Need tips on French wine
 

I am planning a trip with my Dad for his 60's birthday and he is big on Wine so i was wondering where the great regions to visit would be we will only have about a week.
thanks
Ehrin
www.edufire.com

I suppose a good starting point would be the Bordeaux or Burgundy regions. You could easily spend a week seeing either one of these areas.

Well, what kind of wine does he favor?

France is full of wine regions, so there's quite a choice. It might be nice to narrow it down to a region whose wines he's familiar with and enjoys.

With only a week, you should probably concentrate on a single region. Whichever it is, there will be more than enough to occupy your time.

What time of year are you going?

Hi Eh,

If this is your fist visit to France, I suggest a week in Paris.

All of the wines of France are available there.

((I))

I would recommend Burgundy as it is so typically wine country and has many small vineyards. I agree you should not miss the opportunity to see Paris if this is your first trip to France. I'd fly into and out of Paris and tack on at least 3 days in the City of Light as part of the trip. From Paris nearly all the key wine areas are accessible by high speed train (TGV). Have a great trip.

I would consider Champagne. They have, probably, the best tourist infrastructure for wine travel. Otherwise, Alsace is also good for wine travel, followed by Bordeaux and Burgundy.

Agree when you're going is important.

And what types of wine he likes.

Also - can't imagine going to France and not spending at least a few days in Paris - no matter how much anyone likes wine.

During my last four trips to France, I did not spend one day in Paris, so such behaviour is imaginable!

'Big on wine': Red or white or sparkling or....? That information will allow folks to offer advice on the best region/s to visit.

WHat does your father like drinking?

Champange and Alsace tends to be white.

Loire tends to be white with just a bit of red

Burgundy/Bordeaux a mix of both

Rhone is another mix

Then the whole are Langdoc Roussion region which is pretty enormous.

Then do you want it organised for you or just drop in? Do you speak French (far more fun as it expands the options)?

Really need more help here from you and your father.

The best solution is to determine what types of wine he likes, then to check up on the different wine producing regions of France. You can find a detailed list of the wine producing areas of France here: <a>http://about-france.com/wines.htm Wine areas of France </a>
It includes a map showing the different areas.

The Bordeaux region probably has the most to offer in terms of opportunity to visit wine cellars and taste, as it has a lot of small producers of good quality wine. And there is plenty to see here aside from visiting wineries.

Just because it can be done doesn't mean Paris should be skipped.
I'd start in Paris for 3 days. Then arrange a 3 day tour of Burgundy, starting in Dijon perhaps. There are interesting towns to be seen--Beaune would be the center, I'd guess. Take the TGV to CDG for departure if possible. I'd investigate tours of the wine country you decide on in order to maximize your time and enjoyment.
Burgundy will have both reds and whites.

The Red Sancerre from the Loire Valley is a true delight that is next to impossible to find in a fine restaurant here. Its a treat he will talk about for years

>>he is big on Wine<<

Ask him what his French favorites are. Then post again and we will give you extensive advice.

Paris is not a wine-growing region. This means, there is no opportunity to visit wineries which is part of the fun.

However, what you can do is to stay for, say, three days in Paris, make a daytrip from there into the Champagne, go from Paris to the Loire, stay overnight, then spend two days in the Bordeaux region. OR, instead of travelling to Loire/Bordeaux you spend three days in Bourgogne. In any case, you should ask your Dad whether he prefers Bordeaux or Bourgogne. For many wine lovers, it is like being Democrat or Republican.

In any case, he will enjoy driving through the world-famous vineyards, seeing the wineries and having some tastings.
As others have mentioned, there are many famous wine regions in France, and it is an iron law in Europe that all wine-growing regions are beautiful and touristically attractive.