3 wine tours to try in France

Fancy you know a thing or two about wine? Or maybe you’d like to learn? A guided visit to France’s vineyards is sure to delight all oenophiles, whatever your level of knowledge. Here are just three of the many tour operators waiting to welcome you into this fascinating world…

GRAPE ESCAPES

The passionate team of wine-lovers at Grape Escapes have been taking people to France’s finest wine regions since 2004, offering high-quality, good-value holidays in a friendly atmosphere. Their Wine and Gastronomy packages pair the best local wines with exceptional regional cuisine, often featuring Michelin-starred dining experiences. Choose an organised tour, such as the 9 Michelin Stars Gastronomic Tour, which spans Champagne, Burgundy and the Rhône Valley, offering guests the opportunity to savour world-class cuisine at places such as Maison Pic in Valence, or work with the team to create your own bespoke itinerary that reflects your interests.

grapeescapes.net

CRITERION WINE TOURS

Criterion Wine Tours is renowned for its passion for wine and love of travel, meaning it’s well placed to create wine tours that are unique, memorable and affordable. The team, led by wine expert Christos Ioannou, combines world-class knowledge of France with a deep-rooted experience in the wine trade, meaning all of the tours are meticulously crafted to give the visitor the best all-round experience. You’ll visit the best châteaux, estates and vineyards in the country and meet winemakers keen to share their passion and savoir-faire with you. Criterion offers tours across the whole of France, from the Loire to Alsace and from Champagne to Languedoc, so you can rest assured you’ll see the best-known sights as well as unearthing the best-kept secrets of France’s wine country.

criterionwinetours.com

SMOOTHRED

SmoothRed is a boutique wine tour agency set up in 2004 by Adam Stebbings, who comes from a family with roots in the wine industry dating back six generations. The team creates tailor-made experiences, combining luxury travel experiences with insider wine industry knowledge. SmoothRed’s latest tour invites visitors to the south of France on the Gourmet Picpoul Wine Experience, highlighting tantalising pairings with Picpoul de Pinet, an increasingly popular alternative to Sauvignon Blanc, which is grown on the Mediterranean’s coastal slopes.

smoothred.com

Looking for more French food and drink content?

In our magazine we offer a whirlwind tour of the best gastronomic destinations. Discover La Belle France’s renowned markets, quirkiest food festivals, most indulgent restaurants and foodie experiences.

Lead photo credit : © GRAPE ESCAPES, CRITERION WINE TOURS