Fruits of the vine: French vineyards
No trip to France would be complete without sampling produce from Burgundy or Bordeaux, the country's most famous wine regions
It is often said that France produces some of the best wines, with Château Margaux and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti among the elite. While other countries can give the French a run for their money in winemaking, none can match the French for being the source of so many of the grape varieties found around the world.
Wine is the alcoholic beverage of choice for the French. The wine trade is huge, and no holiday in France would be complete without indulging in a trip or two to some of the best vineyards and tourist attractions to discover the passion behind the wine and the people who make them.
Nuits-St-Georges in the Burgundy region is famous for some of the finest red wines, including the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Discovering the history of the region's wine production at the L'Imaginarium is ideal for enthusiasts and families who can learn about the process of tending vines on a tour that features shows, storytelling, and explanations of winemaking tools.
Or, visitors can learn about sparkling wines on another tour with interactive activities and films, before finishing the visit with some wine tasting.
L'Imaginarium also holds sensory workshops, allowing visitors to discover their wine preferences while developing an understanding of specific tastes, which is ideal for anyone who wants to enhance their knowledge of wine. End the day with a visit to the vast boutique, where visitors can purchase their favourite wines from the day and other souvenirs.
These tours are an unforgettable experience for anyone who wants to learn about Bordeaux wine history and taste vintages from the château. Magrez, who owns 35 vineyards around the world, has created a wine experience to captivate connoisseurs and those just beginning their wine journey.
Château de Pommard offers a fantastic introduction to Burgundy wine. The stunning château built in 1726 houses a cellar containing 300,000 bottles of fabulous Burgundy wines.
The castle re-creates the atmosphere of the 18th century, consuming visitors with its wealth of history.
For a traditional experience, the château offers a tour of its wines and vineyards, allowing visitors to go back in time.
During the guided tour, visitors can learn about the wines and see the tools which have been used in the castle through the years, before stopping to taste the history in its fabulously crafted product. There is also an opportunity to eat lunch in the fantastic gardens which should not be missed.
French vineyards and châteaux are among the best in the world. With 8 billion bottles of wine made in France each year, it would almost be neglectful to pass through this fantastic wine-producing country without experiencing it for yourself.
WHERE TO GO
www.imaginarium-bourgogne.com
Tours:
€8 (HK$81.4) per adult
€5 per youth (12-17 years)
Free for children under 12
Sensory workshops:
€15 per adult
No one under 18 permitted
www.luxurywinetourism.fr
There is a range of tours offered from the "Wine Amateur's Tour" for €10 to the "Wine Collectors Tour" for €99 per person
Overnight stays can be requested via the website
www.planet-bordeaux.com
