Hidden amidst the hills in the south of France lies Provence, winegrower's heaven that vacationers should visit. If you are planning a vacation in France, add Provence to your list of places to visit. There are 60 winegrowers in the "Ctes de Provence," a region that is small, beautiful, part of the departments of the Var, and part of the Bouches-du-Rhne area.
Indigo sky, azure sea and miles of sandy white beaches are the signature of an area that will welcome you with the beauty of limestone cliffs, ancient villages and miles of sharp, scented pine trees that not only provides shelter but heighten the feeling of tranquility with crystal clear lakes and lazy, winding rivers.
Whichever accommodation you choose, from bustling, crowded cityscapes complete with modern conveniences to a old world country house filled with 17th and 18th century antiques, Provence will fill your days with sunshine and warmth, and your nights with lush vegetation scented with jasmine, wild thyme and lavender.
Perhaps because of the breathtaking beauty of the Mediterranean Sea and the abundance of tourist attractions found in Nice, Cannes, and elsewhere along the French Riviera, companies that offer traditional wine tasting tours, in spite of the excellence of its wines, often overlook Provence.
2600 years ago, Phoenicians came to France and built the first of many vineyards to honor their god, Bacchus who is the god of wine. A legacy was left behind, that of full-bodied wines that possess a fullness and sparkle as rich as the vineyards they are grown in.
Provence, like all places in the Mediterranean, is bursting with warm, friendly people who have spontaneity of life and a "joie de vivre." It doesn't take long to discover that these master oenologists or winemakers are more than happy to introduce you to their wine cellars and wines that have made them famous as well as share a bit of history about the region.
If you are very lucky, and your host is in the right mood, he might even share some closely guarded secrets of how to blend the right food with exactly the right wine, something that most French winegrowers are passionate about!
Winemaking all throughout France is a serious business. It is the same in Provence where winegrowers have won awards and the prestigious "AOC" designation (Appellation d'Origine Controlee) on their bottles of wines. This is one of the highest awards available in French winegrowing, and it guarantees the buyer that the wine is an appellation wine. Winegrowers must pass tests and rigorous inspections.
This is a truly prestigious and coveted award, as only the Ministry of Agriculture in Paris can bestow the title of an AOC on a wine.
Beyond the label, the first sip will tell you that Ctes de Provence winegrowers are experts in winemaking as it is a delicious sip you will not soon forget. They use traditional methods of harvesting and bottling their wines, and their abiding respect for the soil, climate, and diversity of grapes they use reflects in the excellence in quality and taste of the finished product.
Provence is situated in the heart of winemaking country at the "Maison des Ctes de Provence" which boasts and outstanding selection of appellation wines.
If you are not worried about the thickness of your waist (or your wallet), a visit to the four-star restaurant the "Bacchus Gourmand" is a must, where you can savor real Provencal cuisine accompanied (of course) by the perfect bottle of a Ctes de Provence wine.
You can taste home-cooked meal, try out one of the out of the way cafes that are tucked on the narrow side streets of any villages, and your chef who is most times also your host will be happy to recommend a wine to you.
During your tour you can arrange to take a wine tasting course at one of the vineyards where you will learn a complete understanding of wine: its robe (color), its bouquet (perfume), its body (strength) and everything you need to know about service, conservation etc.
A visit to Provence and a tour of some of these wonderful vineyards and wineries -- and taking home a bottle or two -- will be an experience to remember.
Indigo sky, azure sea and miles of sandy white beaches are the signature of an area that will welcome you with the beauty of limestone cliffs, ancient villages and miles of sharp, scented pine trees that not only provides shelter but heighten the feeling of tranquility with crystal clear lakes and lazy, winding rivers.
Whichever accommodation you choose, from bustling, crowded cityscapes complete with modern conveniences to a old world country house filled with 17th and 18th century antiques, Provence will fill your days with sunshine and warmth, and your nights with lush vegetation scented with jasmine, wild thyme and lavender.
Perhaps because of the breathtaking beauty of the Mediterranean Sea and the abundance of tourist attractions found in Nice, Cannes, and elsewhere along the French Riviera, companies that offer traditional wine tasting tours, in spite of the excellence of its wines, often overlook Provence.
2600 years ago, Phoenicians came to France and built the first of many vineyards to honor their god, Bacchus who is the god of wine. A legacy was left behind, that of full-bodied wines that possess a fullness and sparkle as rich as the vineyards they are grown in.
Provence, like all places in the Mediterranean, is bursting with warm, friendly people who have spontaneity of life and a "joie de vivre." It doesn't take long to discover that these master oenologists or winemakers are more than happy to introduce you to their wine cellars and wines that have made them famous as well as share a bit of history about the region.
If you are very lucky, and your host is in the right mood, he might even share some closely guarded secrets of how to blend the right food with exactly the right wine, something that most French winegrowers are passionate about!
Winemaking all throughout France is a serious business. It is the same in Provence where winegrowers have won awards and the prestigious "AOC" designation (Appellation d'Origine Controlee) on their bottles of wines. This is one of the highest awards available in French winegrowing, and it guarantees the buyer that the wine is an appellation wine. Winegrowers must pass tests and rigorous inspections.
This is a truly prestigious and coveted award, as only the Ministry of Agriculture in Paris can bestow the title of an AOC on a wine.
Beyond the label, the first sip will tell you that Ctes de Provence winegrowers are experts in winemaking as it is a delicious sip you will not soon forget. They use traditional methods of harvesting and bottling their wines, and their abiding respect for the soil, climate, and diversity of grapes they use reflects in the excellence in quality and taste of the finished product.
Provence is situated in the heart of winemaking country at the "Maison des Ctes de Provence" which boasts and outstanding selection of appellation wines.
If you are not worried about the thickness of your waist (or your wallet), a visit to the four-star restaurant the "Bacchus Gourmand" is a must, where you can savor real Provencal cuisine accompanied (of course) by the perfect bottle of a Ctes de Provence wine.
You can taste home-cooked meal, try out one of the out of the way cafes that are tucked on the narrow side streets of any villages, and your chef who is most times also your host will be happy to recommend a wine to you.
During your tour you can arrange to take a wine tasting course at one of the vineyards where you will learn a complete understanding of wine: its robe (color), its bouquet (perfume), its body (strength) and everything you need to know about service, conservation etc.
A visit to Provence and a tour of some of these wonderful vineyards and wineries -- and taking home a bottle or two -- will be an experience to remember.
About the Author:
A new wine cellar is not only a useful thing for storing your wine but an investment. Next time before you purchase a home wine cellars Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service
No comments:
Post a Comment