If you are planning a summer holiday in France, you’re not going to want to miss out on taking a wine tasting tour. Here are 5 reasons why a wine tour is an absolute must.

1. Taste the terroir

The terroir consists of everything from the soil to the climate to the slope of the hill that the vines are planted on. Quite simply, it is the natural environment where the vines are grown.

One of the most amazing things about wine is that the exact same type of grapes, planted in two different regions, are likely to result in very different wines.

Yes, there may be a few other factors at play (such as how skilled the winemaker is) but it is the terroir that can have a really big impact on how the wine ultimately tastes and the aromas and flavours that you get from it.

Going on a wine tasting tour is a great way to discover the secrets of the local terroir that make a region’s wines so special.

2. French wine is some of the best wine in the world

Wine is deep-rooted in the French culture. Experts now think that wine has been produced in France for almost 2,500 years. Indeed, many of the grape varieties that we know and love today originated in France.

French wine is celebrated all over the world. Sancerre, for example, has to be one of the most famous white wines worldwide (although they do make some wonderful reds and rosés too!).

When you’re taking a wine tour, as well as visiting where your favourite wine is grown, try to head off the ‘beaten track’ and try something different. Châteaumeillant is a great example of a little-known AOC in the Centre-Val de Loire, which produces some really good wines, particularly its rosé gris.

3. Discover the local area

A wine tour is a great way to discover the local area and learn a little history about the role viticulture plays in the region that you’re visiting.

One of the great things about taking a guided wine tasting tour is that you will get to meet the local vignerons, whose role it is to make our favourite tipple.

4. Uncover other local produce

Wine tours are also a great way to find out about other local produce that you may otherwise have missed out on.

Wines often go extremely well with the food that is produced nearby (this is no coincidence!).

For example, Châteaumeillant wines go wonderfully well with the local goat’s cheese.

5. Wine tasting tours can make fantastic Paris day trips

If you’re visiting Paris this summer, a wine tasting tour could give you the opportunity to spend a day outside of the city, discovering the beautiful French countryside.

Many of France’s vineyards are within easy reach of Paris, especially on France’s famous high-speed trains.

You could be uncovering the secrets of Sancerre’s wonderful wines or discovering the lesser-known appellations of Quincy and Reuilly, in as little as 1.5 hours.

Thinking about booking a wine tasting tour?

If you would like to book a wine tasting tour as part of your summer holidays, Goûts du Berry offers tours around Châteaumeillant, Sancerre, Quincy and Reuilly. If you can’t find what you’re after, we also offer Bespoke Tours.

Can’t wait for your summer hols? Why not book a short break in the stunning French countryside…