Wine tasting holidays
Discussion
This could go in either forum so let's just see if it stays here 
I fancy a wine tasting trip this year and I though I would seek out recommendations from the PH Oz & James'
My favourite wines are generally from the Rhone so I guess this would be a good place to start, it is arguably in the most scenic part of France as well which would keep the OH (who is not into wine) happy.
How 'stuffy' I'm I likely to find such a tour? Being in my early thirties I'd hate to be stuck with a bunch of people who dress themselves from the back of a Telegraph supplement!
Also, is being slightly lacking in the French speaking department likely to be a major hinderance to enjoying it?
I fancy a wine tasting trip this year and I though I would seek out recommendations from the PH Oz & James'
My favourite wines are generally from the Rhone so I guess this would be a good place to start, it is arguably in the most scenic part of France as well which would keep the OH (who is not into wine) happy.
How 'stuffy' I'm I likely to find such a tour? Being in my early thirties I'd hate to be stuck with a bunch of people who dress themselves from the back of a Telegraph supplement!
Also, is being slightly lacking in the French speaking department likely to be a major hinderance to enjoying it?
These things vary.
You can go on wine tours where someone in a large car drives you about some vineyards for a day right the way up to a week's holiday by air and tourbus with lunch and dinner laid on daily.
We went on a five day trip to the Douro region of Portugal to taste Port. Did it with Lay and Wheeler and it was a fantastic trip. Was it "stuffy"? Not after that much alcohol!
You can go on wine tours where someone in a large car drives you about some vineyards for a day right the way up to a week's holiday by air and tourbus with lunch and dinner laid on daily.
We went on a five day trip to the Douro region of Portugal to taste Port. Did it with Lay and Wheeler and it was a fantastic trip. Was it "stuffy"? Not after that much alcohol!
My only experience was a day trip whilst in South Africa. Myself, the Mrs and a guide in a private car, expensive, but exactly what we wanted customised to visit a number of Vineyards.
We also did a self drive trip in the Dordogne and hit a number of places. Most of the individual vineyards do thier own tours and tastings and you can take things at your own pace. Does need a designated driver though! English only wasn't a problem, all the guides spoke the lingo.
We also did a self drive trip in the Dordogne and hit a number of places. Most of the individual vineyards do thier own tours and tastings and you can take things at your own pace. Does need a designated driver though! English only wasn't a problem, all the guides spoke the lingo.
First proper one of these I ever did was in Burgundy a few years back.
http://www.burgundydiscovery.com/maininfo/homeinfo...
Ther site seems a tad out of date, but am sure you can get in touch with them via published email address if interested.
And yes, I realise Burgundy isn't the Rhone, but these guys are brilliant and Burgundy offers alot n the way of smaller whine makers and these small, 'off the beaten track' tours are my fave by far.
Though slightly biased as Burgundy is possibly my favourite region.
http://www.burgundydiscovery.com/maininfo/homeinfo...
Ther site seems a tad out of date, but am sure you can get in touch with them via published email address if interested.
And yes, I realise Burgundy isn't the Rhone, but these guys are brilliant and Burgundy offers alot n the way of smaller whine makers and these small, 'off the beaten track' tours are my fave by far.
Though slightly biased as Burgundy is possibly my favourite region.
Went to St Emilion last year and it was absolutely fantastic. Never went on any organised tours althought there was plenty of chances to do that if you wish. It was like the whole town was dedicated to wine & food. They were also shops who gave wine tasting courses. Everyone we met spoke English and were very polite.
We however got in contact with the vineyards direct and they could not have been more welcoming!
It will always be special to me as my girlfriend & I got engaged while we were there.
We however got in contact with the vineyards direct and they could not have been more welcoming!
It will always be special to me as my girlfriend & I got engaged while we were there.
Edited by Justman on Tuesday 19th January 15:07
I will proffer my 2c here, if that's OK?
The French don't seem to do the wine tour thing quite like Australia, and the times that I've been, its been difficult to get into vineyards and even then, if you taste their one wine on offer, they expect you to purchase a case.
The trips where I have tasted and enjoyed have included:
1. Stayed in bordeaux, had a look round the city. Quite a few wine bars where you can taste to your heart's delight, then go and buy the wine from the outlet across the street. you cna also take daytrips up the left bank, which is very picturesque, and some of the vineyards around there do tours (eg Macaillou (sp?)).
Spend a day / night in St Emilion. Its a short drive from Bordeaux, very pretty, some decent resturants and wine bars and co-ops ot buy the wine from.
Then I'd pop across to Beaune. Again, lovely scenery on the way, lots of little villages to stop and look at / wander around. Beaune has lots of outlets geared for tasting and buying.
Otherwise, maybe a weekend trip to the champagne region, stay in a nice hotel, have some dinner and try some champagnes.
The other trip I did recently was across to Germany, round the ring a few times (g/f really loved lapping the ring, oddly) then spent a day meandering down through the Rhine region, buying wine.
If it were me, I would simply plan ahead using viamichelin for hotels and restaurants, then try and call / email the vineyard beforehand to arrance some appointments.
The other place I can recommend (a little off piste) is Northern Hungary, expecially in and around Eger, which is a beautiful town and has a burgeoning wine industry, best known for Tokai and Bikaver.
The French don't seem to do the wine tour thing quite like Australia, and the times that I've been, its been difficult to get into vineyards and even then, if you taste their one wine on offer, they expect you to purchase a case.
The trips where I have tasted and enjoyed have included:
1. Stayed in bordeaux, had a look round the city. Quite a few wine bars where you can taste to your heart's delight, then go and buy the wine from the outlet across the street. you cna also take daytrips up the left bank, which is very picturesque, and some of the vineyards around there do tours (eg Macaillou (sp?)).
Spend a day / night in St Emilion. Its a short drive from Bordeaux, very pretty, some decent resturants and wine bars and co-ops ot buy the wine from.
Then I'd pop across to Beaune. Again, lovely scenery on the way, lots of little villages to stop and look at / wander around. Beaune has lots of outlets geared for tasting and buying.
Otherwise, maybe a weekend trip to the champagne region, stay in a nice hotel, have some dinner and try some champagnes.
The other trip I did recently was across to Germany, round the ring a few times (g/f really loved lapping the ring, oddly) then spent a day meandering down through the Rhine region, buying wine.
If it were me, I would simply plan ahead using viamichelin for hotels and restaurants, then try and call / email the vineyard beforehand to arrance some appointments.
The other place I can recommend (a little off piste) is Northern Hungary, expecially in and around Eger, which is a beautiful town and has a burgeoning wine industry, best known for Tokai and Bikaver.
raf_gti said:
Also, is being slightly lacking in the French speaking department likely to be a major hinderance to enjoying it?
Not if you go wine-tasting in New Zealand instead www.winetrailtours.co.nz
Simpo Two said:
raf_gti said:
Also, is being slightly lacking in the French speaking department likely to be a major hinderance to enjoying it?
Not if you go wine-tasting in New Zealand instead www.winetrailtours.co.nz
Good find, would love to go down there sometime, if only we had the time.
As for the rest of the replies I think for me I'd want to have an organised tour for my first visit to France etc. My knowledge isn't quite there yet so I don't fancy trying to find a good vineyard on the hoof, as much fun as it may be!
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