Benchmarks for dry white wine lovers the world over, why not combine your love of these world class wines by taking an extending stay in the French countryside. The regions are only 120km apart and easily accessible from Paris by train. Both towns share a wine-growing heritage which goes back to Roman times although it was the early medieval monastic orders who recognised the quality of these wines as far back as the 9th Century. Both regions owe the character found in their wines to the rocky limestone slopes and cool climate which very much suit both the sauvignon and chardonnay grape varieties.

This 1-day Chablis wine tour will introduce you to one of the world’s most famous white wines, as well the nearby but lesser-known wine-growing districts of the Auxerrois. Formerly France's largest wine-growing district, traditions are still very strong here in the Yonne department of northern Burgundy and it's in the coolness of ancient wine cellars that you will taste and learn about the excellent wines produced here. And red wine lovers do not despair, since the sleepy villages of Irancy, Coulanges la Vineuse, Epineuil and the nearby slopes of Auxerre are gaining a great reputation for the quality of their superb value-for-money pinot noirs!

The Chablis wine tour is the perfect introduction to northern Burgundy and its wines. The history of wine-growing here goes back to the Gallo-Romain period, the vestiges of which is found in the name of a rare local grape variety, the Cesar, as well as in the wine-harvest scenes and vines sculpted in the bas-reliefs discovered during archaeological digs.

During your trip with us you will learn, amongst many other things, all about the history of winemaking in the Chablis, and especially the essential role played by the Cistercian monks from the nearby Abbey of Pontigny in developing the vineyards and improving viticultural techniques. Further more you will be introduced to the different “terroirs” that produce the diversity of styles of wines so that you gain a better understanding of the influence of of soil composition in the development of aromas and style of wine. It will also be your opportunity to gain insights into vineyard techniques such as canopy management and pruning as well as the fascinating subject of organic, biodynamic and natural wine-making techniques which are gaining favour with producers and consumers alike.

During the course of the day with us, your trip will also be a cultural experience as you will learn about the rich history of one France's most fascinating regions. And time permitting, a stop in the stunning village of Noyers-sur-Serein will transport you back to the glory of medieval Burgundy and the great Dukes!

These tours really are the perfect introduction to the world-class Sauvignon blanc wines of the Central Loire Valley as they focus on the vineyards either side of the river Loire roughly 200km south-west of Paris. Here the predominantly limestone soils and semi-continental climate make this home to some of the finest Sauvignon blanc wines in the world, with household names such as Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé being the best known. However you will also discover some rare wines from more recently created appellations such as the Coteaux du Giennois or Menetou Salon where a handful of wine-growers produce delightful, excellent value-for-money Sauvignon blanc wines.

And red wine lovers, please do not despair, as the region also produces some great pinots, especially from around Sancerre where some 20% of the production is still dedicated to cultivating this varietal.

The great river Loire is omnipresent here and its proximity to Sancerre and Pouilly-sur-Loire not only provided an important route for the transportation of the region's wines, it also creates a micro-climate favorable for the production of great wines.

During your Sancerre wine tasting tour, you will learn, amongst many other things, all about the history of winemaking in the Sancerre and Pouilly sur Loire appellations, the essential role played by the medieval monastic orders in developing the vineyards and perfecting wine growing techniques. Throughout the day with us you will also find out about the influence of soil composition in the development of aromas and style of wine and the different “terroirs” that produce the diversity of styles of Sauvignon blanc wines.

You will discover a truly authentic, unspoiled wine-growing regions of Chablis and Sancerre; beautiful landscapes and timeless villages, fashioned by the hands of generations of wine-growers passionate about their work and concerned with maintaining and passing on their age-old knowledge.

And of course, we offer a very unique service as we can assist in organising the shipment of your favourite wines from the vineyard to your very doorstep !

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A must try French wine tour for lovers of Chardonnay!