Oenotourism : how to make your itinerary ?

The group

With your family, friends, colleagues, etc. Organising a wine tourism weekendmeans above all knowing with whom you want to share a simple, convivial and warm moment. Whatever your number, you will find something to suit you: some estates welcome up to 50 people per session, others will receive you as a couple. Although the aim of the stay is to discover the world of the winegrower, children are welcome with workshops adapted to the youngest.

The region: Languedoc or South West?

You may be a Burgundy wine lover, but wine tourism is about discovering the French wine regions. So don't hesitate to choose regions you don't know well: why not go and taste the red wines of Provence or thewhite Bordeaux. More than just a visit to the cellars, you will be immersed in the land and the history of the region, and that's not to be underestimated!

South-West, Alsace, Rhône Valley, Jura, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Loire, Provence, Languedoc , Beaujolais or Corsica to name but a few, you are spoilt for choice!

The budget for a wine tourism stay

About 2 500€, this is the average expenditure for a wine tourism stay in France. Don't panic, you can build a much less expensive trip!

From a wine tasting at 5€/person to a 10-day wine tourism cruise at 4 230€, there is something for everyone. The advantage of wine tourism is that you can take advantage of estate prices, so be sure to bring back a few cases!

What means of transport?

There are several possibilities depending on the size of your group:

• The car, classic in family, which will allow you to go at your own pace in the wine regions.
• The bus, ideal for large groups (families or colleagues), the trip will be a little less personalized.
• The minibus, which is ideal for small groups (2 to 8 people) wishing to discover the secrets of the vineyards.
• The private driver, for the luckiest of us. No need to drive, you just have to watch!

What would you like to do?

There are a multitude of places to visit andoriginal or more classic activities to do to discover the winegrower's job and his world. With your family, your partner or your friends, you can taste, touch and smell the fruit of the vine.

The vineyard is a complex place: the type of soil, the plots, the sunshine make this place something magical and delicate. If you like being outdoors, this is the place for you!

The cellars are impressive. These basements sometimes house more than 5,000 barrels in which rest the elixir we love so much. Time seems to have stopped in these large rooms regulated between 11° and 12°.

The vinification studios are industrial places. The harvested grapes are transformed into juice to be fermented. Factory atmosphere and yeast smells, it is the step not to be missed to understand how wine is made.

The wine

There are several ways of cultivating the vine and as many ways of thinking about the profession. Depending on your preferences, you can appreciate the world of biodynamic,natural or classicconventional wine.

Are you a red wine lover from Bordeaux? Don't hesitate to leave your comfort zone and visit a wine region known for its white wines, where the red wines are surely very interesting. If you want to deepen your knowledge of a particular region, diversify your experience thanks to the different production methods!

The period

You have to keep in mind that you will not see the same things in a vineyard in September and in February. Yes, until July, you will not see grapes in the vineyards, only flowers and leaves. From September to October, it's harvest time and it's a golden opportunity to see the vines in effervescence. You have all the cards in your hand now, so get to your diaries!

Lucas Chartier