Hi all,
Quite easy question: can you enjoy visiting any of the wine regions without drinking? Curious to hear your answers.
As an example, my husband does not want to go with me to Bordeaux if I’m not “enjoying the wine experience” with him and “tasting”.
I have neighbors who own a house in Bordeaux. Neither one of them drinks alcohol. So I guess the answer is "yes". You don't have to drink wine to appreciate the surroundings.
Hi Ejwaves,
It will be more interesting if you partake. You will never be pressured to drink any samples, you could always ask for a spittoon and taste without drinking.
If you are not going to drink, I would recommend visiting wineries that are historic with a lot of character. These experiences would be enjoyable. A few that come to mind are Chateau Pape Clement, Chateau Pichon Baron, Chateau Siran, and Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot. Visiting a very modern one like Chateau Lynch Bages maybe interesting as well.
Some wineries will expect you to pay for the visit regardless of whether you participate in the tasting.
If you are looking for more information this would be a good website to visit: www.sauvistication.com
Safe Travels
Of course you can. There's more to see and do in the various regions besides wine. And even a non-drinker at a vineyard can enjoy learning about wines and the history of the winery, especially when it's in a beautiful setting.
The answer is a definite yes. Besides tasting the wines, visiting wineries, especially very old wineries, is to see the architecture and beauty of the property.
Exactly what JeanM and Threadwear said. You are seeing gorgeous countryside, and it's interesting from a scientific / cultural perspective to learn about winemaking techniques and traditions.
I don't see what the problem would be with enjoying a wine tasting without drinking it, since it can be done by spitting.
When we tour the region's wineries to stock up on wine (this is where there are the most vineyards in France, and it's neither Bordeaux, nor Burgundy, nor Alsace), we spit instead of drinking, otherwise we wouldn't be able to visit more than one winery :)
But these are free tastings, just for amateurs and possibly buyers, so no cheese or charcuterie boards to accompany the wine like those in the paid wine tastings.
There's always a spittoon available, and that's how it's usually done.
Took my dad on a wine tasting tour in France as part of our two week trip. He provided lots of enjoyment to each tour when asked which wine he preferred. Honestly I can't stand wine he said!!! The first time he did that I was mortified. He continued to say he is a wood carver and he only came to see and touch the beautiful barrels. No one cared that he didn't drink anything.
I have been enjoying winery visits with my spouse in many locations for decades….and I don’t drink alcohol. The settings are often beautiful and the staff friendly. And I have learned lots!
As others have said, "yes!" This region is rich in history and not just in wine. I've taken friends wine tasting and have not tasted (I was the driver) and typically have been offered an alternative (water or juice.) The estates are beautiful, each with an interesting story that I think even as a non-wine drinker you would have an enjoyable time.
well I certainly don't want to get between two spouses - the answers you've received are objectively correct as far as I am concerned - but subjectively only you can know how you and your husband would work out his issues.
I hope that the two of you can find a way forward to both enjoy beautiful Bordeaux - my wife and I did and we don't drink alcohol at all.
We don't drink much and have greatly enjoyed spending a couple of weeks in Burgundy and also a few days passing through. BUT we aren't visiting wineries -- I would think it excruciatingly boring to visit more than one if wine were not my object. If he is doing this as a wine tasting trip, well yeah, I would hope you would find other things to do including read a good book in a place with a nice view rather than traipsing through another tedious talk about wine. But then I am a seen one seen them all person about wineries. Been there, done that, don't need to see another giant oak barrel or see another vat bubbling.
The wine regions, like all regions of France, have many lovely towns, abbeys, parks and things to do. But if one person is on a dedicated wine tasting trip, the non drinker is likely to be bored. Or at least I would be. How possible is it for you to do other things while he does his thing?
