Where to Visit for the Best Wine and Culture
If you’re planning a wine tour of France, you’re spoiled for choice. Most of France is covered in vines, and the country plays host to some of the most famous vineyards in the world. So how can you make the seemingly impossible choice between which areas of France to visit?
You want to pick the areas that not only serve the best wines, but offer the most amazing tourist experiences, too. Planning a wine trip is a costly endeavor, especially if you’re flying over from the US, so make the most of your visit and throw in some sight-seeing, too.
Wine Haven 1 – Burgundy
Sip on history in this fairytale land of wines. Kings and popes once visited Burgundy to sample its famous wines, and vines have been tended here since at 500 AD. The vineyards here are typically small and home to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.
Set up a base in Dijon to experience culture, and strike out on day trips to the surrounding vineyards. Make sure you visit the Côte de Nuits, home to a rich Pinot Noir wine, and Côte de Beaune, where you can find a fruity, oaky Chardonnays.
Wine Haven 2 – Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is about an hour away from Paris, meaning a trip to this wine region can include a few days’ foray into the capital. The vast amounts of spectacular castles, ancient cities, and rolling contryside make the Loire Valley worth visiting, but the wine makes it a must-visit destination.
The Loire Valley is renowned for white wines, although it does produce copious varieties of reds, too.
Don’t miss the fabulous white wines available at the Chateaux de Goulaine, a 1000-year old castle famous for Muscadet and Folle Blanche. Or you could head up to the Upper Loire and sample the Sauvignon Blanc on offer there, particularly the Sancerre.
Wine Haven 3 – Bordeaux
No wine guide would be complete without mentioning the favorite French wine region for many oenophiles. However, rather than give you a list of regions to visit, there’s one event you should mark in your diaries – the Jurade de St. Emilion.
This wine festival, set in the medieval monastic town of St. Emilion, dates back to 1199. Not only is the town brimming with history and a great place to stay and sample wine any time of the year, it is the very heart of the Bordeaux region. King Louis XIV of France declared “the nectar of the gods” was produced here, and if that’s not enough to entice you, nothing will. The festival takes place on the third Sunday of September, and in addition to a magnificent, historical parade, the local vineyards open their doors for sampling.
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Wine Haven 4 – Languedoc-Roussillion
While you have fun pronouncing that, picture in your mind vast castles and walled medieval cities surrounded by mountains and lakes – and vineyards. You won’t be able to do it justice. The Languedoc-Rossillion region borders the Mediterranean, making it dry and sunny, and the perfect climate for producing fine wine.
Blended wines are what’s happening here, so expect something a little different. The reds are very fruity, the whites are zesty, and for a real experience, try the sparkling Cremant de Limoux – it’s older than Champagne, and as such, is great value.
