Even a fantastic Burgundy-Chablis-Champagne wine tour has to finish. We ended it in style at the Michelin-starred restaurant Le Foch. It does not look much from the outside, but do step inside. It is classic,
Champagne Leclerc Briant is a peculiar champagne house. They are indeed biodynamic, but many are. But they do many other strange or unusual things. Making champagne in a gold plated stainless steel barrel? Yes. Lying-down
The Avenue de Champagne is a pearl necklace of magnificent building and imposing champagne houses. At the bottom (or beginning) you have Moet & Chandon, the biggest, of course. Then you have Pol Roger, the
Champagne Vincey, or Domaine Vincey as it says on the building, in Oger in Champagne has not been around for very long. They are making some excellent champagnes, very ambitious. One curiousity is their “tirage
Sometimes travel is the cause of curious coincidences. Early this year we were travelling in Soiuth Africa, visiting Gabrielskloof Wine Estate. I happened to start talking to a woman sitting there tasting a few wines
Do you care more about the name on the label or the taste of the contents? I’m sure it’s the latter. Sometimes it is difficult to rid oneself of “received wisdom”, though, which gets in
Argentinians drink only a fraction as much wine as they did a few decades back. The wine bottle is not a given on the family dining table. Is it terminal decline? A week in Buenos
A brand-new cellar and a delightful lunch—plus a whole range of exquisite Champagnes. That is what we experienced with Flavien and Flavia at Champagne René Rutat in Vertus, in the Côte des Blancs. A visit
At Champagne Pommery in Reims they have a few million bottles in the cellars, kilometres of underground galleries, an astounding art collection, and some pretty nice wines. We tasted a series of wines that are
When in Puligny-Montrachet, you can (you must!) make a stop for lunch on the town square. Like this. Here is Britt with the legendary Olivier Leflaive, Burgundy, who has built up an empire on white
If you are in Beaune, Burgundy on a Saturday, as we usually are on our wine tours, it is almost a must to go to the market on Saturday morning before the morning winery visit
Chablis and côte de bœuf go perfectly together, amply illustrated at our lunch stop in the small town of Chablis on the way up to Champagne from Burgundy. Three Chablis wines from small but exciting
A visit to the ancient cellars of Joseph Drouhin in Beaune, Burgundy. Thousands of invaluable old (and not so old) bottles of Burgundy, a maze of corridors ond stacks of bottles and barrels. Touching the
Contemplating one of the world’s most expensive agricultural land patches, Montrachet, Le Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet, Bienvenue Batard Montrachet, etc. in Puligny Montrachet. Try and remember all that… Any way, a hallowed grand cru in Burgundy below
You can have small wine cellar and still make big wines. Like Hanna Schaps at Domain Schaps. Out in the vineyards in Pommard we make a big cheer!
We had a thoroughly enjoyable time at Maison Drouhin-Laroze in Gevrey Chambertin, Burgundy. First à visit to their super-elegant winery. Then a traditional Burgundian lunch accompanied by some amazing Burgundies, exceptional wines, with a view
In March, it is time for harvest in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. Here are some beautifully ripe chardonnay, syrah, cabernet, gewurtztraminer… Join us on the New Zealand tour next March.
Maison Ambroise, a family vineyard in Premeaux-Prissey which is not one of the famous villages in the pearl band of the Cote d’Or in Burgundy. But they have vineyards in several locations and maxe excellent
Unusual but no less great wines at Frederic Magnien / Domaine Michel Magnien in Morey St Denis, Burgundy. Not much oak barrels but plenty of amphora. Lots of concentration in the wines.
Visiting some of the world’s most famous vineyards. Land that costs as much as an apartment per m2. Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, Clos de Vougeot, La Grand Rue… in Burgundy. Sadly, no tasting :-)
We had some beautiful views over the Corton vineyards, standing at the Clod des Meix monopole. Followed by a delicious lunch with I don’t know how many grand crus… at Comte Senard, Aloxe Corton, Burgundy.
Walking around the city, some views from Bordeaux. It is one of the most elegant cities in France. With its opera, Pont de Pierre, riverside walk, Miroir d’eaux (water mirror)…
A sunny afternoon is perfect for a walk in Saint Emilion. A Medieval town full of cafés, restaurants and wine shops.
On the whole – amazing. We had a stunning series of wines on the Bordeaux tour. We had almost all vintages from 2000 to 2025. And all major appellations. Good job!
What a grande finale with Chateau Franc-Mayne and Jacques. The impressive oak, the underground 2 ha cellar, and an amazing lunch at Grand Barrail with an outstanding selection of wines. Encore! Encore!
