good vineyards to visit in france...
Discussion
i know its a long post and a lot to ask, but I thought it would be a good idea to ask for recommendations incase anyone has done this before.
im looking to go over to france after I have saved up the money to bring back quite a few bottles of wine direct from the vineyards bottling people.
does anyone have recommendation to which vineyards would be willing to sell me some direct from there cellars and that would be a good 'yard to buy from with tastey wine and also, and if I can taste the wine before buying it, it would be a GREAT help to choosing my bottles as i have not really narrowed down the type i like, I have only had a small few bottles that I have not liked, but the majority is ok in my books.
looking for a mix of red's and white's and also a small section of bubbly, not really looking to be driving all over the whole of france to all the different places, just a few as if i find one or two red type, one or two white type and one bubble type im happy to buy the majority of each type (if they do different types i.e. red and white) from one place if they are good enough.
big miles is not too much a bother to me, but the ability to use a sat nav would be a must, as I dont have a clue where I am going over the continent and Im not that good with using a map, altho can use one, would have to keep checking it every turn as im a bit useless at remembering directions.
I checked and I can bring back up to 90 litres of wine from france and not be looked at in poor light by customs as long as i can prove they are for personal use, dont know if i will bring that amount back but it might happen lol
cheers
im looking to go over to france after I have saved up the money to bring back quite a few bottles of wine direct from the vineyards bottling people.
does anyone have recommendation to which vineyards would be willing to sell me some direct from there cellars and that would be a good 'yard to buy from with tastey wine and also, and if I can taste the wine before buying it, it would be a GREAT help to choosing my bottles as i have not really narrowed down the type i like, I have only had a small few bottles that I have not liked, but the majority is ok in my books.
looking for a mix of red's and white's and also a small section of bubbly, not really looking to be driving all over the whole of france to all the different places, just a few as if i find one or two red type, one or two white type and one bubble type im happy to buy the majority of each type (if they do different types i.e. red and white) from one place if they are good enough.
big miles is not too much a bother to me, but the ability to use a sat nav would be a must, as I dont have a clue where I am going over the continent and Im not that good with using a map, altho can use one, would have to keep checking it every turn as im a bit useless at remembering directions.
I checked and I can bring back up to 90 litres of wine from france and not be looked at in poor light by customs as long as i can prove they are for personal use, dont know if i will bring that amount back but it might happen lol
cheers
I suspect your question is much too wide.
Any decent vineyard will have tasting of their own product. If they don't then keep away.
I can recommend a lovely Champagne House near to Reims http://www.champagneaspasie.com/index.php?page=dom...
I have never stayed there but we have visited a number of times to buy Champagne if we have been in the area. They now have rooms and get good reviews for their B&B.
No prices on their website but they should respond to an English email as the daughter in law speaks and writes good English. About three or four years ago their ordinary Champagne was around 12.50E a bottle.
For non champagne bubbly then their are vineyards in the Loire, something like http://www.gratienmeyer.com/web/uk_aoc_cremant_loi... is very nice although much more commercial than Ariston Fils above.
For white/red recommendations you really need an idea of what you want to know where to start.
Any decent vineyard will have tasting of their own product. If they don't then keep away.
I can recommend a lovely Champagne House near to Reims http://www.champagneaspasie.com/index.php?page=dom...
I have never stayed there but we have visited a number of times to buy Champagne if we have been in the area. They now have rooms and get good reviews for their B&B.
No prices on their website but they should respond to an English email as the daughter in law speaks and writes good English. About three or four years ago their ordinary Champagne was around 12.50E a bottle.
For non champagne bubbly then their are vineyards in the Loire, something like http://www.gratienmeyer.com/web/uk_aoc_cremant_loi... is very nice although much more commercial than Ariston Fils above.
For white/red recommendations you really need an idea of what you want to know where to start.
