The ultimate guide to wine tasting tours in France

Planning a trip to France next spring and I really want to dive deep into the country's best wine regions without feeling rushed. I am trying to figure out whether I should base myself in Bordeaux or Burgundy for a first-timer, or if branching out to the Rhône Valley or Alsace is a better move. Could someone share the ultimate guide or itinerary tips for booking vineyard tours, handling wine shipping back home, and general etiquette for cellar door tastings?

As a first-timer, starting in Burgundy is amazing if you love Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but Bordeaux is much easier to navigate with public transport and larger estates. If you are coming from outside the EU, definitely check this Schengen Visa guide before booking your flights!

For cellar door etiquette, always make sure to book your appointments at least a few weeks in advance. Walk-ins are rarely accepted at the top Châteaux in Bordeaux or the prestigious Domaines in Burgundy.

Alsace is heavily underrated for a spring trip! The wine route is gorgeous, the food has this amazing French-German fusion, and it feels much less crowded than the major Bordeaux hubs.

When it comes to shipping wine back home, most reputable estates will handle the paperwork and logistics for you via specialized freight companies, though it can get quite pricey.

If you want to branch out, the Northern Rhône offers some of the most breathtaking vineyard views in the country, especially around Tain-l'Hermitage.

Make sure you don't wear heavy perfumes or colognes when visiting tasting rooms. It ruins the olfactory experience for everyone else trying to appreciate the terroir in the glass.

Speaking of culinary experiences, if you ever decide to pivot your trip south towards the Mediterranean, you might love these coastal town recommendations for a relaxing beach getaway after all the heavy wine tasting.

Bordeaux is grand and majestic, but Burgundy feels much more intimate. You get to meet the actual winemakers and growers running family operations that have lasted for centuries.

Don't feel pressured to swallow every pour! Every tasting room will provide a spittoon (crachoir). It is completely normal and expected to use it, especially if you are visiting four or five estates in a single day.

Before planning your wine trip, if you are also considering crossing the border into neighboring regions for food, you should definitely look into some great Italian culinary tours to round out your European vacation.