Snooth Talk: October In Bourgogne

Wine & Travel

: October In Bourgogne; Posted by StellaBlue76, Sep 1.; Heya, Snoothers! I'm taking myself on a 'lil gastronomical/enological tour of the general Burgundy region in mid-October, and am digging for tips. This is a trip devoted entirely to delights of the tastebuds - there will be no stop-offs at the Louvre - and I'll be driving, so off-the-beaten-path vineyards and restaurants are welcome suggestions!!

I'll be staying in Cote d'Or (between Beaune and Dijon) for two days, in Rhone-Alpes for one day (b/w Macon & Lyon), then back up to Chablis for two more days, Champagne-Ardenne (near the Seine) for two more days, then Paris for two days.

So? Whaddya think? Thanks in advance for all your worldly knowledge!

35 19: Reply by Quentin4, Sep 2.; Hi!
Sounds like a real fun trip! I can suggest if you have a good budget a little but chic hotel in Beaune called Le Cep. (I think they only have suites and its part of the Small leading hotel of the world) I stayed there with my better half last time I went to Beaune and it was a really nice experience. Very old school France, with a really charming place and right in the old Beaune. There is a great restaurant inside the hotel, called L'Oiseau des Jardins I think, which was open by Bernard Loiseau's wife Dominique. (He was the most iconic french chef in the history and created la nouvelle cuisine Francaise. Unfortunatly he commited suicide in 2003. Probably the inspiration of the animation movie Ratatouille).

And if you have a really good budget, then you can swing by a place called Hôtel Restaurant Trois gros (address: Place Jean Troisgros 42300 Roanne) outside Lyon. this is probably the best French restaurant in France! (and Loiseau was trainned there by the two brother's who founded this institution of French culinary)

My choices might sound a little out there, but we only live once ;o)

Anyway, hope this can help...
Quentin

5 61: Reply by po54, Sep 4.; I recommend you :
- In Beaune, Loiseau des Vignes (not Loiseau des Jardins, as Quentin called it above...)
31 rue Maufoux, 21200 Beaune Tel. : 03 80 24 12 06
Menus : 38, 45 and 59 euros or at lunch, the Menu du Marché at 23 and 28 euros
- Le Pot d'Etain in L'Isle sur Serein (89440), which offers you the brightest and the largest bourgogne wines choice in the world ! More than 2 200 wines on the menus !!!
Very reasonnable prices for the quality !
Menu Variation, du Terroir is 26 euros, The Notre Formule is 35 euros.
Rooms are 60 and 80 euros.
The owner, Alain PECHERY, spend his time visiting France winemakers to buy the best wines !
http://www.potdetain.com/

In Chablis, go to the Domaine Daniel-Etienne DEFAIX (14 rue Auxerroise).
You can taste there.
Try the Chablis Vieilles vignes 2006 at 13 euros and the Chablis 1er cru "Vaillon" 2000 at 24 euros.

Bon voyage ! :-)

20 33: Reply by Greg Roberts, Sep 4.; There are some great hotels situated along the wine route or the N74. I don't have any recommendations but I recently stayed in a 'gite' or bed and breakfast (it only rents by the week normally) in Vosne Ronanée. Nothing like being able to take a late night or early morning walk in the hillside vineyards-including those of Domaine Romanée Conti.

Otherwise Beaune is a great base of operations. I wouldn't bother with the visit to the caves Patriarche which is advertised everywhere there - the wines are mediocre.

The Beaune tourist office is a great resource for organizing your visit. http://www.beaune-tourism.com/

Unlike Bordeaux and Champagne many of the best producers are almost hidden with sometimes modest wineries. Be sure to contact any specific wineries you want to visit in advance to set up an appointment.

I would also recommend visiting Clos Vougeot to see the 12th century cellars, enormous basket presses and the vineyards. http://www.tastevin-bourgogne.com/Anindex2.htm?membrecours=0

5 61: Reply by po54, Sep 4.; I forgot to give you the Gites de France in Cote d'or website :
http://www.gites-de-france-cotedor.com/
English version : http://webitea-21-gdfete-anglais.gl.itea.fr/page_web.php?page=accueil.html&dpt=21&DEP=21&LOOK=GDFETE&LAN=AN
I refined the search with rooms in vineyards :
http://www.gites-de-france-cotedor.com/liste?LNO=1027,1068,1160,1202,1211,1262,1302
Unfortunateky, only in french :-(
A Gite is an accomodation for a full week, a Chambre d'Hôtes (B&B) is booked for a night or several. It's like an hotel but at a people's home. Usually, the breakfast is include.
The best way to discover an area and its inhabitants.