Ladies and Gentlemen.
I'm doing a very last minute and unfortunately poorly organised trip to Italy and France in April. I'm quite familiar with the wineries of Barolo and Barbaresco but utterly lacking knowledge of Burgundy and Rhone etc.
I'll be in Lyon from April 14-16 and then in Beaune from April 17-20 and will have a hire car, so travelling reasonable distances isn't an issue.
Could I trouble those with greater knowledge and perhaps personal experience for a few winery recommendations that I could contact to ask if they would be generous enough to allow a visit.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated as it's quite an exciting opportunity for me.
Cheers
Dave
Advice please - Wineries in the Lyon to Beaune region
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rosewaterwrx
- Posts: 85
- Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2010 6:20 pm
Re: Advice please - Wineries in the Lyon to Beaune region
Well, the two closest regions from Lyon would be the Rhone to the south and Beaujolais to the north. It depends on what style of wine you like more.
The northern Rhone region is of course known for syrah, and is a great place to visit (and an increasing popular place). It would be the closest place to visit from Lyon. You have to make appointments in almost every winery though, except for some of the larger houses. Chapoutier, for example, has an excellent cellar door in Tain L'Hermitage. I think Delas Freres also has a cellar door that is open regularly too. The smaller producers will usually require appointments, and you can usually find their contact information on the Internet. Some of the very top producers require a wholesaler or importer contact, and are tougher to get. But I think this region would be your best bet.
Beaujolais is another beautiful region that is more slowly becoming increasingly popular. I haven't been, so don't know about visiting wineries here. I would think appointments are necessary, as most producers are rather small. Gamay of course is the main grape here, and the prices are much lower than in the Rhone, and it is less touristy.
The southern Rhone would be a bit of a drive from Lyon, but might be an option, given that appointments are not necessary at most producers in Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueras, Tavel, etc. I think it would be about 2 hours from Lyon to CDP, for example.
The northern Rhone region is of course known for syrah, and is a great place to visit (and an increasing popular place). It would be the closest place to visit from Lyon. You have to make appointments in almost every winery though, except for some of the larger houses. Chapoutier, for example, has an excellent cellar door in Tain L'Hermitage. I think Delas Freres also has a cellar door that is open regularly too. The smaller producers will usually require appointments, and you can usually find their contact information on the Internet. Some of the very top producers require a wholesaler or importer contact, and are tougher to get. But I think this region would be your best bet.
Beaujolais is another beautiful region that is more slowly becoming increasingly popular. I haven't been, so don't know about visiting wineries here. I would think appointments are necessary, as most producers are rather small. Gamay of course is the main grape here, and the prices are much lower than in the Rhone, and it is less touristy.
The southern Rhone would be a bit of a drive from Lyon, but might be an option, given that appointments are not necessary at most producers in Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueras, Tavel, etc. I think it would be about 2 hours from Lyon to CDP, for example.
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Mark Carrington
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 6:58 pm
Re: Advice please - Wineries in the Lyon to Beaune region
It’s a bit of a haul to Northern Rhône from Lyon (let alone Southern). I visited a handful in NR. The following all tricky to obtain an appointment but worthwhile M & S Ogier Côte Rôtie, Vincent Paris Corna (English spoken at both); Pierre Gonon St Joseph, Bernard Gripa v. close by - excellent wines, but unengaging.
If venturing south the Maison in Gigondas is a good cheat.
Beaujolais is tricky: over the years I’ve struggled to obtain appointments-quite a few decline to reply. We had a superb visit at Jadot/Clos des Jacques.
Burgundy offers plenty of opportunities. The superstars are virtually inaccessible but if you don’t ask.......La Revue du Vin de France on-line will give indications as to who accepts appointments.
I’ve visited the following on multiple occasions -all need an appointment. Two Aussies making wine in Côre d’Or: Mark Haisma & Le Grappin (Andrew Nielsen), they are not permanently based in Burgundy. Gachot-Monot, Dubreil-Fontaine & Domaine de l’Arlot.(English definitely spoken at the 1st/3rd). For the latter you can increase you chances by offering to join other visitors (it will only be a handful of people). In Beaune there are the negociants. Jadot an excellent visit - appointment necessary.
Burgundy is a magical place & we’re next there from Easter. Not been there but Colombier wine bar is strongly recommended by the locals. And Le Soufflot in Meursault has the best wine list of in the region- the food’s OK but if Google the list your see the prices & why it’s worth going.
If venturing south the Maison in Gigondas is a good cheat.
Beaujolais is tricky: over the years I’ve struggled to obtain appointments-quite a few decline to reply. We had a superb visit at Jadot/Clos des Jacques.
Burgundy offers plenty of opportunities. The superstars are virtually inaccessible but if you don’t ask.......La Revue du Vin de France on-line will give indications as to who accepts appointments.
I’ve visited the following on multiple occasions -all need an appointment. Two Aussies making wine in Côre d’Or: Mark Haisma & Le Grappin (Andrew Nielsen), they are not permanently based in Burgundy. Gachot-Monot, Dubreil-Fontaine & Domaine de l’Arlot.(English definitely spoken at the 1st/3rd). For the latter you can increase you chances by offering to join other visitors (it will only be a handful of people). In Beaune there are the negociants. Jadot an excellent visit - appointment necessary.
Burgundy is a magical place & we’re next there from Easter. Not been there but Colombier wine bar is strongly recommended by the locals. And Le Soufflot in Meursault has the best wine list of in the region- the food’s OK but if Google the list your see the prices & why it’s worth going.
Last edited by Mark Carrington on Mon Apr 01, 2019 8:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Advice please - Wineries in the Lyon to Beaune region
We do enjoy the whites of Pouilly-Fuisse (and surrounding appellations) and with crazy price escalation to the north, couple with P.Ox (which we've never encountered in Macon wines) this has become the only white burg we ever buy now. Plenty of good producers, but a good word for Ch.Fuisse whose marketing manager hosted a tasting for us in fine English, but without any marketing b*llshit. Also Jean Rijckhaert worth considering, as he has wines from the Macon and Jura. He's a very charming gentleman, and we stayed overnight in his and his wife's Chambre d'Hotes (details below)
Chambre d'hôtes Rijckaert
Address Correaux, Leynes, 71570 France
Phone +33385351509
Email jean@rijckaert.fr
This location is great for Beaujolais as well, as it's literally the other side of the hill that the rooms look out over. We didn't taste in Bojo, but we did have a wonderful meat at Le Coq et le Rose in Julienas which was a very short drive away. Great food and the most impressive front of house with the lady seemingly raising the briefest of eyebrows to direct her staff to the tables when needed.
Chambre d'hôtes Rijckaert
Address Correaux, Leynes, 71570 France
Phone +33385351509
Email jean@rijckaert.fr
This location is great for Beaujolais as well, as it's literally the other side of the hill that the rooms look out over. We didn't taste in Bojo, but we did have a wonderful meat at Le Coq et le Rose in Julienas which was a very short drive away. Great food and the most impressive front of house with the lady seemingly raising the briefest of eyebrows to direct her staff to the tables when needed.