Wine making is an ancient practice in France. Their vineyards have been developed for well over a thousand years with devotion to cultivating high quality grapes. Whether you are a novice in wine appreciation or something of a connoisseur France wine tours offer a plethora of options to learn more about our favorite beverage.
It is thought that the Romans introduced wine to the French before the birth of Christ so we are talking about a long-standing culture. Almost every region produces wine so the first decision has to be where to go. This could be based on wine preferences alone, the weather, travel time or whether to incorporate other activities into the trip. It is a large country with a rich culinary and cultural history. There are also areas of beautiful nature, cities crammed with jaw-dropping architecture and lovely beach resorts.
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.
Once you have decided where you want to go you should consider the timing. Check with tour providers that the local producers are taking visitors. At certain times of year they are too busy to host tours. During blending in January and February it is impossible to visit. However, harvest is a wonderful time to tour vineyards as there are festivals and celebrations and sometimes you can even join in picking the grapes.
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.
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.
Viticulture, as we have said, has a long and interesting history in France. Many tours are planned to reflect this and have staff who have broad knowledge and lots of contacts in the wine world. They offer a range of tours from budget packages to bespoke trips which are designed for you. Either way they always include a decent guide and several trips to different vineyards where you an sample a range of wines.
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.
It is thought that the Romans introduced wine to the French before the birth of Christ so we are talking about a long-standing culture. Almost every region produces wine so the first decision has to be where to go. This could be based on wine preferences alone, the weather, travel time or whether to incorporate other activities into the trip. It is a large country with a rich culinary and cultural history. There are also areas of beautiful nature, cities crammed with jaw-dropping architecture and lovely beach resorts.
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.
Once you have decided where you want to go you should consider the timing. Check with tour providers that the local producers are taking visitors. At certain times of year they are too busy to host tours. During blending in January and February it is impossible to visit. However, harvest is a wonderful time to tour vineyards as there are festivals and celebrations and sometimes you can even join in picking the grapes.
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.
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.
Viticulture, as we have said, has a long and interesting history in France. Many tours are planned to reflect this and have staff who have broad knowledge and lots of contacts in the wine world. They offer a range of tours from budget packages to bespoke trips which are designed for you. Either way they always include a decent guide and several trips to different vineyards where you an sample a range of wines.
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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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.
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