France’s Unique and Delectable Wineries

When it comes to wine, we’ve all heard of such famous regions as Tuscany and Napa Valley.  But these aren’t the only areas that produce exquisite wine.  In fact, there are 3 surprisingly lesser known regions that happen to offer everything a wine aficionado could ask – from robust flavors to distinct styles to earthy aromas and everything in between.  These 3 regions include Alsace, Languedoc and Cote d’Azur – each featuring their own unique and delectable wine products.

Alsace

The Alsace region of France features a varied geology of soil types and a climate and altitude that is ideal for wine production.  Vineyards are sheltered from excess rain by the Vosges mountain range, creating a warm, dry and sunny atmosphere.  The seven grape varieties used to produce Alsace wines include Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Sylvaner, Muscat d’Alsace and Pinot Noir.

The wines produced in Alsace are predominantly of the white variety, with the exception of Pinot Noir.  Most of the white wines from Alsace feature the distinct characteristics of being floral, spicy and aromatic, particularly due to the use of aromatic grapes in their production.  Some are dry, others are sweet.  Sparkling wines, referred to as Crémant d’Alsace, are also produced in this lovely French region.

Languedoc

Given its massive production volume, it’s surprising that the French region of Languedoc is not more widely known.  In fact, the region is home to approximately 700,000 acres of vineyards and is the single largest wine-producing region in the world, responsible for more than a third of France’s total wine production.  And it’s been this way for quite some time, with the earliest known vineyards of the area having been planted in the 5^th century BC by the Greeks.  This mass production of high quality wines is due in large part to the region’s Mediterranean climate, which creates ideal growing conditions.

The most common grape varieties of the Languedoc region include Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.  White varieties also include Mauzac and Chenin Blanc.  Reds of Languedoc include Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Mourvedre and Cinsault.  There are an enormous number of names, blends and varieties found throughout the region, many of which have earned the highest honor of achieving appellation or sub-appellation status.  All of the wines of Languedoc feature exquisite aromas and distinct flavors and are renowned among wine connoisseurs the world over.

Cote d’Azur

The Cote d’Azur includes the French region of Provence, which is known for its production of rosé wine.  Contrary to popular belief, rosé wines are not made from a combination of white and red, but are a unique variety in and of themselves.  In fact, it’s one of the earliest wines ever produced as well as one of the most difficult.  Some rosé wines of the Cote d’Azur regions feature light, fruity flavors, while others are more bold and robust.

Another fine variety of the Cote d’Azur area is Bandol wine, one of the most internationally recognized Provencal varieties.  Bandol wine is dominated by the Mourvedre grape, which has different characteristics depending on the particular “terroir” it is produced in.  Most Bandols feature flavors that are more on the spicy side with earthy undertones.

These three regions, while not as well-known as some others, are considered to be among the best places to grow and produce wine in France (and perhaps the world), particularly due to the perfect weather and ideal conditions.  Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just enjoy a sip of vino every once in a while, the wines produced throughout these three regions are among the best in the world and make these destinations well worth a visit (or two).  Cheers!

Why Not Include the Whole Family?

Traveling as a family can be one of the most rewarding and unforgettable experiences.  It can also be one of the most challenging, particularly when that family includes young children or teenagers.  The good news is, it doesn’t have to be!  Here are some simple tips that will help ensure your vacation goes smoothly and is enjoyable for everyone involved.

Involve your kids in the planning process

Children love to feel like they are a part of everything.  It empowers them and gives them a sense of accomplishment and confidence.  Involve your kids in the whole process, from deciding on a destination to choosing different activities to include in the itinerary.  The more involved your children are in the planning and decision making process, the more cooperative and content they will be during the trip.

Pack less

Keep in mind that no matter where you go, your kids are probably going to end up with a bunch of souvenirs.  You’ll want to be sure to leave enough room to pack them for the trip home.  A good way to do this is to pack once, and then remove half of what you’ve packed.  Remember – you only need to bring just enough clothes to last the length of your trip.  Stick to the essentials and you won’t have to deal with any headaches for the trip home.

Invite a friend

Kids always have more fun when they can play with others, so if possible, consider allowing your children to each bring a friend with them on your next trip.  It will give them someone to interact with and help them to not feel so disconnected from their normal, everyday life.  This is especially true for teenagers. Test the waters first by letting your child bring their friend along on shorter trips like weekend getaways, to make sure everyone is compatible.

Split up

One of the biggest reasons traveling as a family can be challenging is the fact that it involves long stretches of time spent all together.  Too much time together can be overwhelming for both parents and children. Try to organize your trip so that you are able to split up for some activities – even if it’s just for dinner.  Many of the hotels featured on our tours have pools or offer other activities that allow kids who are old enough the chance to explore a little.  Teens can enjoy a little taste of freedom and parents get the chance to relax and enjoy some alone time.

Keep it exciting

Remember that children may not enjoy things like sightseeing or appreciate culture as much as adults do, so try your best to make these types of activities as exciting and fun as possible.  Multisport tours are excellent options for families with kids because they offer a wide variety of activities for different ages, abilities and skill levels.  For instance, our multisport tours offer things like canoeing, treasure hunts, hiking, biking and trips to adventure parks, just to name a few.

Also keep in mind that when you’re participating in activities like hiking or biking, your children probably aren’t thinking about just getting from point A to point B, but rather they see the activity as a chance to explore.  Allow ample time to make it an adventure and choose routes that are interesting, such as alongside a river.  You may be surprised at what you discover along the way.

Make it memorable

There are plenty of ways to make memories on a trip besides taking pictures.  Think of creative ways to commemorate your journey, like purchasing a post card at each destination and having your children write the date, their age and a single memory of that stop on the back.  Or, give each child a new journal and encourage them to write down their thoughts, feelings and memories during the trip.  Did they try a new food?  Perhaps they learned a new word in another language.  These are things that can’t be learned in a textbook or captured in a photograph, but that make a lasting impression on a child.  Encourage them to jot them down so they’ll always have those special memories of their trip.

Traveling as a family doesn’t have to be a hassle. In fact, if you follow these tips, you can create an indelible bond and experience unforgettable adventures that you and your children will remember forever.