Burgundy Wine Day
Champagne:
Region
Burgundy is an area of gently rolling hills on the eastern periphery of the Massif Central. It is here that the central plateau meets with the gentle slopes of the Jura. The fertile soil of the valley in between has been planted with vines since the Romans’ conquest. Many of the names wine drinkers associate with France come from Burgundy. - Chablis, Beaujolais, Macon, Cote de Beaune, Cote d’Or and here are the famous wine centers of Dijon, Beaune, Macon and the Cote-d’Or. The northern portions, known as Lower Burgundy, produce little wine but have ornate Renaissance chateaux, spectacular monastic architecture and charming medieval towns.
The territory of Burgundy was conquered by Caesar in the Gallic Wars, but in the 4th century Roman power declined and the country was invaded by Germanic tribes. In c. 480 AD it was conquered by the Burgundii, a Germanic tribe who had settled in the Savoy Alps after losing their kingdom on the Rhine to the Huns. It was they who accepted Christianity and formed the First Kingdom of Burgundy.
Beaune
Beaune is the logical place to stay during a longer wine pilgrimage to the Cote d’Or and is actually the most visited city in Burgundy. It contains the headquarters of many well-respected Burgundy wine dealers in addition to grand historic sites and gourmet restaurants.
Hotel-Dieu is the treasure of Beaune, a ‘medieval jewel’, with its superb multi-colored Burgundian roof tiles. It was originally a hospice founded by the chancellor, Nicolas Rolin, and his wife in 1443 to help the inhabitants of Beaune who were suffering the effects of poverty and famine after the Hundred Years’ War. It now also houses the Museum of Wine of Burgundy.
Dijon
Dijon, former capital of the Dukes of Burgundy, is a town steeped in history with a rich architectural legacy and easy direct access from Paris by TGV train in 90 muntes. Lying at the gates of the famous vineyards of the ‘Cote de Nuits’, Dijon is one of the glories of the French gastronomic tradition and an ideal place to start a wine tour.
Macon
South of the Cote d'Or is the lesser-known Cote Chalonnaise and the Macon region. Macon vineyards use Chardonnay grapes and you will probably find as good wines as those on the Cote d'Or. Most wines from here carry the Macon appellation but 36 villages have the right to call themselves Macon-Villages or just "e Macon ". The most famous of these is the dry, soft Pouilly-Fuisse wine.
Wine Tours in Burgundy
Allow yourself to learn the complexity of a region through taste, texture and smell: take it all in and awaken your senses
Take the TGV from Paris at about 8:00am and arrive in Dijon where you private wine expert will pick you up at the station.
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Private Wine Tours
You will take the TGV from Paris at about 8:00am and arrive in Dijon where you private wine expert will pick you up at the station.
more details
In the morning, get will get a first hand view and explanation of the prestigious Grand Cru vineyards of the Cote de Nuits while familiarizing you with the intricacies of the terroirs along the way. You'll visit of the Chateau du Clos de Vougeot
and then do wine your first tasting at a local winery with introduction to wine tasting techniques, the wine appellation system and its crus.
Allow yourself to learn the complexity of a region through taste, texture and smell: take it all in and awaken your senses!
Sample itinerary.
You will take the TGV from Paris at about 8:00am and arrive in Dijon where you private wine expert will pick you up at the station.
In the morning, get will get a first hand view and explanation of the prestigious Grand Cru vineyards of the Cote de Nuits while familiarizing you with the intricacies of the terroirs along the way. You'll visit of the Chateau du Clos de Vougeot
and then do wine your first tasting at a local winery with introduction to wine tasting techniques, the wine appellation system and its crus
The lunch at a local bistro in the historical city centre of Beaune. Stroll down the cobble stone roads for a visit of the Hotel Dieu, one of the oldest regional landmarks.
Pommard, Meursault and Puligny Montrachet on the southern slopes await you in the afternoon and our day will come to an end after a memorable tasting at the Chateau de Chassagne Montrachet.
Then transfer back to the train station or hotel
Simply put, an intimate sensory experience for the discerning traveler. We can of course customize the day to include specific vineyards and experiences like ballooning, horse riding or biking.
Exclusive and private, fully escorted with a high attention to detail, this tour includes:
* Local bilingual French English guide
* Transportation
* Lunch
* Museum entrance fees
* Wine tastings
* Round Trip TGV
* Taxes
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Scheduled Chablis Wine Tours
Visit to a wine cellar and tasting at Chablis. Lunch included (except drinks). Guided tour of the Basilica at Vezelay. Free time in Vezelay. Itinerary in coach during the day and pick-up & drop-off in minivan included.
more details
160€pp
The Burgundy region offers a natural, rich in both history and especially in art. Since ancient times, its geographical position brought great prosperity which as its famous wines magnified during the Middle Ages. Region of famous abbeys, departure point for crusades and pilgrimage centre, Burgundy has attracted the crowds and political figureheads throughout the centuries.
We are going to discover two aspects.
After leaving the Southern highway, we reach the Serein valley at Chablis, surrounded by vineyards: visit to the Michel Laroche cellar and taste the white wine, one of the world's best.
Lunch in Chablis (drinks not included).
Continue to Vezelay, &the eternal hill&, village classified by UNESCO as one of its cultural heritage sites! Guided visit of the basilica dedicated to Saint Marie-Madeleine, centre of Romanesque architecture and sculpture, which keeps some relics of the Saint.
Free time to stroll browse around the village and opportunity of tasting some red wines of Burgundy before returning to Paris. Entrance tickets included. Entrance tickets included.
