CuvĂŠe
french wine + cuisine tours
Cuvée
french wine + cuisine tours Itinerary: September 2014
Cuvée Tours
Detailed Activities for Cuvée: French Wine + Cuisine Tours: Bienvenue! Cuvée Tours are located in the heart of the Languedoc wine-growing region, near the artistic enclave of Pézenas and 30km from the Mediterranean.
Friday, September 12
Cuvée Tours will greet you at the Montpellier airport or train station, then we’ll drive to the gorgeous Château de Pézenas. (Due to a 4:00PM check-in time, we may stop en route to relax in a café). Let the jet lag slip away as we sip wine on the terrace, or take a dip in the pool. We’ll end the day with dinner in the lovely, historic town of Pezenas.
Cuvée
french wine + cuisine tours Itinerary: September 2014 Saturday, September 13
Pezenas, our “home” town, hosts one of the largest village markets in this region. We’ll start the day with breakfast at the Château, taking in the beautiful view from the terrace, then spend hours browsing the colorful stalls that line Rue Jean Jaurès. You’ll find everything from artisan cheeses and handmade charcuterie to locally grown olives & fresh-caught seafood. Put together an impromptu picnic from the many vendors (we adore the poulet rôti direct from the mobile rotisserie) or find a café for lunch, followed by a walking tour of the medieval center of this historic town. Return to the Château in late afternoon, where you’ll have time to relax by the pool. At day’s end, we’ll transform our market goods into a delicious 4 course dinner, complete with regional wine. If you are so inclined, join us in the kitchen!
Cuvée
french wine + cuisine tours Itinerary: September 2014
Sunday, September 14
After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll head north into the foothills of the Black Mountains for an olive oil tasting, then take in a wine tasting in St Chinian, famous for its own AOC of delicious red varietals. We’ll have lunch in St Chinian, then head back to the Château for some down time by the pool.
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Our day will end with a wine tasting like you’ve never experienced, as our dear friends, Christian & Régine, present some of the finest wines of the Faugères appellation. This is more than a wine tasting - Christian will regale us with the history & lore of Languedoc wines, and is always happy to answer questions about his own vignoble. This will befollowed by a five course dinner with paired wines at La Vigneronne, prepared by Régine.
Cuvée
french wine + cuisine tours Itinerary: September 2014 Monday, September 15
Montpellier has been called the “Paris of the South”, and with good reason. With its magnificent, café-lined Place de la Comédie, cobbled streets with inviting boutiques, vibrant student population and sun-drenched ambience, this city will captivate you. Optional activities include an English-spoken tour of the ancient quartier of the city, visits to some of the fine museums, or just spending the day in the charming, shop-lined streets of this, our favorite city in the South of France.
We’ll spend the better part of the day here, followed by a visit to the Picpoul de Pinet AOC region with dinner in Bouzigues, the oyster capital of the Languedoc.
Cuvée
french wine + cuisine tours Itinerary: September 2014 Tuesday, September 16
Are there ever too many markets to visit? Of course not! So today we’ll travel west into the Minervois region and take in the Olonzac market, another must-see event in the Aude department of Languedoc. This weekly farmer’s market fills the winding streets of the village with the finest quality regional, handcrafted foods & local produce. After the market we continue our exploration of this gastronomically rich area, perhaps with a visit to working chèvre farm or L’Oulibo – an olive oil mill just outside Bize-Minervois - perfect to discover all the products of the olive tree. Sample the Lucques olives (a local specialty) or the delicious honey scented with the taste of the garrigue (herbs & flowers of the region). We’ll spend a leisurely day exploring the food & wine of the Minervois, concluding our day with a visit to one of our favorite chefs in the tiny town of Beaufort for an exquisitly prepared dinner of regional specialties.
Wednesday, September 17
Without fail, Collioure is the highlight of every tour we’ve led since 2007. With its pastel-hued houses, quay-side cafés, and brightly colored fishing boats, Collioure is the perfect place to spend a Mediterranean day. We’ll arrive in time for the weekly market, followed by lunch in the restaurant of your choice. This Catalan enclave in France is well known for its unique cuisine that features seafood fresh from the sea. Our favorite tapas restaurant, Le Comptoir, serves up a Catalan-French fusion that should not be missed. Optional activities: Check out the restaurant, Les Templiers, where works of Picasso & Manet grace the walls, or perhaps join us on a culinary journey into the region with visits to anchovy shops (Collioure is famous for these tasty delicacies ), or a guided trip high into the mountains for an AOC wine tasting you will never forget. Feel free to browse the shop-lined streets, or spend the day on the beaches if you need some down-time.
Cuvée
french wine + cuisine tours Itinerary: September 2014
We say au revoir to beautiful Collioure in the late afternoon, and end the evening with dinner in Beziers, famous for its Cathedral that towers over the River Orb and home to numerous traditional bistros that feature delicious, authentic cuisine.
Thursday, September 18
After the activity of the last few days, we’ll move at a slower pace. For those who are feeling energetic, we’ll make a short trip to the Mediteranean beaches. Alternately, we’ll offer a final shopping foray into Pézenas, a local mecca for French antiquities. In the late afternoon, meet us poolside for wine & appetizers. Dinner at a regional restaurant.
Cuvée
french wine + cuisine tours Itinerary: September 2014 Friday, September 19
Departure. Drinks, croissants & fruit will be available in the kitchen. Since the main flight from Montpellier to Paris departs at 7:20 AM, we’ll be leaving the Château at approximately 5:00 AM. Please note that, for those of you who might be leaving at a later time by train, this is the only departure time. Please plan your post-tour schedule accordingly. We wish you bon voyage & bonne route!
Please Note: The itinerary is subject to change, based on factors such as restaurant availability and logistics. We will immediately update if any changes are made. The dinners covered with the tour fee are: Saturday at the Château, and the dinner at La Vigneronne. All other dinners and all lunches are optional, meaning that they are not covered with the tour cost. For these meals, you have the option of dining with your hosts, or at any restaurant of your choosing. All breakfasts at the chateau are covered.