Slink said:
I checked and I can bring back up to 90 litres of wine from france and not be looked at in poor light by customs as long as i can prove they are for personal use, dont know if i will bring that amount back but it might happen lol
You can legally bring back an unlimited amount of wine from France, or from anywhere in the EU, providing that local duty has been paid. However, it is has to be for your own use (ie not for selling on), so HMRC have set out some arbitrary amounts like the 90 litres of wine (conveniently 10 dozen normal bottles) above which they might ask for some explanation about why you are bringing them into the UK.i know thatin theory you can bring back anything from the EU, but to keep it within regs and not having any interviews by customs on why i am bringing a huge amount in to england i probably bring back under the allowed amount, but i cannont say that I will not get more than that.
cheer for the poster that showed me the websites, look alright if a bit sparse. might have to check them out in person.
im open to any type of wine btw as long as it isnt just vinegary and plain rubbish.
cheer for the poster that showed me the websites, look alright if a bit sparse. might have to check them out in person.
im open to any type of wine btw as long as it isnt just vinegary and plain rubbish.
What's your objective?
For example:
Learn about production/producers?
Buy wine that is harder to get over here?
Buy wine cheaper than over here?
Do you have a typical price per bottle you'd be looking at?
Reason I ask is that whilst most producers are happy to see visitors (and many will sell from the cellar door) they're set up differently to handle guests. For example, some of the champagne houses have full blown visitor facilities and tour guides (and charged accordingly) but go to burgundy and you'll probably be taking the owner or winemaker's own time (usually no charge, but in some cases you'll need an appointment). Equally it'd be embarrassing to discover that the Grand Cru burg you're enjoying isn't going to come in at 5 euros.
Also think carefully about logistics. You don't want to be leaving wine roasting in the car all day, which means planning around hotels (air con!) becomes important. I've found that Beaune makes a good base in the north (and very easy to drop into champagne houses on the way back), but Bordeaux/Rhone can reached in a day.
For example:
Learn about production/producers?
Buy wine that is harder to get over here?
Buy wine cheaper than over here?
Do you have a typical price per bottle you'd be looking at?
Reason I ask is that whilst most producers are happy to see visitors (and many will sell from the cellar door) they're set up differently to handle guests. For example, some of the champagne houses have full blown visitor facilities and tour guides (and charged accordingly) but go to burgundy and you'll probably be taking the owner or winemaker's own time (usually no charge, but in some cases you'll need an appointment). Equally it'd be embarrassing to discover that the Grand Cru burg you're enjoying isn't going to come in at 5 euros.
Also think carefully about logistics. You don't want to be leaving wine roasting in the car all day, which means planning around hotels (air con!) becomes important. I've found that Beaune makes a good base in the north (and very easy to drop into champagne houses on the way back), but Bordeaux/Rhone can reached in a day.
LooneyTunes said:
What's your objective?
For example:
Learn about production/producers?
Buy wine that is harder to get over here?
Buy wine cheaper than over here?
Do you have a typical price per bottle you'd be looking at?
Reason I ask is that whilst most producers are happy to see visitors (and many will sell from the cellar door) they're set up differently to handle guests. For example, some of the champagne houses have full blown visitor facilities and tour guides (and charged accordingly) but go to burgundy and you'll probably be taking the owner or winemaker's own time (usually no charge, but in some cases you'll need an appointment). Equally it'd be embarrassing to discover that the Grand Cru burg you're enjoying isn't going to come in at 5 euros.
Also think carefully about logistics. You don't want to be leaving wine roasting in the car all day, which means planning around hotels (air con!) becomes important. I've found that Beaune makes a good base in the north (and very easy to drop into champagne houses on the way back), but Bordeaux/Rhone can reached in a day.
Learn about production/producers?For example:
Learn about production/producers?
Buy wine that is harder to get over here?
Buy wine cheaper than over here?
Do you have a typical price per bottle you'd be looking at?
