Dreaming of getting away?

Here are 6 suggestions for cities that make a great weekend break - and wines to make you think of them

Bordeaux

A wonderful city to visit. Historic buildings, fine wine, buzzing brasseries, the world's most famous Chateaux and much more. 

The Bar à Vin run by the CIVB is a great place to try Bordeaux wine by the glass with a plate of cheese or charcuterie (http://baravin.bordeaux.com)

The Cité de Vin is a fantastic museum about the world of wine. In fact the term museum doesn't really do it justice. It's an experience of interactive and video exhibits. Enjoy a glass in the roof-bar.

The famous Chateaux of the Medoc are spectacular but if you haven’t got an invitation to one of these head for Saint Emilion. This town is one of the most characterful in all of Europe. The countryside is beautiful, and you can easily pass by famous and spectacular Chateaux.

For more information on a short break in Bordeaux check out this article from Anthony Peregrine, or the city's tourist office site.

Lyon

France’s gastronomic capital (whatever Parisiens say). Have a lunchtime snack at the Bocuse market and then check out one of the great chef’s restaurants in the evening. If you can’t get a table at a 3 star restaurant the simple brasseries are also good.
Our Macon Roche Vineuse Blanc is exactly the style of House wine you will find in the city’s brasseries.

Nantes

A city with a proud maritime and industrial heritage. The La Cigale Bistro is a favourite place to enjoy Muscadet and the local seafood. If you can’t make it visit your local fishmonger and order some Domaine Salmon Muscadet.

Perpignan

The proud capital of French Catalonia. Visit the nearby beautiful seaside town of Collioure, much loved by artists. The old vines of the region produce wonderfully full red wines with fantastic character, such as Domaine Trilles Carignan "A naturally intense, concentrated wine made from century-old Carignan vines" Tom Canavan's wine of the week August 2017

Tours

Only a short rail trip from Paris. Sample the local goats cheese and charcuterie. Visit the nearby Chateaux de Chenonceaux and enjoy the local Sauvignon. For a taste try
Domaine de La Chaise Sauvignon "lots of zing, energy, spicy pink grapefruit, gooseberry, pear and nettle flavours and more charm than many a more expensive Sancerre" The Wine Gang, July 2017

Montpellier
Montpellier is a bustling university city full of lively bars and restaurants. Around it is a plethora of wine regions with more and more organic wine producers, such as
Chateau Montfin in the Corbieres.