Wine Tasting in France
 

My husband and I are spending 2 weeks in France this October. We've booked 1 week in Paris but would like to spend the rest of the time wine tasting around the country and we haven't a clue where to start. All suggestions are greatly appreciated.

In Burgundy the Beaune tourist office has a selection of small group tours. There were 3 of us on the one I took, very reasonable, riding through the vineyards in a Jeep with a knowledgeable English speaking guide and small winery tastings. And you don't need a car if you don't want one. Train from Paris to Dijon, change for the short ride to Beaune.
http://www.beaune-tourism.com/

Oh boy.

Loads of wine regions, some near Paris. SOme more open to "Degustation" than others.

Hence the expensive Bordeaux houses expect 4 months notice and an introductory letter from your mothers wine merchant.

However everywhere else it basically easy. You see the sign, you roll in, you ask if you can taste. You ought to really buy something (dish towel, glasses, cork screw, wine) but this is normally a moral issue.

Then there are places well organised to offer a paid for tasting (normally 2 to 10 euro) these are so used to the arrival of a coach of chinese that you arrival will hardly be noticed.

Areas:
Alsace (close to Paris)
Champagne (close to Paris)
The Loire (Sancerre is close to Paris)
Bordeaux (away from the Haut Medoc)
Chablis/Auxerre (northern Burgundy)(close to Paris)
Southern Burgundy (edging away from Paris)
Rhone

and on and on.

I would definitely spend some time in the Champagne region. A very easy TGV train to Reims and the cathedral there is gorgeous (coronation site for French Kings). If Billecart-Salmon is open for tasting (I am sure you will need a reservation ) , go...it's a favorite of ours!

Over the years we have visited most of the wine regions in France from the Alsace to the Jurancon near Pau. I would first decide what type of wine is of the most interest and go to that region. If you really like Bordeaux style wines you probably don't want to go to Alsace ;;). It's hard to focus just on wine when traveling in France because there are so many wonderful towns, museums and churches to visit on the way to the wineries. Deborah

What kind of wine do you like? There are hundreds upon hundreds of wine regions in France, so the first thing to do is narrow it down to the type(s) of wine you want to taste. If you're impartial, just head out into the country and look for dégustation signs.

Hi L2,

>would like to spend the rest of the time wine tasting around the country and we haven't a clue where to start.<

Are you sure that your level of interest and sophistication is such that you would enjoy planning for and then executing 7 days of hopping from vineyard to vineyard, when you could stay in Paris and visit a couple of wine bars?

((I))

Mme Perdu, thank you for the website. It has proven to be very helpful.

bilboburglar, thank you for the tip about the expectations. :)

Denisea, thank you. We're planning on spending 3 nights in that region. My husband is convinced that Gosset Champagne is his family. Would you have a hotel or B&B recommendations?

Thank you DeborAnn & StCirq, we will definitely narrow down our French wine interests.

ira - I assure you our level of "...insterest and sophistication is such..." Thank you!

If you stay in Epernay the http://www.parvadomusrimaire.com/ is very good, fight on the Avenue de Champagne, rooms all ensuite but a little "de trou", fine breakfast table and lovely people

In Reims we found Larcher
11 Rue Ponsardin, 51100 Reims, France
+33 9 62 08 55 86

a very quiet B&B with an upstairs balcony for breakfast. Nice Owner. The Place d'Forum is just down the way and full of splendid restaurants

The big Champagne houses on the Avenue in Epernay have "how to pay" well sorted. If you go out into the villages it is more friendly.

I'd also recommend Billecart-Salmon but also you may find http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Champagne_Cellars.php entertaining

bilbo, I trust you meant "de trop." :)

StC
I meant de trop as I was writing it but, after a typo, I realised it had a hint of de trou about it as the ensuite's are behind a curtain (nice, clean even elegant but a curtain) rather than a door, so I left it.

Don't know where you plan to base yourselves but I can highly recommend the B&B Maison d'hotes Les Telliers in Reims. There are many champagne houses open for tours right in Reims as well as Epernay but I also recommend tasting at small producers in the countryside. Will you have a car?

<i>Maison d'hotes Les Telliers in Reims.</i>

related to <u>La Maison Le Tellier</u> by Guy de Maupassant?