A Unique Way to Discover the Wine of Burgundy

Wine, food and travel go hand in hand, and what better way to spend your holiday than indulging in all three on one of the many wonderful river cruises in Europe? From classic journeys to special interest holidays, there are some fabulous river cruises in Europe to choose from. If you have a particular interest in wine, why not try one of the fine wine tours aimed at offering wine appreciation experiences to a huge variety of destinations throughout the continent? The Wonderful Wines of the Burgundy Region Burgundy is one of France’s finest wine growing regions and a popular destination for river cruises. In Europe there are thousands of kilometres of canals, lakes, rivers and lagoons that provide routes for holidays on water, but the Canal du Midi (which has been navigated for over three hundred years) marks the perfect path through the best vineyards and producers in the Burgundy area.

The wines of Burgundy and Bordeaux could not be more different in terms of their basic production. The wines that we know and love from the Bordeaux region are classic reds produced on large estates, whereas the Burgundy vintages are produced by a variety of small scale growers who may make several different wines on often small pieces of land.

As you meander through Burgundy on its waterways, you will learn the region can clearly be divided into regions in terms of wine production. Although the climate throughout is continental, with cold winters and hot summers with plenty of rain, the districts are still quite distinct.

Chablis is in the north of the region and is best known for its dry whites, while the Cote de Nuits area is home to the great Burgundian reds. Some white is produced here but the red is the crowning glory in this particular area. Highlights of A Wine Cruise in Burgundy To discover the wines of Burgundy, your floating hotel will take you through Chablis, Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits. While on board you will have the opportunity to sample wines from local producers, visit winemakers and enjoy private wine tastings too. Your tour will be accompanied by an expert wine guide who will take you through the organised itinerary and introduce you to all of the wines of the region. With opportunities to taste Premier and Grand Cru vintages, these wine focused tours are perfect for the discerning lover of finer things in life. River cruises in Europe are becoming ever more popular, and if you are looking for something a little different for your next holiday, they offer the ideal option. Combining luxury, class and a unique travel experience, they can be tailored to suit all manner of tastes.

Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways, a provider of luxury, all-inclusive barge holidays. If you're looking for river cruises in Europe we offer experiences in France, Holland, Italy and the UK.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.