Beaune to Santenay biking
May 25th, 2010, 12:10 PM
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Beaune to Santenay biking
Hello!
My boyfriend and I are spending two days in Beaune this summer. We are eager to do the 20km Beaune to Santenay bike route, but I am having trouble finding any advice online. If someone has done this route, I would love to hear what vineyards you stopped at along the way, how many tastings you did, what the cost was for each tasting and any other useful information.
Thank you!
My boyfriend and I are spending two days in Beaune this summer. We are eager to do the 20km Beaune to Santenay bike route, but I am having trouble finding any advice online. If someone has done this route, I would love to hear what vineyards you stopped at along the way, how many tastings you did, what the cost was for each tasting and any other useful information.
Thank you!
May 25th, 2010, 04:30 PM
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I'm assuming you probably already found this link but in case you haven't, check it out. I bet if you stop at various random vineyards along the way you'll find just what you are looking for. I can't imagine that a simple tasting would cost more than 5 or 10 euros. The terrain along this route should be relatively flat and easy to bike.
http://www.beaune-burgundy.com/Wine-...-road-next.asp
http://www.beaune-burgundy.com/Wine-...-road-next.asp
May 27th, 2010, 06:07 AM
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Thanks for the reply. I did find that website which was very helpful for identifying the different towns from Beaune to Santenay, and the route. However, when I have tried to research specific vineyards, I am still unable to find anything.
May 27th, 2010, 08:39 AM
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Hi, Lauren: I ran into the same problem a couple of months ago and then found the Wine Doctor's detailed pages on the Burgundy region, with maps. http://www.thewinedoctor.com/regiona...ypartone.shtml It leans towards true wine geeks, but is still highly useful no matter what your area of expertise may be.
As to costs, you may have more luck going to each producer's own website for the tasting details once you narrow down which vineyards you want to visit.
Other than that, my understanding is that one can simply drive/bike the route(s)and look for the "degustation" signs along the way.
Burgundy is still on my list for a future trip. Please get back to us with a report if you do end up going. In the meantime, someone who has been there recently will hopefully respond. Biking sounds like a great way to do this.
As to costs, you may have more luck going to each producer's own website for the tasting details once you narrow down which vineyards you want to visit.
Other than that, my understanding is that one can simply drive/bike the route(s)and look for the "degustation" signs along the way.
Burgundy is still on my list for a future trip. Please get back to us with a report if you do end up going. In the meantime, someone who has been there recently will hopefully respond. Biking sounds like a great way to do this.
May 27th, 2010, 08:50 AM
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Just driving/walking/biking by places, as sap mentions, is exactly how I have done wine tasting while in Burgundy. I'm not big on planning and just sort of let my trips happen once I arrive somewhere. There was absolutely no shortage of places to taste wine in that region. On my wine tasting day I walked between the small towns of Gevrey-Chambertin, Brochon and Fixin just stopping at wine cellars all along the way.
May 27th, 2010, 08:59 AM
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You'll need to scroll through to the parts of the wine doctor's Burgundy pages about the Côte de Beaune, of course, particularly part 3 that talks about Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet. He mentions notable domaines. From that and other sources, I gathered some of the following info about the Côte de Beaune wines:
NOTABLE CORTON DOMAINES:
Bonneau du Martray, Florent de Mérode, Louis Latour and Comte Senard.
NOTABLE BEAUNE DOMAINES:
Albert Bichot, Bouchard Père, Joseph Drouhin, Hospices de Beaune, Louis Jadot, Albert Morot and Remoissenet.
NOTABLE POMMARD/VOLNAY DOMAINES:
Marquis d’Angerville, Michael Lafarge, Hubert de Montille and Pousse d’Or.
NOTABLE MEURSAULT DOMAINES:
Robert Ampeau, Michel Bouzerau, Yves Boyer-Martenot, Coche-Dury, Patrick Javillier, Pierre-Morey and Guy Roulot.
NOTABLE PULIGNY-MONTRACHET DOMAINES:
Louis Carillon, Leflaive, Olivier Leflaive, Paul Pernot and Étienne Sauzet.
Also, I did a little research about expert opinion on vintages:
Lesser Burgundy vintages: 1984, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006 (though unpredictable), 2007 (better for whites, though) and especially 2008.
Good Burgundy vintages: 1990, 1999, 2002, 2005 (the best) and, per initial assessments, 2009 (though not as good as 2005).
Finally, I think Rick Steves' France 2010 book has a section on wine tasting between Beaune and Santenay (see p. 785). He offers a few details and then specifically mentions Caveau de Puligny Montrachet (€10 for 5 wines; free if you buy 6 bottles, etc.); Domaines d'Aloxe Corton; Chateau de l'Ange Gardien and La Cave de Pommard, with details on all.
NOTABLE CORTON DOMAINES:
Bonneau du Martray, Florent de Mérode, Louis Latour and Comte Senard.
NOTABLE BEAUNE DOMAINES:
Albert Bichot, Bouchard Père, Joseph Drouhin, Hospices de Beaune, Louis Jadot, Albert Morot and Remoissenet.
