No products in the cart.
Half Day Wine
Walk & Picnic
The Half Day Wine Walk consists of a relaxed ninety minute circular walk through hillside vineyards, followed by a tasting of six wines from the area to be enjoyed with our picnics. The level of walking is very easy and suitable for all ages.
I supply the wine and tasting glasses. Guests are invited to bring their own picnics and return home with all the unfinished bottles of wine.
The walk commences at the beautiful hill-perched wine village of Séguret. This wonderfully restored medieval village is officially one of Most Beautiful Villages of France – yes, it’s official! We then set off for walk towards the adjacent Papal hill-top wine village of Sablet.
The vineyards of Séguret and Sablet have been cultivated since the 13th century when they were under the control of the Counts of Toulouse. The Avignon Popes took control of the vineyards when the Papacy moved from Rome in the 14th century. Sablet was awarded the classification Côtes du Rhône Villages Sablet in 1974. The Séguret vineyards were consecrated Côtes du Rhône Villages in 1967.
As we walk through stunning vineyards perched on the dramatic Dentelles de Montimarail Hills with views out on to the Rhône valley, I explain the local appellation and the local wine-growing culture – in particular the notion of terroir.
The local producers claim that their wines are “made in the vineyard and not in the cellar” – products of their magnificent “terroir” (growing conditions) and their hard work and passion in the vineyard. The varying nature of the vineyard landscape will provide you with an ideal opportunity to appreciate the concept of vineyard terroir.
French wine production is focussed on the vineyard and what the terroir brings to the wine, in particular a diversity of wine styles as each grower seeks to express their terroir in their wine.
Quality wine needs quality grapes. Vignerons labour away all year in the vineyard to ensure that their grapes are of optimum quality. As we walk through the vines, I explain how the vine-grower works the vineyard to produce the best possible grapes.
Towards the end of the walk we rest at a shaded spot with a magnificent view over the valley to enjoy our picnics. During the picnic we sample six wines from leading producers in the surrounding area. The wine selection will demonstrate the diversity of wine styles in the Southern Rhône region.
As we sample the wines? I explain the tasting characteristics of the Rhône grape varieties, the ageing potential of the wines and the varying influences of the terroir on the wines that we taste. Tasting the wine with some food allows us to talk about how the wines – and the food – are changed through pairing. Food and wine pairing does not need to be rocket science. There are some simple rules to follow.
Any Prior Wine Knowledge Required ?
My tours cater for all wine-drinkers, from those you know very little about wine, to enthusiasts seeking to broaden their understanding. My relaxed and informal tours can be tailored to suit each individual, as introductory, or as in-depth as you require.
Meeting Point :
10.30am at a designated meeting point in Séguret.
Full Day Rhône Wine Discovery Tour: Four Wine Estates*
3/4 Day Châteauneuf/Gigondas Tour: Three Wine Estates*
Half Day Tour : Two Wine Estates*
Full Day Provencal Cooking Class & Wine Tour*
Full Day History of Provence Walk & Wine Tour*
Half Day History of Provence Walk