For centuries, France has been the holy land of wine–it is THE birthplace of modern wine making and serves as a model for wine production internationally. France produces between 7 to 8 billion bottles per year and has the second largest total vineyard area in the entire world (despite being a country that is only the size of Texas).
The French have been making, perfecting, and exporting their wines since the 6th century BCE, and the country has been associated with wine making since before the Roman times, which is why any vacation to France should probably involve at least a few stops at vineyards to do some wine tasting. Whether you go on an organized wine tasting tour, or simply want to stop by a few caves and sample different wines, some form of wine tasting should be a mandatory part of any French vacation.
What do I need to know before I go wine tasting in France?
Before you go wine tasting you may want to learn a little about French wine. Here are a couple of posts that should help.
Small vineyards may only accept visitors based on reservations. Calling several days in advance is a good idea. Larger vineyards and their cellars are open for the public and have standard opening hours.
How much does it cost to go wine tasting?
Generally a small fee is charged to taste the wine when you visit a vineyard. That’s standard at the larger establishments while smaller ones won’t charge anything but expect you to buy a bottle of wine.
Any other tips?
Although France just raised the legal drinking age from 16 to 18, this new law does not effect wine tasting. In France, as soon as a kid can hold a wine glass without breaking it they are usually drinking small amounts of wine at home with the family—so don’t be surprised when you go wine tasting and they pull out a glass for your 14 year-old daughter (this happened to me when I was with my parents).
When tasting, hold the glass by the stem, as you don’t want your body heat to influence the wine’s properties.
There is no need to drink the wine to fully appreciate it. It’s customary to save the drink for the last sample as it’s always from the winery’s best wine. If you are visiting a “true” cellar you can spit on the floor, otherwise you’ll find a bucket (called: “un crachoir”) for you to spit into. Personally, I think it’s the ultimate shame to spit out wine, but if you are stopping at many vineyards and don’t want to be hammered, I suppose this is a good idea.
How much do wine tours cost?
If you plan on doing an organized wine tasting tour, you should expect to pay out of the nose for it. Not that this should really surprise you, as wine certainly isn’t a cheap hobby and these vacations are geared towards the luxury end of the market.
Generally speaking, a one-week tour of the wine regions usually costs between €850 and €1000 per person. Packages usually include accommodation, meals, day trips and wine tasting activities.
If you are on a budget, you can always visit the vineyards and cellars on your own and pay a small fee to taste the wines. Also, there are some travel agencies which offer walking guided tours. You are given a booklet with all the instructions and you can enjoy the tour at your own pace. Prices are available on the agencies’ websites (generally on request).
When should I go wine tasting?
There is no season that is best for wine tasting in France, as wine drinking in France is definitely a year-round activity. That being said, there are festivals and events that make certain times of the year a particularly good time to head out to the vineyards.
September in France marks the beginning of harvest season and there are many festivals celebrating the harvest that are centered around wine. However, whether it be July in France or March in France, there will always be plenty of wine to taste in France.
If you are on a budget, it is easiest to get cheap airfare to France and better deals on hotels in France in the off season travel months (October-May).
Photo Attributions: Top photo from germeister’s flickr, photo of caves thanks to Chez Loulou
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The Loire has an excellent selection of red, white and rose wines. There are a lot of small producers who are a delight to visit and who are happy to give you their time. They do not charge, but it is polite to buy a few bottles of their wine. What better way to enjoy the wine – visit a vineyard and return to a comfortable gite (vacation home) to enjoy some of your delicious finds! After the vendage (September) the viticulteurs have time to discuss the harvest with you and the next year’s vintage so late September/October are good times to visit. We have good contacts for wine walks, introduction to wine and wine tours in the Loire Valley.
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