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How To Choose The Best France Wine Tours

By Olivia Cross


Wine making is an ancient practice in France. Their vineyards have been developed for well over a thousand years with devotion to cultivating high quality grapes. Whether you are a novice in wine appreciation or something of a connoisseur France wine tours offer a plethora of options to learn more about our favorite beverage.

It is estimated that there are around twenty seven thousand producers in the country and they are spread over the regions, except the most northerly ones. Some regions are particularly renowned for one type of wine, Champagne, for example. However, in general every area has a mixture and includes small producers and large commercial operations.

French wines are often classified by region rather than grape variety as in the rest of the world. Producers are very proud of the traditions of their area and will be keen to talk about that with visitors. You will hear lots about "terroir" which links the style of wine to the type of soil the grapes were grown in.

It is important to decide which time of year to visit as some months are basically out of bounds. The period of blending, when the previous years harvest is bottled is a very busy one for producers and they do not accept visitors. Then there are tastings by professionals when the world's experts descend to judge the quality of that year's crop. Check with tour agents before booking to avoid disappointment.

Many consider Bordeaux to be the perfect region for the first-timer. It has tons of vineyards producing a huge range of wines. The soil of the area is famed for its variety and quality. For someone who want to learn about how production and cultivation affects the taste of the product Bordeaux is perfect. It also has a wine school which hosts classes for novices and has longer courses teaching the technical aspects of wine making.

The Loire Valley has many attractions for the visitor. In terms of wine it is home to many grape varieties, Muscadet, Sancerre and Chenin Blanc are just a few . The Loire is also a popular holiday destination for its history, chateaus, Gothic cathedrals and cultural sites. It is an area of outstanding beauty affording plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, camping and natural history.

Viticulture, as we have said, has a long and interesting history in France. Many tours are planned to reflect this and have staff who have broad knowledge and lots of contacts in the wine world. They offer a range of tours from budget packages to bespoke trips which are designed for you. Either way they always include a decent guide and several trips to different vineyards where you an sample a range of wines.

Wine tours are an increasingly popular way to enjoy a region of the world known for its fine food, traditional production and picturesque villages. France is a large country with much to offer the visitor. Tour are usually organised by region so check out where your favorite types of wine are made and head in that direction.




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