If
you’re planning to travel to the south of France in the near
future, think about including a trip to one of the vineyards
of the 60 winegrowers in the "Côtes de Provence" region. A small,
yet beautiful area, it takes in the departments of the Var and
part of the Bouches-du-Rhône.
An
indigo sky, azure sea and miles of white, sandy beaches welcome
you to an area where limestone cliffs and medieval villages
give way to miles of sharply-scented pine forests that provide
shelter to tranquil lakes and lazy rivers.
Whether
you stay in a bustling, crowded metropolis with all the modern
conveniences, or a turn-of-the-century country guest house filled
with 17th and 18th century antiques, in Provence your days will
be filled with sunshine and warmth, and lush nights, scented
with jasmine, lavender and wild thyme.
Perhaps
because of the breathtaking beauty of the Mediterranean Sea
and the abundance of tourist attractions found in Nice, Cannes
and elsewhere along the French Riviera, Provence is often overlooked
by companies that offer traditional wine tasting tours, in spite
of the excellence of its wines.
2600
years ago, the Phoenicians settled in what is now France and
created the first vineyards to honor Bacchus (the God of wine).
They left behind a legacy of full-bodied wines that have a sparkle
and fullness that is as rich as the area they are grown in.
In
Provence, as everywhere in the Mediterranean, you’ll find the
people full of warmth, spontaneity and a “joie de vivre”. As
you will soon discover, any of these master oenologists (winemakers)
will be delighted to introduce you to the wines they have become
famous for; and share a little of the region’s history with
you.
IIf
you're very lucky, and your host is in the right mood, he might
even share some closely guarded secrets of how to blend the
right food with exactly the right wine, something that most
French winegrowers are passionate about!
As it is throughout all of France, winemaking in Provence is a serious
business. Many of the winegrowers here have won the rights to
include the prestigious “AOC” designation (Appellation d’Origine
Controlee) on their bottles of wines. This label assures the
buyer of a guaranteed vintage from the designated region. In
order to win the right to become designated as an appellation
wine, winegrowers much pass rigorous tests and inspections.
This
is a truly prestigious and coveted award, as only the Ministry
of Agriculture in Paris can bestow the title of an AOC on a
wine.
As
you will discover from the first delicious sip, the Côtes de
Provence winegrowers are experts in utilizing traditional methods
when harvesting and bottling their wines. Their deep respect
for the soil, the climate and the different varieties of grapes
they use comes through in the quality and taste of each bottle.
Located
in the heart of Provence’s winemaking region, the “Maison des
Côtes de Provence” boasts an outstanding selection of appellation
wines.
If
you’re not worried about the thickness of your waist (or your
wallet), a visit to the four-star restaurant the “Bacchus Gourmand”
is a must, where you can savor real Provençal cuisine accompanied
(of course) by the perfect bottle of a Côtes de Provence wine.
Or
try sampling a home-cooked meal at one of the many out of the
way cafes you’ll find tucked away on a narrow side street in
any village, where your host is also often your chef, and he
will be delighted to recommend a wine to you.
During
your tour you can arrange to take a wine tasting course at one
of the vineyards where you will learn a complete understanding
of wine: its robe (color), its bouquet (perfume), its body (strength)
and everything you need to know about service, conservation
etc.
A
visit to Provence and a tour of some of these wonderful vineyards
and wineries -- and taking home a bottle or two -- will be an
experience to remember.
Morris
gathers information about clubs around the globe wine club.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Morris
The
information supplied on this page is by a third party and jml
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