Hello,

I'm looking for advice on a trip to France and Italy for a late-20's couple that enjoy and are experienced with California wine. Our goal is to be introduced to and enjoy Old World European Wine, as well as experience some of culture and and activities of a typical European vacation. Time of year will be late April.

After some initial research, my basic plan is to start in Paris (2-3 days), travel through Bordeaux to visit vineyards (2-3 days), then move into Italy, stopping in Tuscany (more wine/vineyards) for 2-3 days, and ending in Rome (2-3 days). Probably traveling primarily via train. Budget is mid-level.

I would appreciate any thoughts on additions or changes to that itinerary. Thanks for your help!

Ben

Rather than Bordeaux I would hit burgundy...the villages are much more interesting and more accessible in my opinion.

Wine regions in Europe aren't really set up like North American wineries for tourists...many require appointments in advance with the expectation that you buy...be sure to do your research carefully...

If you're traveling by train, how do you plan to get to vineyards?

In France, base in Beaune, Burgundy.

I have to agree with Burgundy over Bordeaux, but you have to understand that wine touring in France is not quite the same as California, but not quite as complex as wine touring in Spain.

You might want to check out the following to get a better idea of what to expect in Burgundy.

http://wineandvoyages.com/home

Thank you all for the answers!

I understand that Burgundy is a popular and accessible wine region but my wife and I are much bigger fans of the wines produced in the Bordeaux region (Cabernets) vs those produced in the Burgundy region (Pinot Noir and Chardonnays), so we would prefer to explore Bordeaux based on that.

As far as visiting wineries in Bordeaux, I was envisioning bicycling from the city or Bordeaux to closer wineries, and using a tour service to visit more distant vineyards.

I would appreciate any other thoughts on the Bordeaux region, as well as any on Tuscany wine tasting.

Thanks again.

<As far as visiting wineries in Bordeaux, I was envisioning bicycling from the city or Bordeaux to closer wineries, and using a tour service to visit more distant vineyards.>>

Really? Well, here's a dose of reality. You can't even get into the major wine châteaux without an invitation, which won't be forthcoming without a contact. Showing up on bicycles will pretty much be seen as gauche and uninformed and you'll be shunned.

Go to La Maison du Vin and sign up for a tour.

Bordeaux tastings,
1) big houses you need an invitation
2) smaller ACs (say like Cadillac)the village has a tasting room (a bit more like a CA taste library but less attractive)
3) but good news you can pay for a local tour to a bunch of more organised medium level houses. see the Bordeaux tourist info website for details

Yes you can bike between vinyards, in fact there is a half marathon between some but still does not resolve 1,2,3 above

There are many better areas to visit in France for easy taste visiting but if you are serious get talking to your wine supplier, a good wine merchant should be able to get you a bunch of invites (a good one can, but a mediocre one cannot).

You should also look at the tourist info websites fr St Emilion (WHS), and the other smaller Merlot based wine regions to the north as they are more tourist focused, also anywhere on the Entre-deux-Mers may have drive by tastings.

This may help http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Bordeaux_Guide.php

The trouble with cycling between places, is that when they see you arrive they know that you can't buy anything to transport on your bike, so you'd have to have it shipped. Not likely enough so hire a car to move between growers.

Why not base in Reims or Epernay itself and do the Champagne houses, who are a bit more geared up for visitors?

Alternatively, base in the Beaujolais region near Macon and discover the ten "Cru"'s who produce some fantastic wine from the Gamay grape. You'll be amazed at the difference between wines from the same grape.

Last time I was there, I stayed at Les Maritonnes near Romanesche. It's a fantastic hotel with wonderful food and virtually opposite Georges Duboeuf's place. We drove up and down the different Cru's and enjoyed some of the best wine we have tasted. I can particularly recommend Bertolla's Moulin a Vent.

The bike pick up problem is easy. I do it all the time, I buy the wine on the bike but pick it up another day when i have a car. The other strategy for bike driven wine tasting is to buy other stuff they sell or offer to pay for the tasting.

Don't leave people out of pocket.