We had such great feed-back from those who came with us to Burgundy last year that we have decided to organise tours to two of France's other great wine producing regions this autumn:-

Alsace - in October

Champagne in November

ALSACE – SATURDAY 9TH TO FRIDAY 15TH OCTOBER 2010

6 Nights – 12 Tastings – 3 Dinners

This tour will start and finish in Central London. Travel will be by luxury coach giving you the opportunity to bring back wine, should you wish.

As the distance from London to Alsace is too great to drive comfortably in one day, we will break the outward journey in Reims, the Champagne capital and the return journey in Metz, centre of the small wine producing region of Lorraine.

Alsace is one of the most picturesque wine regions in France.

It is much admired for its ability to produce wines of great finesse and character which are superb expressions of grape variety and soil. If you want to understand the complex French notion of ?terroir?, this is your opportunity. It is also a relaxed and friendly place, with a reputation for good eating.

Saturday, 9th October

Early morning departure from central London in our executive coach for the journey to Dover and through the Tunnel to Calais. We then drive across the gently undulating plains of northern France to the Champagne region with a brief stop in Arras where you will be able to find lunch. On arrival in Reims, historic capital of the region, we visit a small family producer of top-quality Champagne. - just to get us off to a flying start! After checking in to our hotel, we have dinner together at a nearby restaurant (cost included).

Sunday, 10th October

After breakfast, we set off to complete our journey to Alsace, stopping for a bite to eat en route. We will have two tastings in the vicinity of Strasbourg during the afternoon before driving south to the town of Colmar, where we will check in to our hotel Dinner this evening will be in the hotel (cost included).

Monday 11th October to Wednesday 13th October

The pattern for these three days will be similar. After a leisurely breakfast in our hotel, we will have tastings in the villages north and south of Colmar morning and afternoon.

Tasting will be selected from the following list of producers

Becker, Blanck, Rolly-Gassmann, Hugel, Josmeyer, Mochel, Muré, Pfister, Schlumberger, Sipp-Mack, Trimbach, Weinbach.

Thursday 14th October

On the final morning of our stay in Alsace, we will check out of our hotel and drive north to Ribeauvill?, a very picturesque small town with more than its fair share of famous winemakers, for a tasting. After free time for lunch in Ribeauvill?, we will set off for Lorraine, stopping for a tasting en route. After checking in to our hotel, we will meet for dinner in a local restaurant (cost included).

Friday 15th October

Our final visit before setting off on our journey homeward will be to one of the best producers in the Lorraine region with vineyards on the banks of the Moselle river just outside of Metz. We will stop for lunch en route and arrive back in central London mid-evening.

On all visits, you will have the opportunity to buy wine at advantageous prices.

Tour Price (per person)

Sharing a room £849

Supplement for single room occupancy £150

Please email or call us for a copy of the tour brochure and a bookingform.

Bookings no later than 31st August 2010 please

CHAMPAGNE – FRIDAY 26TH TO SUNDAY 28TH NOVEMBER

2 Nights – 4 Tastings – 2 Dinners

A weekend of good wine, good food and good company and a chance to stock up on Champagne before the start of the festive season. A bonus will be the Christmas Market which brings a real buzz to the centre of Reims at this time.

Friday 26th November

Early morning departure from central London in our executive coach for the journey to Dover and through the Tunnel to Calais. We then drive across the gently undulating plains of northern France to the Champagne region with a brief stop in Arras where you will be able to find lunch.. On arrival in Reims, historic capital of the region, we visit one of the top Champagne houses - just to get us off to a flying start! After checking in to our hotel, we have dinner together at a nearby restaurant (cost included)

Saturday 27th November

After breakfast we drive to one of the 'grand cru' villages on the Montagne de Reims to visit a small family producer who makes top-quality Champagne. Then into the town of Epernay where you will be able to find a bite to eat in one of the bustling cafes around the Place de la République. After a visit to one of the big Champagne houses nearby, we return to Reims. There will be time to explore the Christmas Market or visit to the magnificent Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, before gathering for dinner at a restaurant just a short walk from the hotel (cost included).

Sunday, 28th November

After breakfast, we return to the Montagne de Reims to visit a further small family producer before setting off on the road for home. We will stop for lunch en route and arrive back in central London mid-evening.

On all visits, you will have the opportunity to buy wine at advantageous prices.

Tour Price (per person)

Sharing a room £415

Supplement for single room occupancy £45

Please email or call us for a copy of the tour brochure and a booking form.

Bookings no later than 30th September 2010, please.