The French Wine Break: Where to Go, Stay, and Drink in 5 Destinations

Thanks to its famous wine route, Alsace is an excellent region in which to base yourself on your first wine vacation. Home to rolling hills, vast vineyards, and grand castles, it’s as famous for its natural beauty as its wine. Tourists are traditionally offered a warm welcome -- which we’re sure has nothing to do with the effects of all that quality wine close at hand! -- and visiting the region’s quaint villages is the best way to witness the local hospitality.


If you prefer to stay in a city, then pick Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace. Home to breathtaking gothic architecture, a grand Old Town, and most pertinently, regular wine tours, it’s a destination in itself. If the history of the city sounds appealing, then book a stay at the elegant Hotel Cour du Corbeau Strasbourg where you can enjoy the charming mix of old and new in the heart of the town.


What to Drink: Dry Riesling

Sun, sea, and sand… the only thing that could trump that triple threat is wine, and Provence has barrels of it. If staying in one place gives you itchy feet, then you’ve come to the right region. Turn your wine tasting tour into a road trip by working your way across the French Riviera as you take in the array of small independent wineries spread along the route.


Begin with a stay in Nice at the arty, mid-range Hotel Windsor before leaving for the nearby vineyards of Bellet. It’s up to you which route you take along the Cote d’Azure, but the underrated wine region of Provence has vineyards stretching all the way to Marseille. Whatever you do, make sure you visit Saint Tropez and sample the finest Rosé the Cotes de Provence has to offer.


What to Drink: Rose

All that glitters isn’t gold and all that sparkles isn’t Champagne -- unless you happen to be on a wine tour in Champagne, in which case we think it’s safe to assume those bubbles are legit. Champagne is the world’s most famous wine so naturally the region caters to tourists who have a taste for the fizz. Base yourself in the old university town of Reims and prepare to be pampered. Join a guided tour and explore the multitude of vineyards from the town where Krug, Vueve Clicquot, and Taittinger are all based. Alternatively, combine your visit to Champagne with a trip to Paris. Reims is only 45 minutes by train from the City of Light, which makes adding a short stay in the French capital a no-brainer. 


What to Drink: Champagne

After a raft of sustained redevelopment, the city of Bordeaux is now as attractive a destination as its surrounding vineyards -- all 100,000 of them! What was once a sleepy city in the corner of southwest France is now a modern metropolis with a vibrant cultural scene. Sights worth seeing before heading off on your vineyard tours include the Opera House, Saint Andre Cathedral, and the Water Mirror -- which just happens to be the world’s largest reflecting pool, for all those reflecting pool fans out there.


With so much of Bordeaux dedicated to making wine, there is something for all tastes and arranging tours from the town is simple. After long days in the vineyards you’ll appreciate a touch of luxury in your accommodation so stay at the Bordeaux’s Le Boutique Hotel where you can relax in the elegance of the 18th-century townhouse.


What to Drink: Merlot

After an afternoon’s wine tasting, it won’t be the rosé-tinted glasses (pardon the pun) that lead you to conclude that the Loire Valley is quite possibly the most romantic place on earth. A fairytale region of castles, aristocratic charm, and stunning scenery -- blessed with the spectacular Loire River running through it -- this is picture-postcard France. Good bases from which to explore the varied vineyards include the lively cities Nantes and Tours, or more serene towns like medieval Sancerre and Saumur.


Romance is at the heart of the Loire, which makes it the perfect place to indulge your inner oenophile and at the same time celebrate a honeymoon, anniversary, or any other occasion where you’d be happy to surround yourself with fine wine and dreamy landscapes. 


What to Drink: Chenin Blanc