May 13, 2019
France is one of the world’s leading wine producers and home to some of the best red, white and sparkling wine varieties. Visit centuries old chateaux, stroll through historic vineyards and sample some of the best wines in France, while discovering picturesque and charming settings. Here are four top wine regions to add to your itinerary on your next visit to France.
Saint-Émilion
The ancient wine growing region of Saint-Émilion, situated in the Bordeaux wine region of France has a long history dating back to Roman times. Taking its name from a Benedictine Monk called Emilian who lived in a cave from AD750, today Saint-Émilion, is one of the largest wine producing regions in Bordeaux.
Celebrate the 2,000-year history of wine by enjoying a glass at the estate of Château de la Rivière. Set upon 65 hectares, this magnificent castle was first built in 1577 and has since been restored in the 19th century. The bottled wines are perfectly preserved in perfect conditions within the man-made cellars, three hectares wide dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
Pair your Château de la Rivière with meat dishes such as roast chicken, pork, lamb, duck and game, as well as with Asian dishes like tuna, mushrooms and pasta.
The marvellous Médoc wine route
Take a trip along the Médoc wine route, also known as the D2 or the Castles Route and you will be pleasantly surprised by what you will find. Running from Bordeaux up and along the Médoc peninsula, admire the breathtaking scenery and spot stunning castles along the way.
One such winery not to miss is the truly enchanting Château d’Agassac, set in the spectacular surrounds of the Médoc countryside, just 15 minutes from Bordeaux. Covering 43 hectares, Château d’Agassac is one of the oldest winemaking establishments in the region, with much of the original chateau built in the 16th and 17th centuries still remaining.
For dinner parties at its best, pair your Château d’Agassac wine with Asian dishes, pasta and cheese.
Sauternes
For sweeter, white wines, head to the commune of Sauternes in Gironde in south-western France, just 40km from Bordeaux. This wine region is renowned for its sweet white dessert wines as well as some dry white wine.
Enjoy a visit to the Grand Cru Class estate of Château Myrat for a tasting. Dating back to the 1700s, the chateau was constructed by the Demerit family, which gave the estate its name. Covering 30 hectares, the estate is made up of 22 hectares of vine and 8 hectares of beautiful landscaped parkland. Known for its younger wines, due to the entire vineyard being fully replanted in 1988, you can find Semillion, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle planted here.
Alternatively, whilst in the Sauternes region of France, be sure to visit Château Guiraud for a tasting of their prestigious dessert wines.
Burgundy
Whilst in France, be sure to discover the Burgundy wine region, situated in central-eastern France, close to the city of Dijon. Here you can find some of the world’s most expensive wines, with Grand Cru, a classification reserved for only the best vineyards.
Covering 60 hectares of vines, the estate of Château Meursault is perfectly positioned in the heart of Burgundy in the Côte de Beaune region. Dating back to the 11th century, more recently the estate has been extended and the vineyards developed to become one of the most prestigious domains of the Côte-d’Or.
Underneath the Chateau and within the outbuildings you can find historic wine cellars from the 12th, 14th and 16th century, of which some were dug out by the Monks of Cîteaux and hold over 2,000 barrels and up to 700,000 bottles of wine.
Here you can taste some of the acclaimed wines from this premium estate, with some of the prestigious wines including Aloxe-Corton, Beaune, Pommard, Volnay and Meursault. Enjoy it best with white meats like roasted chicken, fish and shellfish.
Want more wine?
For greater immersion into wine, be sure to visit the Cité du Vin museum in Bordeaux for an interactive journey of wine discovery. Learn more about the history of wine, and of course, your visit wouldn’t be complete without a wine tasting or workshop.
