A Love Affair with French Wine

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Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Domaine Romaine Conti, Salon Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs. Does that all sound very foreign to you? Trust me, after touring the wine regions of France, these words will be rolling off your tongue just as easily as the wine goes down your gullet.

France is divided into six major wine regions –

• Alsace

• Bordeaux

• Burgundy

• Champagne

• Loire Valley

• Provence and the Rhone Valley

There are also some boutique areas such as Jura and Languedoc.

 

If you are going to travel to France then it would be sacrilegious not to partake in the nectar of the land. Developing a cultured taste in good wines is easy when surrounded by the terroir that has produced the finest wines for centuries.

Viticulture in France dates back about 2600 years. Archaeologists recently uncovered the remains of a winery as far back as 10AD. One of the oldest winery’s still in operation is Chateaux Golaine which has reportedly been in the same family for 1000 years. It is in the Loire Valley near Nantes.

If old is not quite your thing, then Domaine de Mourchon which was established in 1998 and has already reached notoriety, will be worth a visit. Established by the McKinley family from Scotland in Provence. I must say, I thought the Scots were better at making Whiskey but there you go.

Wine tasting can be bit of a stuffy and expensive affair, unless you decide to spice it up and set out on an adventure that will remain indelibly etched on your mind.

• Bicycle wine tours are gaining momentum. You can choose between guided trips or simply hire a bike, grab a map and away you go. Remember to stay on the right-hand side of the road!

• Can you ride a horse? Then this is the way to go. Horse-back guided wine tours. Don’t fall off, it’s a long way down.

• If neither a bicycle or a horse appeal to you, then how about a walking tour. Take in the magnificent scenery at your leisure as you amble between the vineyards.

• If you have a bit of cash to spare then hire a driver in a luxury, vintage or sports car to chauffeur you around. Posh wine tasting for sure.

Something to remember and that is synonymous with wine tasting in France, are food pairings. To enhance your wine tasting experience, certain foods which could be salty, sweet or cheesy will be paired with the wines. This gives you the opportunity to taste some local delicacies at the same time. Of course, it also goes a long way to filling you up. You don’t want to be drinking on an empty stomach.

Retire to your ‘Pensions de Famille’ in the evening to get a good night’s rest, before setting out again the next day.

Exciting travel experiences offer you a unique lifestyle that will broaden your horizons and increase your depth of appreciation for the wonderful world that we live in. It is time to start travelling now, so get busy on that travel wish list.