Wine Tours
NEWS LETTER AND AVAILABILITY 2017 Dear Travellers, A hearty Arblaster & Clarke welcome to our latest newsletter, and to a brand new year of oenological discovery — we hope you’ll welcome us in saying ‘salud’, ‘saúde’, ‘iechyd da’ or just plain ‘cheers!’ to another twelve months of wonderful wines and tremendous tours. If, after the homely cosiness of Christmas and the new year, your feet are already itching and your wanderlust is in full swing, take a look at our spring tours on p.2. Here, we’ve put together a small selection of journeys departing in March, April and May to corners of the world both far-flung and close to home. Why not see what all the fuss is about with a sip of English sparkling wine among the slopes of the South Downs, or visit the home of our favourite fortified wine in the Douro Valley? And if you need a little more
help narrowing down your next wine tour destination, you’re in luck — turn to our Where to Drink in 2017 guide on p.4 for inspiration. Of course, it’s all very well and good daydreaming about destinations and picking what to pack, but what if your chosen tour is full? We know, it doesn’t bear thinking about! Luckily, we’ve thought it all through — that’s why we’ve enclosed a full availability sheet for all our 2017 tours. Finally, we’ve dedicated a whole page (p.8, to be exact) to a brand new departure of one of our absolute favourite tours — Chile, Argentina & Uruguay. The first one was phenomenally popular, so don’t miss out! As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions. We look forward to hearing from you!
Arblaster & Clarke – Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.
Spring Tours
Fresh mornings, new flowers...a little springtime weather is hard to beat. Imagine yourself enjoying it in one of our destinations, and you’ll soon be springing into action. You’ve heard of Paris in Spring, but what about Burgundy or Beaune? South Africa or...erm, Sussex? The coming season isn’t just bursting with new life and new growth — take a look at our tour calendar, and you’ll see it’s bursting with opportunity, too. Sample a sparkling little something in the South Downs, try the fruit of volcanic vines in Sicily, taste the terroir in Burgundy, and much more...
is the time of plans and “ Spring projects — Leo Tolstoy ”
South Africa
The Story of Sicily
The oldest country in the New World
An ancient viticultural haven
◊ Taste centuries of vinicultural prowess in sumptuous wines from a huge variety of grapes ◊ Explore Montagu, Stellenbosch and Riebeek, and join a game drive at a nearby wildlife sanctuary
◊ Sample the wines of Mount Etna, rendered unique by the incredible volcanic soil of its terroir ◊ Explore Siracusa, where ancient ruins and a great Greek theatre rise from lush citrus orchards
3rd – 11th March, 2017 | £3,395
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3rd – 8th April, 2017 | £2,245
Arblaster & Clarke – Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.
Introduction to Champagne
Vineyards of Sussex & Kent
Sample sublime Champagnes in the spring
Savour the sparkle in the South Downs
◊ Get properly acquainted with our favourite destination in the world ◊ Start off with a Champagne breakfast, and take our favourite bottles home with you at the end
◊ Discover the delights of one of the fastest-growing wine industries in the world ◊ Enjoy all the scenic and gastronomic pleasures of continental living — here in the English countryside
7 – 9 April, 2017 | £595
27th – 29th April, 2017 | £795
Galicia & the Douro Valley
Burgundy
Veni, Vidi, Valley
First eastern France, then the world...
◊ Experience the best of both worlds on a borderhopping trip between Spain and Portugal ◊ Sample wonderful world-famous and under-theradar wines, from Port to Touriga Nacional
◊ Enjoy the privilege of tasting these wines, completely influenced by their terroir ◊ Explore Burgundy’s miles of vineyard, Medieval abbeys, regal châteaux and charming cobbled streets
17th – 23rd April, 2017 | £2,195
01730 263111
8th – 13th May, 2017 | £2,245
contact@winetours.co.uk
www.winetours.co.uk
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The First Growths of Bordeaux The best of the best of the crème de la creme — wineries of world renown await
Choices, choices...
The very finest
Ultimate Tuscany
Simply sensational Super Tuscans and classic Chianti
Ultimate Champagne
An utterly effervescent take on the very best of the region
Piedmont
Where smooth urban elegance meets rustic charm
I’m loo for
Something classic
The Rhône Valley Burgundy
World-famous appellations in captivating landscapes
Taste the terroir in this celebrated region
A touch of culture The Story of Georgia
Go back to where it all began in the alleged birthplace of wine...
The Story of Tuscany
A Tuscan tale of Renaissance, revolution, and (of course) reds.
A hidden gem
New Year in Budapest
Raise a glass to a ‘Boldog Új Évet Kívánok!’ in Hungary
A little something extra Wine of the Gods
Combining the vine and the divine in Sicily’s ancient landscapes
New Year in Venice
Herald the arrival of ‘un anno seren’ in the heart of Venice
Pompeii & Amalfi
The Story of Rome
Sample la dolce vita (and some delicious wines) in Italy’s capital
The Story of Greece Mythic meets modern in this cult wine wonderland
How the Romans’ ‘happy countryside’ helped kickstart a wine legacy
The Loire Châteaux
Noble houses of the Loire’s past; great grapes of its present
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Arblaster & Clarke – Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.
If you need a little help choosing your next tour, then why not give our handy chart a spin?
Sparkling Champagne Weekends
Short (but very sweet) Champagne getaways throughout the year
Introduction to Champagne
oking r...
