Tour: France: Cotes du Rhone 5 Night

The Region

Some of France's most renowned vineyards are located here.In the North Syrah rules, sometimes tempered by the fragrant white grape Viognier. Further to the south, as the temperature rises, Grenache takes on an increasing importance. The White grapes are primarily Marsanne, along with Roussanne in the better wines. There are simply too many villages to cover adequately in the space allowed but all are not as important based on the quality of blends they produce. Chateauneuf de Pape allows 13 varieties, reds and whites, to be blended to make this often exquisite wine. Chief among these are the important grapes listed above and the red wine grape Mouvedre. Among the key Rhone wines, the following "villages" consistently produce the top wines. Chateauneuf du Pape - One of the most famous wine names in France. Due in large part to the wine labeling revolution that started here and later became the basis of the Appelation Controlee system CdP still leads in the labeling front, allowing only Estate Grown wines to bear the glass embossed seal of the town on their bottles. High in alcohol and easy to enjoy, these wines remain the best known of the Rhone wines. Cote Rotie - The wine from this northern most region is made from Syrah with the occasional touch of Viognier for a touch of elegance. Hermitage - In the running with Cote Rotie as the best red wines of the Rhone, the wines are derived primarily from the Syrah grape and as usual may have a small amount of white wine added to it. Rich and flavorful this is everything a great Syrah can be.

The Must Sees and Dos

The Rhone Valley is home to the center of France's culinary arts and fine dining establishments made famous by the world's greatest chefs such as Bocuse and Triosgros whose family continues his 3-Star Michelin legend. Lyon for its silk weaving and production history; the trompe L'oeil found throughout the city; and the Vieux Lyon district for its 300 authentically restored medieval and Renaissance homes - an architectural masterpiece. If you love farmers' markets, you'll love Valaenc. Of course, Beaujolais and Chateauneuf speak to the simple but exuberant wine village lifestyle.

Wineries you may visit on this tour

Properties will be a selection of large and small producers. Rhone properties vary greatly in their presentation and philosophy, and many smaller producers do not speak English. Therefore choice of visits is dependent on guests' ability in French language, as well as normal constraints of time of year and advance booking notice. All visits are requested on an individual basis and winemakers' schedules can fill well in advance at certain times of the year. Visits are personally selected by Peter Smith, based on his extensive experience in the region, and are often with winemakers who are personal friends of his. Here are a few of the possible options: Chapoutier, Marc Sorrel, Niero, Montez, Chave, Jaboulet, Vieux Donjon, Beaucastel, Janassse, Marcoux, Clos Pegau, Usseglio, Charvin, Clos du Papes, Monpertuis, Mordoree, Clos du Caillou, Domaine de la Citadelle, St Cosme and Santa Duc.

Accommodation

Hotel Beau Rivages is a lovely family-owned hotel about 30 minutes south of Lyon, right on the bank of the Rhone River, beneath the hillside vineyards of Condrieu and Cote Rotie. It's Michelin-starred restaurant boasts excellent cuisine and a fine wine list, and superb, friendly service.

Chateau des Fines Roches is a unique property just outside Chateauneuf itself. It is a "faux" chateau, constructed about 100 years ago as a replica of a medieval castle. With only 8 rooms, this is a charming and exclusive place to stay, right in the midst of Chateauneuf du Pape's vineyards.

Hotel Upgrade

Hotel le Prieure is a deluxe hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant in Villeneuve-lez-Avignon, across the river from Avignon itself. The small town is very interesting to walk around, and a 5 minute drive over the bridge gets you in to the city of Avignon. The hotel has a lovely secluded garden, tennis courts etc.

Inclusions

6 days and 5 Nights hotel in shared double/twin room with local taxes.
5 breakfasts
1 lunch with wine at Les Florets
2 dinners at hotel on first and last night (without wines)
artisan visit to chocolate workshop in Chateauneuf
7 VIP winery visits
All wine tasting fees
for Self-drive program: includes rental car or van with basic insurance, maps and detailed driving instructions/tips and contact information if you choose this option.
for Chauffeur program : includes car or van , English-speaking wine expert driver with guided commentary if you choose this option
for days and nights when lunch or dinner is not included, wine world management will provide recommended dining establishments and even make your reservation at no additional charge

Exclusions

Round trip airfare, customs fees, telephone, tips and taxis, alcoholic beverages, wine and dining that is not specifically included in itinerary and personal items.

Pricing

All prices shown are per person double occupancy (twin share) and ultimately depend on program chosen, preferred accommodation, number of guests and type/size of rental car if self-drive. Prices that "can be as low as" refer to lowest per person price possible based on a group (3 couples, etc) of six like-minded wine and gourmet dining enthusiasts traveling together.

Please Note: For our clients who do not wish to worry about driving and following our spot-on directions, we recommend our private chauffeur-driven and guided version of the same itinerary but with wonderful local knowledge, insider information and "flavour" that only an experienced and friendly French driver / guide can provide. It's truly a great value and a relaxing, fun experience.

