265040 Tue Dec 14 12:21:45 -0800 2004 6 26 International 0 1399186 I am planning to visit Chablis and Champagne next year. I have no experience visiting wineries in France and would appreciate any recommendations people have. For example, in Bettane and Dessauve's "Classement des meilleurs vins de France 2004," the authors distinguish between wineries (e.g., Domaine Raveneau) that accept "pas de visites" and those (e.g., Domaine Michel Laroche) that accept visitors "sur rendez-vous." And then there's those (e.g., Domaine William Fevre) that simply note "tous les jours de 9 h 30 a 12 h, [. . .], sauf le mercredi." Should I send letters to all of the "sur rendezvous" wineries I'd like to visit? Does one simply show up for those that do not require rendezvous? Also, do these wineries (I'm hoping to visit Gimonnet in Cuis, De Sousa in Avize, Egly-Ouriet in Ambonnay, and in Chablis Fevre, Billaud-Simon, La Chablisienne and Long-Depaquit) charge for tastings? Finally, is there a very strong expectation that I will buy a significant quantity of wine during a visit? Any anecdotes or words of wisdom would be appreciated. Tue Dec 14 12:21:45 -0800 2004 0 Poot 1 1399190 We're in the Rhone so you are not really heading for our area but we spend a lot of time taking people wine tasting and the following might be of interest. If the guide says strictly sur rendez vous - then you need to call in advance or send them an email if they are places that you really want to get into. you could try turning up but you might be disappointed... Those which have opening hours will be happy to see you and will have someone available who will be able to give you a tasting. They may not speak English but you shouldn't let that put you off...est-ce que c'est possible de faire un degustation? and a big smile usually does the trick. The facilities down here vary from specially designed tasting room to part of the barrel storage area, to someone's dining room. Around here there is really never any charge for tasting and you are welcome to taste the full range and the person doing the tasting - often the wine maker or part of the family will be happy to tell you about life as a vigneron as well as the wine if you are friendly and enthusiastic. As to whether you are expected to buy - vigneron understand that if you are a tourist and have flown here you are unlikely to be able to buy much - a bottle of whatever you particularly like will suffice, but it is always a good idea to ask for a list of their distributors in your home country -des importateurs- and for details of their web site etc if you do not already have that. Hope that helps and that you have a great time. can't help with specific vineyards up there but would be glad to hear how you get on/where you particularly liked... Lindsay www.maisondetreholidays.com www.vinetours.co.uk Tue Dec 14 13:00:26 -0800 2004 1399186 0 Lindsay 1 1399206 I've been to both Champagne and Chablis for wine tastings. One note on Champagne: many of the bigger champagne houses offer the Napa-style welcome centers where there is a guided tour, a big tasting room, and a gift shop. I usually buy one or two bottles, and I've never felt I needed to buy more. Wed Dec 15 02:35:24 -0800 2004 1399186 0 livinginparis 2 1399208 sorry, I meant to add to that first sentence that I've been to tastings in both places without planning ahead and had no problem tasting at least some of things I was interested in - but I didn't have my heart set on something specific. In that case, you should send an email or call. Wed Dec 15 05:37:45 -0800 2004 1399206 0 livinginparis 3 1399224 And tastings were gratis? Wed Dec 15 12:18:57 -0800 2004 1399208 0 Poot 4 1399443 nearly all were free. I remember paying at one place - it was like 3 euros or so for 5 or 6 tastings Fri Dec 24 14:59:02 -0800 2004 1399224 0 livinginparis 1 1399246 The Boston Globe's Travel section this past Sunday had an article about wine tastings around Champagne. I'm sure you can find it online. Thu Dec 16 08:34:06 -0800 2004 1399186 0 ChrisB