Reason I ask is that whilst most producers are happy to see visitors (and many will sell from the cellar door) they're set up differently to handle guests. For example, some of the champagne houses have full blown visitor facilities and tour guides (and charged accordingly) but go to burgundy and you'll probably be taking the owner or winemaker's own time (usually no charge, but in some cases you'll need an appointment). Equally it'd be embarrassing to discover that the Grand Cru burg you're enjoying isn't going to come in at 5 euros.
Also think carefully about logistics. You don't want to be leaving wine roasting in the car all day, which means planning around hotels (air con!) becomes important. I've found that Beaune makes a good base in the north (and very easy to drop into champagne houses on the way back), but Bordeaux/Rhone can reached in a day.
that would be good, might be good to see it in person
Buy wine that is harder to get over here?
yes and no, depends on the wine and if I like it, some wine over here is just horrible, but some is very nice, so would like to see and poss taste a range
Buy wine cheaper than over here?
not necessarily, if its cheap and good thats a plus but Im going with a not so small amount of money so i can get quite a few good bottles.
Do you have a typical price per bottle you'd be looking at?
I do, up to 15-20 for reds and whites but quite a bit more for bubbly, but could easily be more, just getting less bottles of it.
good idea with the air conned place to store it, it would be in an air conditioned boot of a car while it is in the car, so shouldnt be too bad.
And indeed would try to get appointments as the places I want to go to, just wanted some recommendations on places to go
I'm still slightly confused by what you want to achieve. What wine do you drink at the moment?
Given your suggested budget, you'd probably be better off signing up to the Times Wine Club or similar and getting some mixed boxes then working out what wines you prefer before making a trip.
Given your suggested budget, you'd probably be better off signing up to the Times Wine Club or similar and getting some mixed boxes then working out what wines you prefer before making a trip.
With such a broad brief, it's really tricky. Were it me, I'd be trying to get in to see producers I like and follow. As a starting point though you're probably best focussing on the larger producers who are better set up for visitors.
Burgundy is always tricky due to the small scale production. Unless you've got connections who can get you in to see specific producers, perhaps base in Beaune and aim for one of those who has a restaurant with tastings (Leflaive springs to mind).
Rhone, the big guys like Chapoutier and Jaboulet have open tasting rooms and will have wines in budget. Some of the smaller producers would be more interesting (I'd love to see Faurie's cellar first hand!) but I'm not sure how much success you'd have (and you'd need to choose carefully between producers of the trad/modern styles).
Bdx, never really looked into what's on offer here as I've never been able to make time whilst passing through, but have heard good things about the tour/tasting at La Tour Blanche (assuming you don't find sweet wines objectionable).
Champagne, the big houses generally run tours... can pretty much take your pick.
Daresay producers in other areas will be accommodating, but you'll need people to chime in with specific recommendations.
Just a thought: if you have a decent relationship with a wine merchant, consider calling in a favour or two in order to get some introductions made.
ETA: if you just want to visit vineyards, it's easy to find nice quiet spots just by driving around. Bread, some charcuterie and cheese = relaxing way to squander a couple of hours taking in the views.
Burgundy is always tricky due to the small scale production. Unless you've got connections who can get you in to see specific producers, perhaps base in Beaune and aim for one of those who has a restaurant with tastings (Leflaive springs to mind).
Rhone, the big guys like Chapoutier and Jaboulet have open tasting rooms and will have wines in budget. Some of the smaller producers would be more interesting (I'd love to see Faurie's cellar first hand!) but I'm not sure how much success you'd have (and you'd need to choose carefully between producers of the trad/modern styles).
Bdx, never really looked into what's on offer here as I've never been able to make time whilst passing through, but have heard good things about the tour/tasting at La Tour Blanche (assuming you don't find sweet wines objectionable).
Champagne, the big houses generally run tours... can pretty much take your pick.
Daresay producers in other areas will be accommodating, but you'll need people to chime in with specific recommendations.
Just a thought: if you have a decent relationship with a wine merchant, consider calling in a favour or two in order to get some introductions made.
ETA: if you just want to visit vineyards, it's easy to find nice quiet spots just by driving around. Bread, some charcuterie and cheese = relaxing way to squander a couple of hours taking in the views.
