Arguably the world’s best cuisine, certainly some of its finest wines, historic towns, charming villages, glorious and ever-changing countryside – Burgundy’s offer is hard to resist, Rolling hills, vast forests, shimmering lakes and lots of sunshine are all in the mix and then there’s that priceless extra ingredient of Burgundian hospitality.
These are people who have long had a soft-spot for entertaining visitors, especially Brits. After all, weren’t they on our side against the French kings for most of the Hundred Years War?
It is, of course, wine that has sealed that pact of friendship and, after too long a spell being overshadowed by youthful challengers from the New World, the big, rounded reds and exquisitely complex whites of Burgundy are making a welcome and overdue comeback to favour. “Sunshine in a bottle”, “Smooth as black satin sheets” – the epithets are many and slip off the tongue as easily as these wonderful wines slip down the throat.
Pleasant to sip in the garden on a beautiful summer’s day, perfect to accompany a family gathering round a table laden with good food, the great wines of Burgundy are also the ultimate for corporate entertaining. And what better way to entertain clients and reward staff than to take them on a wine and gastronomy tour of France’s most bountifully endowed region?
Based in the little Côte d’Nuits town of Gevrey Chambertin – and there’s a name to be conjured with by wine connoisseurs – Tours et Detours (www.toursetdetours.com) is an agency that specialises in wine tourism.
“Imagine travelling along the legendary ‘Route des Grand Crus’, enjoying a tasting with the fabled vines of Romanée Conti as a backdrop, or framed by the wonderful interiors of the hallowed Château de Clos Vouget,” enthuses director Marie Tesson, adding, “The magnificently restored L’Abbaye de la Bussiere, run so ably by the same English family who own Amberley Castle in Sussex, is another perfect setting and their young chef has just attained well earned Michelin Star status.
“We can stage a theatrical evening under the famous patterned tile roof of the Hospices de Beaune or arrange an amusing wine themed treasure trail between Pommard and Mersault, at the heart of the Côte de Beaune. Other options include a rally in authentic old army Jeeps to discover the vineyards of the Côtes de Nuits or a wine casino event at the Relais et Châteaux member L’Hostellerie de Levernois.”
Along with all those great vintages, visitors to Burgundy can discover the gastronomic delights of inventive modern cooking (more Michelin stars than any other region), counterpointed by the classic regional dishes prepared ‘à la façon de ma mere’ (‘the way my mother made them’). To the familiar boeuf bourgoignon ,coq au vin and Dijon mustard can be added such less well-known delights as gougeres (little pastries filled with cheese), jambon persillé (succulent ham coated with spices and herbs) and pain d’épices (gingerbread),
As an aperitif, nothing serves better than a kir, made with white wine to which a dash of locally produced crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) has been added, or, even better, a kir royale, created with Crêmante de Bourgogne sparkling wine and, for a special touch, with crème de Mûre substituted for the cassis.
Burgundy’s attractions are manifold and most of them are associated with good living, fresh air and the great outdoors.
There are 800 km of pleasant cycle routes along dedicated tracks and quiet green roads, using canal and river footpaths, disused railway lines, vineyard tracks and little trafficked byways. Or you can cruise at a snail’s pace along 1,200 km of lovingly restored canals and navigable rivers and see great towns like Dijon and Chalons sur Sâone from a very different perspective.
Early morning and late evening hot-air balloon excursions are truly magical while golfers will find championship standard 18-hole challenges awaiting them.
For a truly enticing option, extend your trip to take in a prepared itinerary that adds the neighbouring wine regions of Champagne and Alsace.
An ultimate memory to take home? As the sun slowly sinks in the west, stroll leisurely across the vast wrought-iron acquaduct that carries the Canal de Bourgogne across the gentle River Sâone, Champagne glass in hand, taking an occasional top-up from the waiter on the private cruiser gliding along slowly by your side.
