The Grands Crus Wine Route is the ‘Champs-Elysées’ of the Burgundy Wine Route:
Burgundy is one of France’s main wine producing areas and its vineyards, stretching some 250 kms from north to south, are the source of some of the most prestigious wines in the world. Naturally many visitors come to Burgundy in search of the fine Burgundy wines and wine tourism is big business. Of the many wine routes that visitors can explore, the prize route is the Route des Grands Crus or Grands Crus Wine Route.
The Grands Crus Wine Route
The Grands Crus wine route which covers the world’s greatest wines is sometimes called the Champs-Elysées of Burgundy. This 80 kms noble route follows the wine-growing slopes from Dijon to Santenay and passes through world-famous villages such as Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Aloxe-Corton, Beaune, and Pommard.
Along the Grands Crus wine route, visitors have the opportunity to visit premium Burgundy vineyards and sample the wines. At the wineries, you will be able to meet the people whose work define these unique vineyards and their particular patch of terroirs. Each vineyard has its own secrets, traditions and special techniques and in the sanctuary of their wine cellars, most of which are open all year round, the wine-growers will explain all the nuances of their wines, their colours and noses. It is recommended that you contact them before visiting out of respect for their work, especially during the grape harvest season in September and October.
The Grands Crus wine route is beautiful all year round. In addition to wine production, the area offers fine food and culture.
The Grands Cru wine route is located 1 hour 40 minutes from Paris by TGV and 1 hour 30 minutes from Lyon. You can explore the remarkable landscapes along the Grands Crus trail on foot, or follow the specially designed bike route in the Beaunois area from Beaune to Santenay, or by car.
Burgundy Wine Tours
Alternatively, from Dijon, there are a couple of wine tours that you can join which will journey through the vineyards of the Cote de Nuits wine district, traveling through the villages of Fixin, Gevrey- Chambertin, Morey Saint Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot, Vosne-Romanee and Nuits St Georges on the Route des Grands Crus and along small vineyard roads. One these tours, your wine specialist-guide will explain the different varieties and wine qualities as well as different tasks performed throughout the year to care for the vines, the harvest, and historical aspects of the vines and villages. The tour stops for a guided cellar visit and comprehensive wine tasting where everything you’ve learned throughout the day comes together. See here for wine tours >
See Travelsignposts Côte d’Or wine tour and wine-tasting visits HERE.
Leave a Reply