Edited by LooneyTunes on Thursday 18th April 21:28
To narrow it down a little you need to be aware of the differences between France and the UK re buying wine. France is the home of the Worlds best wine but its across a wide variety of areas and styles and very climate dependent.So the furthest North vinyards produce wine that is borderline for getting Red wine grapes ripe. Those areas that are closest to us in the UK are therefore White wine areas predominantly. Most northerly is Champagne and its an oddity. The grapes are not really ripe enough to make good still wine which is why it has evolved the Sparkling wines it has.Its expensive and tastings generally cost some money.
The next closest to us is the Loire Valley which is bountiful but has some oddities and the reds are thin and an acquired taste. However tastings are common (Degustation in French) and free and generally unlimited.An area like the Touraine produces heaps of good quality everyday dry white wine for very cheap prices.
More famous individual towns that you will have heard of not much further south are worth the visit but like Champagne , wine is expensive and tastings whilst common, often cost money. Towns to visit are Sancerre, Pouilly Sur Loire (Pouilly Fume) and , most recommended, Chablis.
The next area on the way south is the heart of Burgundy. The area known as the Cote D'Or (Golden slope). The worlds best dry white wine and some candidates for the worlds best red wine are made here but you'll need a big wallet and there's little value to be found. Still a buzz to walk through a vinyard like Le Montrachet looking at the neat rows of vines and realising the stuff they make there can cost £700 a bottle!!
To get good reds and avoid silly prices you need to get further south to South Burgundy or the Northern Rhone valley.
The best possible place to head to is The "Hammeau Du Vin" in Romaneche-Thorins, the home of the Negotiant firm, Georges Dubeouf.
Its in the Beaujolais which is a lovely area in itself but and its a very good visit with generous tastings always available.
Cru Beaujolais is very fine wine (Villages like Fleurie or Moulin-a-Vent) but they also sell St Veran and other white Burgundy. Beaujolais is effectively the southern part of the Burgundy Region.
As a visit its great, prices will be miles below what you're expecting and you can bring a real car full home with you with no problems from HMRC.
All major wine producing regions will offer tastings of all their wines and sell it directly to you for a lot less than it costs here but beware the more famous Towns with big reputations if you want value.
The next closest to us is the Loire Valley which is bountiful but has some oddities and the reds are thin and an acquired taste. However tastings are common (Degustation in French) and free and generally unlimited.An area like the Touraine produces heaps of good quality everyday dry white wine for very cheap prices.
More famous individual towns that you will have heard of not much further south are worth the visit but like Champagne , wine is expensive and tastings whilst common, often cost money. Towns to visit are Sancerre, Pouilly Sur Loire (Pouilly Fume) and , most recommended, Chablis.
The next area on the way south is the heart of Burgundy. The area known as the Cote D'Or (Golden slope). The worlds best dry white wine and some candidates for the worlds best red wine are made here but you'll need a big wallet and there's little value to be found. Still a buzz to walk through a vinyard like Le Montrachet looking at the neat rows of vines and realising the stuff they make there can cost £700 a bottle!!
To get good reds and avoid silly prices you need to get further south to South Burgundy or the Northern Rhone valley.
The best possible place to head to is The "Hammeau Du Vin" in Romaneche-Thorins, the home of the Negotiant firm, Georges Dubeouf.
Its in the Beaujolais which is a lovely area in itself but and its a very good visit with generous tastings always available.
Cru Beaujolais is very fine wine (Villages like Fleurie or Moulin-a-Vent) but they also sell St Veran and other white Burgundy. Beaujolais is effectively the southern part of the Burgundy Region.
As a visit its great, prices will be miles below what you're expecting and you can bring a real car full home with you with no problems from HMRC.
All major wine producing regions will offer tastings of all their wines and sell it directly to you for a lot less than it costs here but beware the more famous Towns with big reputations if you want value.
Edited by Dblue on Friday 19th April 22:08
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