NOTABLE POMMARD/VOLNAY DOMAINES:
Marquis d’Angerville, Michael Lafarge, Hubert de Montille and Pousse d’Or.
NOTABLE MEURSAULT DOMAINES:
Robert Ampeau, Michel Bouzerau, Yves Boyer-Martenot, Coche-Dury, Patrick Javillier, Pierre-Morey and Guy Roulot.
NOTABLE PULIGNY-MONTRACHET DOMAINES:
Louis Carillon, Leflaive, Olivier Leflaive, Paul Pernot and Étienne Sauzet.
Also, I did a little research about expert opinion on vintages:
Lesser Burgundy vintages: 1984, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006 (though unpredictable), 2007 (better for whites, though) and especially 2008.
Good Burgundy vintages: 1990, 1999, 2002, 2005 (the best) and, per initial assessments, 2009 (though not as good as 2005).
Finally, I think Rick Steves' France 2010 book has a section on wine tasting between Beaune and Santenay (see p. 785). He offers a few details and then specifically mentions Caveau de Puligny Montrachet (€10 for 5 wines; free if you buy 6 bottles, etc.); Domaines d'Aloxe Corton; Chateau de l'Ange Gardien and La Cave de Pommard, with details on all.
May 27th, 2010, 02:33 PM
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Well, I think sap has done all the hard work for you. As an aside, once in Burgundy I was able to find pamphlets, brochures and brief books in abundance (and in English) with details about what were good and bad wine years as well as notable producers and domaines. These were available in many stores that sold your basic sort of souvenir and touristy stuff. I'm no wine geek myself (just what is a velvety finish and how do I know if I am tasting nodes of chocolate?) but my taste buds are developed enough to know the difference between average and better quality wines and just armed with some basic info I had no trouble finding, sampling and buying good quality wines. But as I said, my travel style is to let my vacation happen somewhat spontaneously. I get stressed by overplanning and complex scheduling. I guess that's easy to say though when you already live in France, as I do. Have fun!
Jul 1st, 2010, 03:01 AM
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I live in Paris and go to Beaune for cycling 3 or 4 times a year. I have done the Beaune to Santenay route probably 30 times, the last being last month. I am more into cycling than wine tasting so I drink wine after returning each day in Beaune instead of the wine tasting thing. Wine tasting and cyling really don't mix especially in hot summer weather.
I can tell you this: If you are an experienced cyclist Beaune to Santenay is done easily in 2 hours. It is almost entirely along service roads through the vineyards. Almost all the vehicular traffic will be the little white vans used by the vineyard personnel and tractors that do the cultivating and spraying. You will cross National Route 74 at Chassagne-Montrachet but you won't travel on it. It is by no means flat. It is hilly most of the route but not really challenging to avid cyclists. If you seldom ride a bike you will struggle if you do the entire route and return the same day. Take baby powder with you. Take water and a lunch from the Casino Super Market (or other) before leaving Beaune as there are only a couple small stores along the route and they are closed Mondays, half the day Wednesdays and they take long afternoon breaks. The best store along the way is nearly half-way (Casino Superette at Meursault town center) and at Santenay. (just past town center at the Vival Superette) Get there before noon though.
You can rent a bike at BOURGOGNE RANDONNEES, located 2 blocks after the train station going into Beaune. Go straight out the door of the station and straight down the street to bike shop on the right. They will supply you with maps and give you any advise you may need about cycling in the Beaune area. There are routes north of the city towards Dijon but you will be on highways instead of the safer service roads south of town and it is not nearly as pretty since there are fewer vineyards along the way. Going south to Santenay is all vineyards as well as much safer.
Enjoy,
Larry J
I can tell you this: If you are an experienced cyclist Beaune to Santenay is done easily in 2 hours. It is almost entirely along service roads through the vineyards. Almost all the vehicular traffic will be the little white vans used by the vineyard personnel and tractors that do the cultivating and spraying. You will cross National Route 74 at Chassagne-Montrachet but you won't travel on it. It is by no means flat. It is hilly most of the route but not really challenging to avid cyclists. If you seldom ride a bike you will struggle if you do the entire route and return the same day. Take baby powder with you. Take water and a lunch from the Casino Super Market (or other) before leaving Beaune as there are only a couple small stores along the route and they are closed Mondays, half the day Wednesdays and they take long afternoon breaks. The best store along the way is nearly half-way (Casino Superette at Meursault town center) and at Santenay. (just past town center at the Vival Superette) Get there before noon though.
You can rent a bike at BOURGOGNE RANDONNEES, located 2 blocks after the train station going into Beaune. Go straight out the door of the station and straight down the street to bike shop on the right. They will supply you with maps and give you any advise you may need about cycling in the Beaune area. There are routes north of the city towards Dijon but you will be on highways instead of the safer service roads south of town and it is not nearly as pretty since there are fewer vineyards along the way. Going south to Santenay is all vineyards as well as much safer.
Enjoy,
Larry J
