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Vacations - Southern France
from: Jay BauderIf 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.
If 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.
About the author:
Jay is the web owner of http://www.Rental-Cars-In.com
that provides information and resources on rental cars,
vacations, airfare, hotels, and travel. You can visit his
website at: http://www.hotels-in.net
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