region so this is a good place to start your decision. If you do not like red and always go for white then Sancerre would be a great place to go as the white wines from there are very popular and of a high quality. If red is your thing then you have more choice, Burgundy, Medoc and Bordeaux all produce lots of the red stuff. Some areas have a mixture such as the Loire Valley.
It is important to decide which time of year to visit as some months are basically out of bounds. The period of blending, when the previous years harvest is bottled is a very busy one for producers and they do not accept visitors. Then there are tastings by professionals when the world's experts descend to judge the quality of that year's crop. Check with tour agents before booking to avoid disappointment.
The Bordeaux region makes a great introduction to the world of French wines. It has variety in terms of the types of grape, size of producers and quality of wines. There is also a renowned wine school offering classes for beginners and connoisseurs alike. They offer introduction classes which explore tasting and the basics of production which is a perfect way to start a tour. Bordeaux is a large region with different soils "terroir" so you can taste how this affects the flavor of wine.
For those who want to incorporate some culture or nature into their trip, Provence makes a great destination. The region is home to a number of UNESCO sites, Medieval villages, Chateaus and national parks. It is famed for its incredible produce and artisan food producers. It also has a long coastline on the Mediterranean so makes a good place to relax.
Many types of tour are offered by travel companies. There are all-inclusive ones where guides, transport, accommodation, meals and vineyard tours are all included and delivered in a reasonably priced package. Connoisseurs can design their own package and choose which producers they want to see. There are also self-drive options where agents will arrange the tours and any other activities but transport and accommodation are arranged by the customer.
Wine tours are an increasingly popular way to enjoy a region of the world known for its fine food, traditional production and picturesque villages. France is a large country with much to offer the visitor. Tour are usually organised by region so check out where your favorite types of wine are made and head in that direction.
Except for the most northern areas most regions of France produce it. Some make higher quality offerings than others and many regions have a swathe of vintage producers. Your preference for wine should have some bearing on where you decide to go. It could be as simple as deciding according to the color of wine you prefer. If you only drink red then head to Burgundy, Bordeaux or Medoc. Some of the best white wines in the world come from the Sancerre region and Provence produces some outstanding rose wines.
A good starting point is to consider the wine you like to drink. Tours are usually sold by region so this is a good place to start your decision. If you do not like red and always go for white then Sancerre would be a great place to go as the white wines from there are very popular and of a high quality. If red is your thing then you have more choice, Burgundy, Medoc and Bordeaux all produce lots of the red stuff. Some areas have a mixture such as the Loire Valley.
It is important to decide which time of year to visit as some months are basically out of bounds. The period of blending, when the previous years harvest is bottled is a very busy one for producers and they do not accept visitors. Then there are tastings by professionals when the world's experts descend to judge the quality of that year's crop. Check with tour agents before booking to avoid disappointment.
The Bordeaux region makes a great introduction to the world of French wines. It has variety in terms of the types of grape, size of producers and quality of wines. There is also a renowned wine school offering classes for beginners and connoisseurs alike. They offer introduction classes which explore tasting and the basics of production which is a perfect way to start a tour. Bordeaux is a large region with different soils "terroir" so you can taste how this affects the flavor of wine.
For those who want to incorporate some culture or nature into their trip, Provence makes a great destination. The region is home to a number of UNESCO sites, Medieval villages, Chateaus and national parks. It is famed for its incredible produce and artisan food producers. It also has a long coastline on the Mediterranean so makes a good place to relax.
Many types of tour are offered by travel companies. There are all-inclusive ones where guides, transport, accommodation, meals and vineyard tours are all included and delivered in a reasonably priced package. Connoisseurs can design their own package and choose which producers they want to see. There are also self-drive options where agents will arrange the tours and any other activities but transport and accommodation are arranged by the customer.
Wine tours are an increasingly popular way to enjoy a region of the world known for its fine food, traditional production and picturesque villages. France is a large country with much to offer the visitor. Tour are usually organised by region so check out where your favorite types of wine are made and head in that direction.
About the Author:
The very best France wine tours are arranged by our travel site. Come and book a fun wine-tasting tour through our official website at http://decantertours.com.
0 comments: