Wine making is an ancient practice in France. Their vineyards have been developed for well over a thousand years with devotion to cultivating high quality grapes. Whether you are a novice in wine appreciation or something of a connoisseur France wine tours offer a plethora of options to learn more about our favorite beverage.
It is estimated that there are around twenty seven thousand producers in the country and they are spread over the regions, except the most northerly ones. Some regions are particularly renowned for one type of wine, Champagne, for example. However, in general every area has a mixture and includes small producers and large commercial operations.
A good starting point is to consider the wine you like to drink. Tours are usually sold by region so this is a good place to start your decision. If you do not like red and always go for white then Sancerre would be a great place to go as the white wines from there are very popular and of a high quality. If red is your thing then you have more choice, Burgundy, Medoc and Bordeaux all produce lots of the red stuff. Some areas have a mixture such as the Loire Valley.
It is important to decide which time of year to visit as some months are basically out of bounds. The period of blending, when the previous years harvest is bottled is a very busy one for producers and they do not accept visitors. Then there are tastings by professionals when the world's experts descend to judge the quality of that year's crop. Check with tour agents before booking to avoid disappointment.
The Bordeaux region makes a great introduction to the world of French wines. It has variety in terms of the types of grape, size of producers and quality of wines. There is also a renowned wine school offering classes for beginners and connoisseurs alike. They offer introduction classes which explore tasting and the basics of production which is a perfect way to start a tour. Bordeaux is a large region with different soils "terroir" so you can taste how this affects the flavor of wine.
For those who want to incorporate some culture or nature into their trip, Provence makes a great destination. The region is home to a number of UNESCO sites, Medieval villages, Chateaus and national parks. It is famed for its incredible produce and artisan food producers. It also has a long coastline on the Mediterranean so makes a good place to relax.
Viticulture, as we have said, has a long and interesting history in France. Many tours are planned to reflect this and have staff who have broad knowledge and lots of contacts in the wine world. They offer a range of tours from budget packages to bespoke trips which are designed for you. Either way they always include a decent guide and several trips to different vineyards where you an sample a range of wines.
Wine tours are an increasingly popular way to enjoy a region of the world known for its fine food, traditional production and picturesque villages. France is a large country with much to offer the visitor. Tour are usually organised by region so check out where your favorite types of wine are made and head in that direction.
It is estimated that there are around twenty seven thousand producers in the country and they are spread over the regions, except the most northerly ones. Some regions are particularly renowned for one type of wine, Champagne, for example. However, in general every area has a mixture and includes small producers and large commercial operations.
A good starting point is to consider the wine you like to drink. Tours are usually sold by region so this is a good place to start your decision. If you do not like red and always go for white then Sancerre would be a great place to go as the white wines from there are very popular and of a high quality. If red is your thing then you have more choice, Burgundy, Medoc and Bordeaux all produce lots of the red stuff. Some areas have a mixture such as the Loire Valley.
It is important to decide which time of year to visit as some months are basically out of bounds. The period of blending, when the previous years harvest is bottled is a very busy one for producers and they do not accept visitors. Then there are tastings by professionals when the world's experts descend to judge the quality of that year's crop. Check with tour agents before booking to avoid disappointment.
The Bordeaux region makes a great introduction to the world of French wines. It has variety in terms of the types of grape, size of producers and quality of wines. There is also a renowned wine school offering classes for beginners and connoisseurs alike. They offer introduction classes which explore tasting and the basics of production which is a perfect way to start a tour. Bordeaux is a large region with different soils "terroir" so you can taste how this affects the flavor of wine.
For those who want to incorporate some culture or nature into their trip, Provence makes a great destination. The region is home to a number of UNESCO sites, Medieval villages, Chateaus and national parks. It is famed for its incredible produce and artisan food producers. It also has a long coastline on the Mediterranean so makes a good place to relax.
Viticulture, as we have said, has a long and interesting history in France. Many tours are planned to reflect this and have staff who have broad knowledge and lots of contacts in the wine world. They offer a range of tours from budget packages to bespoke trips which are designed for you. Either way they always include a decent guide and several trips to different vineyards where you an sample a range of wines.
Wine tours are an increasingly popular way to enjoy a region of the world known for its fine food, traditional production and picturesque villages. France is a large country with much to offer the visitor. Tour are usually organised by region so check out where your favorite types of wine are made and head in that direction.
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