If you love the famous white wine made from one of the most popular grapes in France, then a trip to Chardonnay in the Bourgogne, the ancestral home of the green-skinned Chardonnay grape which is now grown around the world, is well worth the effort.
And often, that's true, given the pride various regions associate with their products, and the craftsmanship, techniques and attention to detail that are honed over generations and passed down to family members and apprentices. This is a level of care and tradition that is more difficult to transplant than a grapevine, and can't simply be communicated online or in the pages of a book.
Location for wine producing is incredibly important. As any wine-lover knows, it is not just about the grape. Equally as important are the quality of the light and the soil - the “Terroir” - as well as the right amount of precipitation. All of these factors are vital when making the best wine. Thus, a region historically associated with a particular wine, like Chardonnay, offers the optimal conditions for that particular grape to grow.
The Chardonnay region has not missed out on the wine tourism that is popular across the country, and walking holidays and other excursions can be had here. A proper Chardonnay walking holiday includes staying in guest houses, sampling the region's renowned food, tasting local wines and taking in the romance and history of this rural Burgundy region of eastern France.
In addition to touring vineyards and tasting famous Chardonnay labels like the renowned Pouilly-Fuissé, there are scores of Romanesque churches, beautiful medieval villages, ancient farmsteads and even pre-historic sites peppering the Chardonnay and Burgundy region, making your trip not only an epicurean and aesthetic experience, but a walk through time that can be as informative as it is beautiful.
It is an area that will appeal greatly to history buffs, but even for those who aren't, a top tip is to visit Brancion, a charming medieval village with a ruined castle that offers excellent views of the surrounding Burgundy countryside.
However, your trip to the region not only touches multiple interests and all of the senses, but it also involves more than just white wine. For should you think that your trip will only involve sipping Chardonnay, think again. The Burgundy region is one of the most famous of the wine-growing regions of France, and is also particularly well known for its Pinot Noir. You won't be cheating on your beloved Chardonnay to sneak a few sips of the rich red wine on your trip. Even if you are, relax - you're in the beautiful French countryside.
Most visitors to the region will fly into Lyon in eastern France; some will even use Lyon as a base to explore the Chardonnay region. From Lyon to Chardonnay by car takes around an hour to an hour and a half, a relatively short trip to experience a beautiful part of the world and some legendary wine.
Image by: David Wilbanks