Beaujolais Wine Country

Stunning Beauty Complemented by Light Fruity Vintages:

Discover why Beaujolais is one of France’s most beloved wine regions during this flavorful and scenic excursion. In full, it is larger than any single district of its neighbor, Burgundy. Vineyards stretch for four miles along the Saône, and the granite soils and warmer climate make it ideal for growing grapes that produce a light flavor. Join your guide for a scenic drive through the rolling hills of Beaujolais, where viticultural tradition runs deep. Then, stop at a local village and enjoy a stroll with your guide as you learn about the art of winemaking, perhaps hearing about the popular Beaujolais Nouveau and the coveted crus that are produced here. You will also stop at one of Beaujolais’s famous cellars to enjoy a tasting with a wine expert.

After a day in the city, it was nice to return to the countryside, which is one of the reasons I selected this excursion. That, plus the fact that my friend Kevin insisted that I experience at least one wine tasting while in France! While Tim enjoyed a leisurely morning on the ship, I was on my own to continue my wine education.

After a long stretch on the autoroute, our motorcoach finally exited and began our drive through small towns and the vineyards of the Beaujolais wine region. As the roads became increasingly narrow, I wondered how we could possibly make it through. I continue to be amazed at the skills required to drive in France.

Lovely Countryside and Narrow Roads

We soon stopped at Château de Varennes, a vineyard and winery that has been owned and operated by the same family since 1809. Château de Varennes is located in the Beaujolais-Villages appellation, one of twelve different Beaujolais appellations in France. We had time to wander among the buildings of this sixteenth century castle and then see the vineyards that had just started to come to life.

Château de Varennes

The Buildings of Château de Varennes

The Vineyards of Château de Varennes

We learned about the production of the wine during a tour of the cellars, and I was surprised to discover that several of the wines we would be tasting are made from grapes that are not separated, or de-stemmed. Instead, the entire grape cluster goes into the fermentation tank. We then sat for our tasting and sampled four wines, from a lively chardonnay to three different reds. Our host described the different varieties, and we were invited to compare and contrast them.

Where the Magic Happens

Our Wine Tasting

It was soon time to re-board our motorcoach and continue our exploration of the Beaujolais wine region. Despite the overcast skies, the views of the countryside were lovely.

Scenery along the Way in Beaujolais Wine Country

We stopped at Beaujeu, the historical capital of the Beaujolais wine region. In fact, it is Beaujeu that gave its name to the region. Beaujeu is a small village with narrow streets and a central square. We had time to wander around and visit the Church of Saint-Nicholas.

Scenes in Beaujeu

Church of Saint-Nicholas

After returning to the ship for quick lunch, it was soon time for our afternoon excursion.