Alsace is the smallest of the French regions, but is a region packed with culture, gastronomic delights and of course vineyards. Alsace blends modern European institutions and traditional Germanic cuisine and architecture. The wines of Alsace are all single varietal wines and the 4 noble varieties used in Alsace are Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir.
Beaujolais is a small area south of Burgundy which produces unique wines made from Gamay grapes. Stretching from South of Mâcon to roughly 50km north of the outskirts of Lyon, the area is full of small picturesque towns and quaint villages. The landscape has been carved by rivers flowing down to the Saône, creating valleys, hills and slopes now covered in vines.
Bordeaux is the 6th largest city in France and is located at the heart of arguably the world’s pre-eminent wine region. The very name Bordeaux conjures up images of grand Châteaux and equally grand wines. The region produces world class red wines from predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and dry and sweet white wines from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.
The famous region of Burgundy is located in central France and is the spiritual home of both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Renowned for centuries, not just for its wine, but for the quality of its cuisine, Burgundy has much to delight the visitor and the image of vines crammed onto every square foot of land around the villages of the Côte de Nuits will stay with you for years to come.
The region of Champagne, located just 45 minutes east of Paris, is home to the king of wines and the wine of kings. Champagne can only be produced in this region, and there are over 20,000 different Champagnes to sample. The city of Reims is the gateway to the region and home to both great cultural riches and gastronomic delights, whilst the quaint town of Epernay is the self proclaimed ‘wine capital of Champagne’.
Located in South-western France on one of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostella, Cognac is a pretty town on the river Charente, whose fate has been closely linked to that of the Liqueur of the Gods ever since the 17th Century. The region is a year-round destination and the passion and skill of the Cognac-makers combined with the prestige of the grand Cognac Houses make it an enticing destination.
The large region of Languedoc-Roussillon stretches across the south of France from the Rhone river all the way to the Pyrenees mountains and the border with Spain. It typically enjoys 300 days of sun each year and produces over a third of all French wine. Amongst the thousands of hectares of vines, there are a number of small, sub regions producing a range of very interesting wines
The river Loire flows for 629 miles across France and grapes are grown along its length. In particular, the vineyards around the cities of Tours, Saumur and Angers produce a wide range of exciting wines, while the village of Sancerre, around 100 miles to the east is a mecca for lovers of Sauvignon Blanc. In addition to the vineyards, this region is also home to some of the grandest historic chateaux in France.
Home to some of the most beautiful villages in the country, the stunning Provence region is characterised by picturesque scenery, flavoursome cuisine, and a truly laid-back way of life – best enjoyed with a glass of chilled rosé in hand. Whether you’re looking to relax in unspoilt countryside surroundings or you’re an adventure enthusiast, Provence has something for everyone.
Tucked away in France’s south-eastern corner, the Côte d’Azur is the idyllic coastline that neighbours Provence on its eastern and southern sides, making it the ideal destination to extend a wine holiday in Provence—or perhaps in combination with another of your favourite European wine regions.
The wine growing areas within the Rhône region cover approximately 200km, from Vienne in the north to Avignon in the south. The Northern Rhône region boasts many prestigious wine-making villages such as Hérmitage and Condrieu, with the city of Lyon in the north. The Southern Rhône is most famous for its big red wines; in particular the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape can be superb.
Ribera del Duero is a captivating destination for wine lovers seeking an authentic experience. Visiting Ribera del Duero with Grape Escapes offers a unique opportunity to delve into the heart of this celebrated wine region located just 90 minutes by road from Madrid. Immerse yourself in the region’s rich heritage, wander through picturesque vineyards, and savour exceptional wines.
La Rioja, located in northern Spain is a wine-making province which is bordered by the Basque country, Navarre, Aragón, and finally, Castilla y Léon. The Mediterranean climate provides hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Like its wine, the gastronomy of La Rioja makes it a notable Spanish region. Rioja is well-known in particularly for its fantastic Tempranillo wines.
Located along the Douro river estuary in northern Portugal, Porto (also known as Oporto) is Portugal’s second largest city. With over 150 classified monuments, it was registered as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1996. The Douro Valley is home to some of the world’s oldest vineyards; in fact, the Douro vineyards were the first in the world to be classified in 1756.
With a spectacular coastline bordered by limestone cliffs, pretty fishing villages serving up mouth-watering seafood, and an average 300 days of glorious sunshine per year, the south of Portugal is a coastal hotspot for global travellers – think the golden beaches of the south coast, endless vineyards of the Alentejo region, and the jewel in its crown: its vibrant capital city, Lisbon. Or, venture further afield to the island of Madeira to taste sweet, fortified wines with a rich history.
The Piedmont region is renowned for its UNESCO vineyards and delicious local products, such as wine, cheese, and truffles. For wine lovers, Piedmont is well-known for its fine red wines, with Barolo being the jewel of the crown. To be at its best, this robust and velvety wine should undergo a long period of ageing, similar to another of the region’s great wines, Barbaresco.
Located in central Italy, Tuscany is widely considered to be the true birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Not only is the region famed for its superb, Sangiovese based wines, Tuscany also boasts beautiful landscapes, a prestigious artistic and academic culture and unique gastronomic traditions. The cities of Florence and Siena are great bases from which to experience Tuscan life.
Fantastically fruity and fizzy, Prosecco sales are absolutely booming. This Italian sparkling wine is light and refreshing, and it is a popular choice for just about any occasion. The vineyards surrounding the tiny towns of Valdobbiadene and Vittorio Veneto make up the home of Prosecco. Picturesque and tranquil, we can arrange wine tours based in rural boutique hotels in the vineyards.
The Veneto region offers a wide range of wines and appellations, with perhaps the most famous being the Valpolicella. Valpolicella is a true hidden gem in the province of Verona. Just under 30 minutes’ drive from Verona and East of Lake Garda in North East Italy, the area is known as the “Pearl of Verona” and its name, a mixture of Latin and Greek, translates to “the valley of many cellars”.
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean. With a long history of settlers over the last 10,000 years the rich tapestry of Sicily’s past remains interwoven into the diversity of the landscape, architecture, wines and cuisine today.
We invite you to book a wine tour in Sicily and discover this most fascinating of islands for yourself.
Located in south-eastern Europe, in the north-western part of the Balkans peninsula, Croatia’s wines are perhaps Europe’s best kept secret. Croatia is believed to have the oldest continuously planted vineyard in the world and its wines are well worth a try. The country produces wine to suit every taste, from refreshing white wines, bold red wines, lovely rosé, sparkling wines and even sweet wines.
For those looking for a longer stay in Europe, we would strongly recommend combining two or more regions to create a fuller experience of the wines, culture and gastronomy of Europe. The team at Grape Escapes have travelled extensively in Europe, not just in the wine regions and can therefore recommend and arrange tailor-made tour extensions to other regions & cities.