Get acquainted with our favourite region — with the utmost style.
A glass (or two) of...
Vineyards of Sussex & Kent Sample the excellent sparklers on offer in the rolling South Downs
White
Prosecco Weekend
A whirlwind introduction to the delicious fizz in lovely Veneto
The Story of Champagne & Chablis
Port
Combining two of France’s most beloved wines — the perfect blend
Red
Galicia & the Douro Valley
A border-hopping journey and delectable discoveries...
The Story of Rioja
See a mosaic of ancient influence in northern Spain
Bordeaux
A far-flung adventure
A tale of two halves — or rather, of two banks...
Chile, Argentina & Uruguay Savour big, bold wines and even bigger landscapes in South America
New Zealand
The most diverse of destinations with a flair for Sauvignon Blanc
South Africa
Possibly the oldest wine destination in the New World
01730 263111
contact@winetours.co.uk
www.winetours.co.uk
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2017 CALENDAR Take a look at the year ahead in wine tours Date
T ype Name
Region
Availability
February 13 – 26
Chile, Argentina & Uruguay
Chile, Argentina & Uruguay
Fully booked!
19 – 4 Mar
New Zealand
New Zealand
Last spaces — book now!
South Africa
South Africa
Last spaces — book now!
3–8
The Story of Sicily
Italy
Availability
7–9
Introduction to Champagne
France
Availability
17 – 23
Galicia & The Douro Valley
Portugal
Availability
21 – 23
Prosecco Weekend
Italy
Last spaces — book now!
24 – 28
Ultimate Champagne
France
Last spaces — book now!
27 – 29
Late Spring Champagne
France
Availability
27 – 29
Vineyards of Sussex & Kent
UK
Availability
8 – 13
Original Burgundy
France
Availability
20 – 27
The Story of Georgia
Georgia
Availability
27 – 29
May Bank Holiday Champagne
France
Availability
28 – 2 Jun
The Rhône Valley
France
Availability
29 – 2 Jun
The First Growths of Bordeaux
France
Last spaces — book now!
29 – 4 Jun
Umbria
Italy
Availability
The Loire Châteaux
France
Availability
March 3 – 11 April
May
June
September 3–9
Just your type: Bespoke tours You’ve no doubt noticed that we have six types of tour, to suit all palates, but did you know there’s one more? Our Bespoke tours mean that you can design your very own wine tour, sure to hit all the right notes — just get in touch to get the ball rolling!
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Arblaster & Clarke – Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.
Date
T ype Name
Region
Availability
5 – 12
El Cid - In the Domain of Rodrigo Spain Diaz
Availability
15 – 17
Introduction to Champagne
France
Availability
23 – 30
Pompeii & Amalfi
Italy
Availability
1–6
The Story of Champagne & Chablis
France
Availability
1–6
The Story of Rioja
Spain
Availability
2–7
The Story of Rome
Italy
Availability
9 – 14
The Story of Tuscany
Italy
Availability
14 – 16
Early Autumn Champagne
France
Availability
14 – 21
Sicily - Wine of the Gods
Italy
Availability
15 – 22
The Story of Greece
Greece
Availability
17 – 21
Original Piedmont
Italy
Availability
23 – 28
Ultimate Tuscany
Italy
Availability
23 – 27
Bordeaux
France
Availability
4–6
Late Autumn Champagne
France
Availability
13 – 26
Chile, Argentina & Uruguay
Chile, Argentina & Uruguay
Availability
2–4
Pre - Christmas Champagne
France
Availability
29 – 2 Jan
New Year in Budapest
Hungary
Availability
29 – 2 Jan
New Year in Venice
Italy
Availability
October
November
December
ORIGINAL RESERVE STORY JOINT CHAMPAGNE
01730 263111
contact@winetours.co.uk
www.winetours.co.uk
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~ New Departure ~
Chile
Didn’t manage to book your place on our first, sold-out tour to Chile, Argentina & Uruguay? Not to worry, with our brand new date departing 13th November, you can still see what all the fuss is about... In Patagonia, the region covering the southernmost tip of Chile and Argentina, they have a saying: “those who hurry waste their time”. That’s why we’ve dedicated a full thirteen days to exploring all that Chile, Argentina and Uruguay have to offer, from modern cities to breathtaking landscapes millions of years in the making. And we’re not the only ones in favour of taking our time — the winemakers we visit are part of a wonderfully slow-growing and long-standing viticultural tradition in South America. Even when it comes to the process of winemaking itself, at many of the wineries we explore, organic and biodynamic principles are at play — at all of them, passionate and attentive winemakers draw the very best from their chosen grapes.
◊ Discover spectacular wines in famous regions, and dine privately as the guest of renowned estates ◊ Learn about organic and biodynamic winemaking from attentive, quality driven producers ◊ Take in the breathtaking scenery of Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, including an exciting journey through the Andes 13th – 26th November, 2017 £6,195 | SS: £1,100
What this laid-back approach also means, of course, is that we have plenty of scope to experience these three incomparable countries beyond their delicious wines. Explore vast vineyards by carriage or on horseback; take a scenic voyage across the Andes, or make yourself at home in Mendoza or Montevideo.
For further advice, information and to book, ask our in-house experts: Call: 01730 263111 Visit: www.arblasterandclarke.com Email: sales@arblasterandclarke.com 5339
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Arblaster & Clarke – Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.