Self Drive Program priced from $2,029.00 per person double occupancy but can be as low as $1,999.00 based on the number of travelers in your party.

Chauffeur Program priced from $4,789.00 per person double occupancy but can be as low as $2,869.00.

Rhone Valley Wine World Itinerary

Your Wine & Gourmet Adventure can begin on Tuesday, or Sun/Mon/Wed if a market visit is not included on final day.

Day 1
Morning - Arrive Lyon rail station and pick up your rental car. Follow directions supplied; either directly to your hotel in Condrieu on the bank of the Rhone river, or first take a tour of Vieux Lyon, the old quarter of the city - use our self-drive tour instructions if you haven't taken the optional guided tour.

Afteroon - Once you arrive at your hotel, you are free to relax, explore the rugged hillsides and spectacular vineyards of the Cote Rotie and Condrieu wine country and orient yourselves for tomorrow's tours. History enthusiasts may like to drive 15 minutes up the river to Vienne to see the Roman Amphitheater (where the annual Jazz festival is held) or the Roman village on the west bank of the river.

Dinner - tonight you'll dine at your hotel's excellent Michelin-starred restaurant.

Day 2
Morning - Today is your day for tasting the wines of the north and central Cote du Rhone. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before checking out of your hotel and driving just up the road to Ampuis, the heart of the Cote Rotie. We have arranged one visit for you this morning at 10:00 in the Cote Rotie, before you drive down to Tain l'Hermitage in time for lunch - select from our recommended restaurants or choose your own venue.

Afternoon - At 3 PM we have arranged a visit for you at Chapoutier to learn about the most famous Hermitage wines. Continue south, arriving in the late afternoon to check into your hotel in either Avignon or Chateauneuf du Pape.

Dinner - reservations can be made for you by advance request in any of our recommended restaurants at no extra charge, or you can choose to make your own arrangements.

Day 3
Morning - This morning is left open for you to relax and see the sights of Avignon at your own pace. Allow plenty of time if you visit the historic Palais des Papes because you can easily spend several hours in this fascinating palace.

Afternoon - Lunch as the mood takes you, then depart to Chateauneuf to visit two of the most important wineries of the region this afternoon along with an artisan visit to a chocolaterie.

Dinner - You may choose to remain in the village or Chateauneuf for dinner or return to the city - see our list of restaurant recommendations.

Day 4
Morning - Today is spent exploring the wines of Gigondas as well as Chateauneuf. We have arranged a visit for you this morning at 10:00 in Chateauneuf...

Afternoon - Follow our directions to a lovely lunch in Gigondas at a friendly, family-owned restaurant with special tasting menu of typical (and copious) cooking and wines from the family's estate, under the "shadow" of the famous Dentelles mountain that dominates the skyline. You will have one more winery visit this afternoon at 4:30 PM in either Gigondas or Vacqueras, two appellations that produce excellent wines on the border of their more famous neighbor, Chateauneuf.

Dinner - Tonight is in the comfort of your hotel's gourmet restaurant.

Day 5
Morning - Today you will explore the beautiful Valley of Luberon, to the east of Avignon. This 150-200km route takes you first to Menerbes, where you'll stop to visit one of the top wineries of this relatively undiscovered region.

Afternoon - You may choose to stay for lunch in the village, or continue through Gordes (stop to see the ancient village of "Bories" dwellings) and on at your own pace around the circuit through hilltop Moorish villages of Rousillon and Apt. Then you can drop down to the valley floor and head back to Avignon, or cross over to climb spectacular Mt. Ventoux, even as far as Vaison-la-Romaine if you wish. There are ample stops along the way for sightseeing, browsing in the village shops or taking a coffee break under a café's sidewalk umbrella. You'll also pass numerous artisans where you can stop to taste wine, honey, fruit preserves or other goodies - and plenty of things for the artist in to you admire in workshops nestled in the village streets. On the way home you will stop for a visit to the workshops of the Confiserie du Mont Ventoux in Carpentras, where amongst other delicacies you can find the famous Berlingot de Carpentras which is actually a caramel that comes in a variety of flavours such as anice, mint, orange and coffee. They were first created oin the 1800s and have been in continuous production here since 1946.

Dinner - You may choose to stay out for dinner, or return to Avignon - we can make reservations for you as needed.

Day 6
Morning - Get up this morning and (if you start the tour on Tuesday and today is Sunday) drive about 30 minutes to the market in Isle sur la Sorgue. This is a lovely experience - a combination of a traditional Provencale market and one of the most famous antiques markets in France. (Sorgue is filled with antique merchants, so if you don't arrive here on Sunday it's still worth coming to browse the stores if you like antiques).

Afternoon - After the market return to check out of your hotel and continue to the rest of your vacation. If you wish to stay in Sorgue for lunch, check out after breakfast and the hotel staff will be happy to take care of your bags until you are ready to depart.