France is one of the oldest wine producing countries in the world. It makes a staggering seven to eight billion bottles every year. It is a great place to learn all about viticulture and visit different types of vineyard. Finding the best France wine tours can be confusing but there are a few ways to narrow the search.
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.
The best known wine regions are Bordeaux, Burgundy for reds, Provence for rose and for those who love white wines, Sancerre. All regions have a variety of different vineyards from small artisan producers to large commercial affairs. A visit to a small producer is a very different experience to touring a large vineyard. The owner will often host the tour himself and will be able to go into the history and impart his pride in a more personal way than the paid hosts in a large establishment.
Another factor to consider is the time of year. Obviously the growing season and production will affect how the tour is carried out. For example, during the months when blending is taking place most producers do not accept visitors as they are too busy. This usually happens in winter. Other times when they are too busy are when the professional tasters and classifiers are visiting to test the crop. This varies depending on region. On the other hand many people like to visit during harvest time as there are festivals and it is generally a lot of fun.
If you do not know much about wine production or tasting then it is a good idea to take a class before visiting vineyards. The Bordeaux region is ideal for those just starting out as it has a wine school where you can learn the basics. It also has a region with great variety of "terroir" and so is perfect for putting your newly acquired tasting skills to the test. Bordeaux has several distinct areas some of which produce prize winning vintages.
The Loire Valley has many attractions for the visitor. In terms of wine it is home to many grape varieties, Muscadet, Sancerre and Chenin Blanc are just a few . The Loire is also a popular holiday destination for its history, chateaus, Gothic cathedrals and cultural sites. It is an area of outstanding beauty affording plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, camping and natural history.
There are lots of specialist tour agencies offering excellent trips in France, They usually have a number of packages to choose from which will include most things, accommodation, food, transport, guides and vineyard tours. They will also have lots of contacts in the French wine industry so can organize tailor made trips too. Most companies also have connections with shipping companies so you can take plenty of your favorite discoveries home.
Taking a wine tour in France is sure to be a treat for any lover of the grape juice. It is the perfect place to experience an ancient culture and learn about the intricacies of viticulture. Choosing where to go may be the hardest thing about the trip. Bear in mind that producers are closed on weekends so a short trip should be taken midweek.
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.
The best known wine regions are Bordeaux, Burgundy for reds, Provence for rose and for those who love white wines, Sancerre. All regions have a variety of different vineyards from small artisan producers to large commercial affairs. A visit to a small producer is a very different experience to touring a large vineyard. The owner will often host the tour himself and will be able to go into the history and impart his pride in a more personal way than the paid hosts in a large establishment.
Another factor to consider is the time of year. Obviously the growing season and production will affect how the tour is carried out. For example, during the months when blending is taking place most producers do not accept visitors as they are too busy. This usually happens in winter. Other times when they are too busy are when the professional tasters and classifiers are visiting to test the crop. This varies depending on region. On the other hand many people like to visit during harvest time as there are festivals and it is generally a lot of fun.
If you do not know much about wine production or tasting then it is a good idea to take a class before visiting vineyards. The Bordeaux region is ideal for those just starting out as it has a wine school where you can learn the basics. It also has a region with great variety of "terroir" and so is perfect for putting your newly acquired tasting skills to the test. Bordeaux has several distinct areas some of which produce prize winning vintages.
The Loire Valley has many attractions for the visitor. In terms of wine it is home to many grape varieties, Muscadet, Sancerre and Chenin Blanc are just a few . The Loire is also a popular holiday destination for its history, chateaus, Gothic cathedrals and cultural sites. It is an area of outstanding beauty affording plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, camping and natural history.
There are lots of specialist tour agencies offering excellent trips in France, They usually have a number of packages to choose from which will include most things, accommodation, food, transport, guides and vineyard tours. They will also have lots of contacts in the French wine industry so can organize tailor made trips too. Most companies also have connections with shipping companies so you can take plenty of your favorite discoveries home.
Taking a wine tour in France is sure to be a treat for any lover of the grape juice. It is the perfect place to experience an ancient culture and learn about the intricacies of viticulture. Choosing where to go may be the hardest thing about the trip. Bear in mind that producers are closed on weekends so a short trip should be taken midweek.
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