French blast - wine region

[lambojim]

Hi chaps, I pick up my new 997 C4S cab next week (cheers Dion) and have a couple of days (one night, two days to be precise) to 'exercise' the new motor. I wanted to do another trip to France - has anyone got any suggestions or recommendations as to where I should go?

I was thinking of heading to the Beaune area and picking up some nice bottles of Burgundy, perhaps staying at Hotel Le Cep, where Harry Metcalfe stayed with his Zonda in Evo this month.

I've got one night to spare so it's got to be within 6 or 7 hours of Calais, ideally pick up some nice wine and enjoy some nice roads - any ideas welcome.

James

[bund]

I think ill watch this thread with interest Jim and nick a few ideas.

[lambojim]

Nice GT3 mate, if it wasn't for the kids, I'd have one exactly like yours.
Bet you still fancy that 430 though??

[bund]

lambojim said:

Nice GT3 mate, if it wasn't for the kids, I'd have one exactly like yours.
Bet you still fancy that 430 though??

Ahhhhhh dont say it.... Im actually starting to lean towards a G cab but i didnt say that on this forum .

[magic torch]

Not a nice journey on the autoroutes. Take plenty of euros, unless you're well under the speed limit.

[lambojim]

I was planning on staying clear of the Autoroutes if I can

[magic torch]

Don't know the roads round there. Imagine it'd be a long day non-autoroute. Sorry I can't help.

[s3am]

The area around reims? Le Royal Champagne is a lovely hotel and there are some great roads around there?

[stefan1]

I can recommend Le Montrachet in Puligny Montrachet - a beautiful small hotel with a Michelin starred restaurant and of course some of the finest white wines money can buy. The roads nearby are wonderful. I'm heading there with some friends in a Gallardo and 993 TT in a few weeks.

Steve

[lambojim]

That's great, I'll check it out, thank you.
I'm assuming that there's loads of 'caves' to buy some nice cases of Mersault, Corton, Montrachet in the area?
I didn't want to go the the over priced tourists traps and get the crap wine if possible but I might end up doing exactly that.

Edited by lambojim on Friday 13th April 18:57

[peter_964rs]

I was in Burgundy on my way back from the South of France on Tuesday. Decided to stop off at Geverey-Chambertin for lunch as it seemed appropriate and an opportunity on the way back from exploring the wineries of Provence - Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Cairanne, Aix-en-Provence and so on.

It was dead. Nowhere except the posh restaurant open for lunch, nobody about, the place gray and flat and boring in comparison to the vibrant Southern villages.

Sorry! I just can't recommend it.

On the way down we stayed at the Chateau de Cocove (www.chateaudecocove.com/) which was easy to get to and quite nice, but close to Calais, and in previous trips I have also stayed at La Chartreuse (www.lachartreuse.com/) when racing at Croix and it was extremely nice, but books up very early.

For a short trip then I suggest you aim for Reims which is quite charming and not such a trek with less to see at the end of it.

Driving roads? Motorways and flat bits around there I'm afraid. Also, the route to/from Calais is peppered with Les Flics taking readings with their handheld radars. I am awaiting the flop of envelope on doormat now I have returned....

Or, spend more time and make it further down to the Route Napoleon near Grasse. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

[stefan1]

When we went last year we rang up the hotel beforehand, and they kindly sent through a wine list and we pre-ordered - it was all nicely boxed up and the wines were excellent (now all consumed ).

I am sure if you rang them they would also be able to tell which vineyards would be open for a visit.

Have fun.

Steve

[housemaster]

We did a similar trip, though somewhat longer and Hotel Le Cep was where I tried to get into on our way down, but we could not get a room. We stayed about 10 miles out of Beaune at Chateau de Gilly, and stayed in the House rather than the Chateau which was fantastic, as it has its own grounds and big 10ft high iron gates behind which you can park the motor! It is also moated and 2 stories about 300 yards from the Chateau. Very secluded but with full room service!

[SL Boy]

If you want to keep your car in one piece, don't use the valet parking service at the Hotel le Cep. A friend of mine stayed there and they broke the interior electric window switch and tried to fix it with impact adhesive. Made a heck of a mess. They also park cars so close together in the garage they have to brush past them to get out. Does wonders for the bodywork.

[lambojim]

cheers for that, you only get this type of thing on PH - nice one.
They've been over watching Ferris Bueller maybe

[triple7]

Found a great website for gorgeous chateau accomodation www.au-chateau.com/

Search under 'By Name' and check out the Château de Challain, awesome! In the Loire!

G

Edited by triple7 on Saturday 14th April 11:28

[lambojim]

Due to the impending birth of the second LamboJim Jr, I won't be with the Missus so the Chateaux's, although they look stunning, might be a bit romantic... thinking about heading towards the Sancerre / Pouilly region, about 5 hours from Calais and should be able to pick up a tan and some decent wine too.
Anymore suggestions welcome though.