France is one of the oldest wine producing countries in the world. It makes a staggering seven to eight billion bottles every year. It is a great place to learn all about viticulture and visit different types of vineyard. Finding the best France wine tours can be confusing but there are a few ways to narrow the search.
Except for the most northern areas most regions of France produce it. Some make higher quality offerings than others and many regions have a swathe of vintage producers. Your preference for wine should have some bearing on where you decide to go. It could be as simple as deciding according to the color of wine you prefer. If you only drink red then head to Burgundy, Bordeaux or Medoc. Some of the best white wines in the world come from the Sancerre region and Provence produces some outstanding rose wines.
French wines are often classified by region rather than grape variety as in the rest of the world. Producers are very proud of the traditions of their area and will be keen to talk about that with visitors. You will hear lots about "terroir" which links the style of wine to the type of soil the grapes were grown in.
Another factor to consider is the time of year. Obviously the growing season and production will affect how the tour is carried out. For example, during the months when blending is taking place most producers do not accept visitors as they are too busy. This usually happens in winter. Other times when they are too busy are when the professional tasters and classifiers are visiting to test the crop. This varies depending on region. On the other hand many people like to visit during harvest time as there are festivals and it is generally a lot of fun.
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.
Provence is a great option for an extend visit as the region has so much to offer in addition to delicious wines. It is well known for its food culture and has lots of small artisan producers making exceptional food to enjoy with your beverages. There are also UNESCO sites, Medieval villages and the French Mediterranean coast. Provence has it all and you could spend weeks there drinking, eating and soaking up the culture.
There are lots of specialist tour agencies offering excellent trips in France, They usually have a number of packages to choose from which will include most things, accommodation, food, transport, guides and vineyard tours. They will also have lots of contacts in the French wine industry so can organize tailor made trips too. Most companies also have connections with shipping companies so you can take plenty of your favorite discoveries home.
French wine is coveted the world over for its quality and history. A visit to vineyards is a great way to get to understand and appreciate the technical aspects of production and how this affects the end product. The options for a tour of French wines is endless so start by thinking about the types of wine that you enjoy and then check out where you can find them.
Except for the most northern areas most regions of France produce it. Some make higher quality offerings than others and many regions have a swathe of vintage producers. Your preference for wine should have some bearing on where you decide to go. It could be as simple as deciding according to the color of wine you prefer. If you only drink red then head to Burgundy, Bordeaux or Medoc. Some of the best white wines in the world come from the Sancerre region and Provence produces some outstanding rose wines.
French wines are often classified by region rather than grape variety as in the rest of the world. Producers are very proud of the traditions of their area and will be keen to talk about that with visitors. You will hear lots about "terroir" which links the style of wine to the type of soil the grapes were grown in.
Another factor to consider is the time of year. Obviously the growing season and production will affect how the tour is carried out. For example, during the months when blending is taking place most producers do not accept visitors as they are too busy. This usually happens in winter. Other times when they are too busy are when the professional tasters and classifiers are visiting to test the crop. This varies depending on region. On the other hand many people like to visit during harvest time as there are festivals and it is generally a lot of fun.
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.
Provence is a great option for an extend visit as the region has so much to offer in addition to delicious wines. It is well known for its food culture and has lots of small artisan producers making exceptional food to enjoy with your beverages. There are also UNESCO sites, Medieval villages and the French Mediterranean coast. Provence has it all and you could spend weeks there drinking, eating and soaking up the culture.
There are lots of specialist tour agencies offering excellent trips in France, They usually have a number of packages to choose from which will include most things, accommodation, food, transport, guides and vineyard tours. They will also have lots of contacts in the French wine industry so can organize tailor made trips too. Most companies also have connections with shipping companies so you can take plenty of your favorite discoveries home.
French wine is coveted the world over for its quality and history. A visit to vineyards is a great way to get to understand and appreciate the technical aspects of production and how this affects the end product. The options for a tour of French wines is endless so start by thinking about the types of wine that you enjoy and then check out where you can find them.
About the Author:
You can visit decantertours.com for more helpful information about France Wine Tours Are A Great Place To Learn About Viticulture.
No comments:
Post a Comment