Episode 101 A Wine Lover’s Guide to Planning a Trip to France

In episode 101 of the Global Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy is joined by Elisa Subirats, the Paris-based travel blogger and wine expert behind France Bucket List, to talk about planning a wine trip to France.

Elisa brings together a love of travel and a serious passion for wine. She has completed the French Wine Ambassador programme and her WSET certification, and is now studying towards the Bourgogne Masters alongside her full-time work.

If you have ever swirled a glass of French wine and wanted to see where it comes from, this is a warm and very practical listen.

Elisa shares how to choose your region, the big names and the lesser-known alternatives worth seeking out, how a winery visit actually works and why you need to book ahead, and the best ways to get around wine country and get your wine safely home.

It is a lovely conversation for anyone drawn to wine travel, whether you are a serious wine lover or simply wine curious, and our very first episode on the subject.

Click the blue button below to listen:

Episode 101 – What you’ll learn in this episode

• Why France is such a rewarding destination for wine travel, and what sets it apart beyond the wine itself
• How the three big names differ, with Bordeaux known for its châteaux and red blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Bourgogne for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and terroir, and Champagne for sparkling wines and spectacular underground cellars
• The best wine region for a day trip from Paris, and how to do Champagne either as a guided tour or self-guided by train to Épernay and the Avenue de Champagne
• Lesser-known regions worth your attention, including Jurançon and Madiran in the southwest, with Jurançon’s sweet and dry whites and the Tannat grape of Madiran
• Quieter, better-value alternatives to a crowded Bordeaux, including the Bergeracoise around Bergerac and Monbazillac in place of Sauternes for sweet-wine lovers
• How a winery visit actually works, and why you need to book ahead, from about a week for smaller domains to a month or more for the most prestigious
• Whether you need to speak French or know anything about wine to enjoy a tasting, and why beginners are always welcome
• What tastings tend to cost, from free to more than 100 euros, and whether you are expected to buy at the end
• The best ways to get around wine country without driving, from guided tours and a private driver to cycling the Loire à Vélo
• How to get your wine home, including international shipping, free-shipping offers, and why it helps to let bottles settle before opening
• The best time of year to visit, including harvest season and the Fête des Vendanges
• Wine festivals worth planning a trip around, including the Grand Tasting in Paris in December, the Beaune wine fair in November, and Beaujolais Nouveau
• The biggest mistakes travellers make when planning a wine trip, and why choosing the right region for your taste matters so much
• Elisa’s one piece of advice for a first French wine trip: look for the full experience, from truffle hunting to a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards

Links

Guest information

• France Bucket List – Wine Travel Planning – Elisa’s blog
• Elisa’s wine travel consultation services
• Uncorked France on Instagram – wine travel inspiration and a wine festival calendar by month
• Uncorked France on Facebook
• All of Elisa’s links (Linktree)
• Wine festivals in France 

Mentioned in this episode

• Avenue de Champagne, Épernay – the walkable stretch of champagne houses Elisa suggests for a self-guided Champagne day trip
• Château de Monbazillac – the sweet-wine alternative to Sauternes, east of Bordeaux
• Loire à Vélo – the Loire by bike route, mostly flat, for cycling between domains
• Wine festivals: the Grand Tasting (Paris, December), the Beaune wine fair (November), and Beaujolais Nouveau (third Thursday of November)

Podcasts

• Episode 37: Tips for First-Time Visitors to France – Tracy and Jo Karnaghan on the practical side of a first trip to France
• Global Travel Planning Podcast directory

Articles

• France Travel Guide – our hub of France articles, tips and podcasts