My friend an I are hopping around to a few countries and plan to spend about 3 days in France in mid-late March. We've already been to Paris so we want to go to the countryside this time. What are the most beautiful wineries? Are any wine areas close enough to each other that we can travel to a different area without spending half the day on a train? Any advice is greatly appreciated!!
Many thanks!
Posted by
Florida
1450 posts
The Burgundy and Provence regions are big wine producers. In Burgundy you could base yourself in Beaune, and in Provence you could use Avignon as a base. There are lots of companies offering tours (all-day or half-day) of these wine regions. They pick you up from your hotel and drive you to wineries for tastings, tours, lunch, etc.
Beaune and Avignon are about 3 hours apart via train.
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
I've been to pretty much every wine region in France, and pretty much all of France contains vineyards except Normandy and Brittany. One of the most beautiful is Alsace and its Route du Vin. It's not so much that the wineries are beautiful, it's that they're in beautiful settings and villages. Burgundy is also a good area, as is the Loire Valley, which has the added bonus of all those chateaus, although it's pretty spread out. Then there's the northern and southern Rhone valleys, which are quite different in terms of wine.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thank you!!!!
Posted by
Birmingham AL
346 posts
IMO it's worth it to have a guide take you around. We used Max Erenau of Max/s Burgundy Wine tours, and loved it. Max picked up in his clean, comfy van for a full day of touring in Burgundy. We had a wonderful time, and learned so much. He drove us through some of the leading vineyards (Romanée-Conti, among others) and explained the role the terroir plays, etc. We visited 3 excellent domaines, got to tour their caves and have private tastings and even spend time with the winemakers. Max even helped us ship home a couple of cases of our favorite wines. The shipper picked up all the wines we bought at the different domaines, then shipped it to us in the Fall, after temps cooled. We also stopped at Chateau du Clos de Vougeot, where monks began making wine in the 12th century.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
That's great advice, thanks!! Is this a private tour you went on with Max?
Posted by
Birmingham AL
346 posts
Yes, it was a private tour with Max. Worth every penny!
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Given that you only have 3 days, I would just pick a region that is logistically sweet for you, that fits well with your itinerary.
EG if coming from Germany I would not choose Bordeaux.
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2087 posts
A visit will be more interesting if the vinyard also make their own wine barrels. Not many, but some still do this like Château Margaux in the Médoc region. Likely a bit out of the way for you but you certainly can find them in other regions too.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15788 posts
I wonder how lovely the countryside is in March. Bare vines are not picturesque. Have you thought about Reims. Every cave tour is different and there are many. Take the train to nearby Epernay for a day. And other sights to see. And close to Paris.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thank you so so much for all the suggestions!!!!! I really appreciate the help :)