The Auswine Forum

My wife and I are going to France in October and of course I have my mind set on going to either Burgundy or Bordeaux to experience the wine scene.

I would appreciate some advice on:

1. Of the two regions which is the better area to visit if I had to choose one from a wine experience perspective.
2. What villages are recommended.
3. A few wineries recommended.
4. How do the recent vintages rate?

cheers

Colin

Both Bordeau and Burgundy aren't as set up for wine touring as they are in Oz. There are certainly some wineries open for 'degustation' (tastings) in both regions, but to visit the smaller or more famous houses, you typically need an appointment. Some are harder to get an appointment than others (e.g., good luck getting into Leroy).

That said, I've been to Burgundy several times, and there are certainly many wineries you can visit and do tastings: 2 - 3 days of tasting easily, and that's without appointments. I usually stay near Beaune, as its central. But my favorite village is Chablis, a lovely little town where you can walk to about 20 wineries in the village area. Add a couple of nice restaurants, a walk in the grand cru vineyards, and it's a great 2 day stay.

The Rhone and Alsace are much easier regions in which to visit wineries. There, wine tourism is much more widespread, and most wineries are open for tasting without appointments (with a few exceptions). The Rhone is about a 3-4 hour drive from Burgundy. Chateauneuf du Pape is a great village for tasting some amazing wines; Gigondas and Vacqueyras are nice too. Several of the Cotes du Rhones-Villages are great places to visit too. Climbing up the Dentelles de Montmirail is a great hike with great views.

If you're mainly a red wine drinker, then you might not think about going to Alsace (about a 2-3 hour drive from Burgundy). But it's a magical place for wine touring, with beautiful scenery, wonderful wines and wineries and amazing restaurants. It's one of my favorite wine regions in the world.

I'd imagine in most regions the 2002 or 2003 vintage will be on offer for red wines, and mainly 2003 and 2004 for whites. But you'll get a range of wines from 2001 onwards. The 2002 Burgundies are outstanding, but mainly a bust in the Rhone (though they will probably pour both the 2002s and the much better 2003s there).

If Bordeaux is your destination, then many people go to St. Emilion. There are lots of wineries open there, although the quality isn't always high.

Wherever you go, I'm sure you'll have a great time! I just spent 3 weeks in South Australia/Victoria, and had a blast!

Colin,

I have it on good authority from a French colleague that '03 was an uncharacteristically hot and dry year in France (we were talking about Burgundy in particular, but he indicated conditions were nation wide). This should certainly make things interesting, suggesting that the fruit sourced may have been super concentrated (and possibly cooked?).

Please make sure you post a full travelogue on your return. I'd be very eager to hear about your experiences. I am attending a Burgundy tasting here in Christchurch in a fortnight, with focus on the '03 vintage, so I'll relay any updates from that.

Cheers,

All
Thanks for the advice, I am getting a picture now of what to expect and the anticipation is building. Notes on tour will be posted on return.

cheers Colin

Maximus wrote:Colin,

I have it on good authority from a French colleague that '03 was an uncharacteristically hot and dry year in France (we were talking about Burgundy in particular, but he indicated conditions were nation wide). This should certainly make things interesting, suggesting that the fruit sourced may have been super concentrated (and possibly cooked?).

Please make sure you post a full travelogue on your return. I'd be very eager to hear about your experiences. I am attending a Burgundy tasting here in Christchurch in a fortnight, with focus on the '03 vintage, so I'll relay any updates from that.

Cheers,

Colin
There have been some suggestions that some of the lesser properties have made good wines in 2003 ("ripe for once" is the sarcastic view), whilst some great properties have struggled. As ever this is I'm sure an over-generalisation, but would be interested in whether this is borne out at the tasting.
Ian

Colin,

I attended the '03 Burgundy tasting last night and have posted my notes on a new thread.

Cheers,

Go to burgundy, much more attractive part of the world, you can skip down to the rhone in no time.

For my money bordeaux is a bit of a dump,

cheers

Burgundy for scenery, Bordeaux region for superior red wines. If in Burgundy, stay a night or two at Vezelay. You will not be disappointed.

If you choose Bordeaux, take a day to drive around the Sauternes area. It doesn't take long! The Ciron River (creek in our parlance) provides a unique sub-climate conducive to sugar content. We stayed at ZChateau du Commarque in 1997. It might be worth investigating. Has a restaurant and eccentric digs.

John B