Want to explore the French vineyards? Why not do it in a different way or at a gentle pace? Fancy riding a horse through vineyards in the shadow of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountain, or cycling along the classified grand crus of the Bordeaux Wine Route, or enjoy a gourmet picnic in the vineyards of the Loire Valley. Here are four surprising and close to nature ways to discover the French vineyards.
Discover the vineyards of Provence on horseback
In the shadow of the majestic mountain of Ventoux, its immense neighbour, the Dentelles de Montmirail massif, in Provence, is an absolute treasure for lovers of wide open spaces. Discover it on horseback with the Rhonea winemakers. Between sharp ridges, pretty villages like La Roque Alric clinging to the rock-face, and lush vines lined up in tight formation, the land gradually reveals its secrets. Three appellations share this vineyard territory: Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Beaumes-de-Venise. The latter also produces Muscat, the famous natural sweet wine grown on the southern slopes of the Dentelles.
Cycle in the heart of the Bordeaux vineyards
Dawn is the perfect time to take a bike ride through the vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte. You’ll find the winegrowers are already at work looking after the precious vines, and horses are ploughing the land at the foot vines. At this estate, the grapes are harvested by hand and chemical products are banned. Making this Grand Cru Classé, considered as the "most important of the Graves", is an art. You can’t help but be impressed at the incredible evolution of the vines over the centuries as you stroll through the nearby Forest of the Senses: 10 hectares of perched cabins, sculptures and medicinal gardens - a living artwork...
Climb the slopes of the Scherwiller in Alsace
Want to know more about biodynamic viticulture? In Scherwiller in Alsace you can! Climb the hills of the Achillée estate where the Dietrich family will show you around their bioclimatic cellar, which is also the biggest straw and wood building in Europe. The estate offers wine tastings paired with organic cheese and charcuterie, as well as dishes prepared by local chefs. Try Riesling Scherwiller bio or "Quetsches alors", made from biodynamically grown quetsches and Riesling. This Alsatian vineyard simply sparkles with surprises.
Picnic in the vineyards of the Loire Valley
Dine at the edge of the lush rows of vines, at a table set in the shade of the fruit trees. In the heart of the Chancay vineyard in the Loire Valley, Myriam invites you to enjoy a delicious gourmet picnic - a festival of flavours to accompany the wines of Vouvray and Chinon. Rillettes of fish from the Loire flavoured with saffron; quiche tourangelle with rillettes from Tours and rillons from Touraine; goat cheese and nougat from Tours; cake with almonds, candied fruits and apricot jam... It's impossible to resist the scrumptious products of the Touraine region.
Find out more : - 7 completely organic experiences in the French vineyards
By Anne-Claire Delorme
Globetrotting journalist anneclairedelorme@yahoo.fr
