F or wine lovers, few places are more iconic than France. Getting off the tourist track and bumping along country roads to reach these 13 small towns is more than worth it for wine lovers. We hope you love the stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book. The region is one of the most famous in France for the high quality wines produced and exported from here since at least the s though like much of France, vineyards were introduced by the Ancient Romans more than 1, years earlier and they, too, recognized how the area has prime grape-growing conditions.
Catholic monks managed the vineyards and studied the best land for grapes through the Middle Ages for wines for the church and the Dukes of Burgundy. After the French Revolution, the land went back to the people. Location and terroir play just as important a role today as they did half a millennium ago. The small town of Beaune has long been at the heart of the wine trade in Burgundy and played a crucial role in moving Burgundian wine around the world. Those join more than 40 Premier Cru vineyards making crisp chardonnays and complex pinot noirs.
Despite the chardonnay dominance at the echelon of producers, more than 70 percent of the vineyards in Beaune are dedicated to pinot noir. Beaune has an impressive amount of tourism infrastructure for a small town thanks to its central role in the wine trade and its reputation among wine lovers.
Many wineries in and around Beaune offer tours and tastings. Be sure to visit the Hospices de Beaune for a look into the wine commerce history here. While there are certainly enough wineries to fill multiple trip itineraries in Beaune alone, the proximity to classic villages like Meursault and Pommard make Beaune somewhere that can serve as a base for the wider region, too.
By train is the best way to get to Beaune. The local station connects to major cities in France and is about 2. Driving along the A6 is another option, or flying into the Dijon-Bourgogne Airport and driving from there. Bergerac sits in southwestern France along the Dordogne River. Aside from its wine, the town is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and half-timbered houses.
