Planning a wine tour in France can feel like a part-time job. (Not to mention blindspots you didn’t even know about such as French holidays, overtourism during certain times in certain regions, and no guarantee your favorite wine producer will offer an equally enchanting wine tour ...

Here is an easy Crème de Cassis cocktail, inspired by Casablanca, plus a few more to add interest to the popular cocktail: Kir Kir Royale Kir Berrichon You’ve seen the movie often. It’s 1942, and “Casablanca” is playing. Humphrey Bogart is opening Ric’s Café for an evening’s entertainment. ...

Twenty-four years ago, Pascale Bernasse fulfilled a lifelong dream and began a career in the travel industry. Today, that dream remains a reality for her as the owner and President of French Wine Explorers.  Bernasse started working in the travel industry in 2000 after leaving a corporate ...

The Rhone Valley and Provence have some of the most beautiful vineyards in France. Vines cover the landscape as far as the eye can see in most places, punctuated by olive groves and lavender fields. You’ll find an incredibly rich variety of fascinating sites to discover while enjoying the ...

Ask any local, and their best advice for eating near the most popular Parisian landmarks is not to! Restaurateurs know that tourists coming down from the Eiffel Tower or out of the Louvre Museum starving.  They take advantage of tired legs and “underdeveloped” palates to pawn ...

Picture this: you’re hosting a meal and the main guest loves Bordeaux wines and steak. What is the best wine pairing with steak? In this post, find great tips and tricks for meal planning for Bordeaux wine lovers.  Here’s a preview for an easy, no-fail Bordeaux-themed meal that ...

When someone tells us they like full-bodied red wines, we first ask them what their idea of a full-bodied wine is.  This allows us to understand better what resonates with their preferences.  Then we can recommend areas in France to discover better what is a full-bodied wine! Winter wines, ...

How To Choose the Best France Wine Touring Company For You Struggling to choose the right France wine touring company amidst the sea of options? Discover how to identify the key factors that will ensure you find a tour that perfectly aligns with your wine preferences and travel style. You have ...

Ever felt overwhelmed by the vast array of Languedoc wines at events like Le Printemps du Languedoc? Learn how to navigate this rich showcase to find standout bottles that perfectly suit your palate and occasion. Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire… these are very familiar to us all by now. But ...

What Are Natural Wines? Why Should I Care About Them? Did you know that the secret to a truly remarkable natural wine might not be in the vineyard, but in the ancient fermentation techniques used? Uncover the surprising methods that can transform your wine experience and reveal hidden gems in ...

Ever wondered which little-known Burgundy wine could completely transform your holiday dinner? Discover the unexpected choice that’s making waves and how it could be the perfect complement to your festive feast. Some fortunate French Wine Explorer travelers have already tasted the summits of ...

  Did you know that Bordeaux’s rosé wines can offer a depth and complexity that rivals its reds? Discover the surprising characteristics of Bordeaux rosé that make it a standout choice for any wine lover. This is one of the hot new trends we are seeing coming out of Bordeaux – dry ...

How many Grand Cru vineyards are there in Burgundy? The Burgundy Grand Crus answer is not as straightforward as you might think. This is France, after all, where complexity rules the day! First, Remington Norman MW (author of Grand Cru: The Great Wines of Burgundy, 2011) and Sylvain Pitiot ...

*Please note: pricing may vary since the release of the article a few years ago! Saint Emilion Wines can be pricey, luckily, you can find great values as well.  Here is our shortlist of Saint Emilion wines to include in your collection: Chateau Pavie-Macquin Chateau Figeac Chateau Canon Chateau ...

What Are the Best Tuscan Wine Pairings with Food? Tuscan cuisine is based on “cucina povera,” a rural style based on seasonal and natural ingredients. Olive oil, unsalted bread, wild mushrooms, vegetables, and salt-cured or grilled meats form the base of this cuisine. So what Italian wines pair ...

Italy offers some of the best wines in the world and is also perhaps the world’s most complex wine-producing country. In Italy, there are: 20 major regions, over 400 designated quality appellations (denominazione), and nearly 1,000 important wine grapes. Tuscany has more quality appellations ...