Burgundy wine tour

Burgundy Wine Tour November 2024

FOR THE WEEKEND OF VENTE DES VINS AND THE TROIS GLORIEUSES

BURGUNDY – THURSDAY 14th TO MONDAY 18th NOVEMBER 2024

Over the third weekend of November, the vignerons of Burgundy and the great and good of the wine trade gather in the town of Beaune for “Les Trois Glorieuses”, a great, three-day harvest festival.  There are bands and parades, street entertainers, market stalls, a half-marathon through the vineyards, countless opportunities to taste wine and menus gastronomique in all the restaurants.  A good time is had by all.

One of the main events of the weekend is the Vente de Vin, an auction of wines from vineyards bequeathed to the Hospice de Beaune, a charitable institution founded in the 15th century.  Members of the trade are invited to taste the wines to be auctioned in the modern winery built by the Hospice on the outskirts of the town and potential buyers get the opportunity to taste at specific tastings in town.

For a privileged minority, the other main events of the weekend are three sumptuous banquets.  The first takes place at Clos Vougeot on the Saturday evening.  You need to be a Chevalier du Tastevin or a Chevalier’s guest to get into this one.  The second takes place, after the charity auction, in the Hospice de Beaune on the Sunday evening.  You need to join a long waiting list to become a patron of this one.  The third starts at mid-day on the Monday at the Château de Meursault.  This is the one the vignerons go to and is a rather more relaxed affair.  Every vigneron attending takes an armful of his or her best bottles to share.  The celebration goes on until the last bottle has been consumed.

For wine lovers, a visit to Beaune for the weekend of the Trois Glorieuses and the Vente des Vin, is an absolute must at least once in a lifetime.

Because we have such good contacts in Beaune, we are able to offer a tour that will include access to a number of tastings not open to the general public, accommodation in what is generally agreed to be the best hotel in the town and places at the black-tie dinner in the Hospice de Beaune on the Sunday evening.

The tour starts and finishes in Beaune, which means that participants need to make their own travel arrangements.  Probably the best way to go is by car.  It’s motorway all the way from Calais and so not a difficult drive.  And having a car there means you will be able to take wine home, if you wish.   Flying to Lyon and hiring a car is an alternative.  Beaune is a comfortable two-hour drive by motorway from Lyon Airport.  If you don’t want to drive, it is possible to travel by high speed train to Dijon (changing stations in Paris).  There is then a good local service down the Côte d’Or to Beaune.

You will stay in the 5 Star Hotel Le Cep, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of The World group.  Le Cep has a private and secure car park and a magnificent Spa.

    Outline itinerary

    Thursday 14th November 2024

    We meet at the Hotel Le Cep, our base for 4 nights, in the centre of Beaune, at 7.45pm, for a get together and drink and introduction to Burgundy for those that have not been there.  We will then walk to dinner at one of the well known local restaurants close to the hotel.

    Friday 15th November 2024

    We have organized a visit and tasting in the vicinity of Beaune at a boutique producer followed by a light lunch nearby.  In the afternoon we shall travel again in the vicinity of Beaune to visit another independent producer. On all our visits there should be an opportunity to buy wine at keen prices.  We shall return to Hotel Le Cep and meet up to dine at another excellent restaurant in Beaune.

    Driving in Beaune during the weekend is very difficult as many roads are closed for festivities within the town.  Many of the well-known producers open their extensive cellars offering an opportunity to taste older vintages of Burgundian wines so we spend the next two days in the town itself where we can enjoy all the festivities.

    Saturday 16th November 2024

    Today there will be plenty of options to taste a complete range of wines from both one of the excellent large negociants with the chance to taste some mature wines followed by a visit to one of the smaller family producers situated in the town itself.

    We shall return to Hotel Le Cep and meet up later on for a gourmet dinner in a high class restaurant a short walk from our hotel.

    Sunday 17th November 2024

    We will visit one of the legendary negociants late morning followed by another tasting in the centre of Beaune. There will then be time to enjoy the festivities in Beaune or watch the auction taking place before preparing for the Black-Tie Gala Dinner at the Hotel Dieu, Hospices de Beaune where both food and wines are legendary!

    Monday 19th November 2024

    After a leisurely breakfast, we will each make our way back home (or stop somewhere else should you desire).

    Changes to the itinerary: Please note that, on rare occasions, we may have to make changes to the itinerary for reasons beyond our control.

    Reserve a place

    Like more details?

    Call or email Vivienne Franks, Malcolm Franks or Sandy Leckie

    07802 944 920 (Sandy)

    07734 975 878 (Malcolm)

    07931 796 614 (Vivienne)

    info@goodwinetours.com

    Tour cost

    £2449 (guide price) per person sharing a twin or double-bedded room

    Because accommodation in Beaune is in short supply over the weekend of the festival, booking double rooms for single occupation incurs a high premium.  If you are a single traveler and would like to join this tour, we will contact the hotel to find out what the single supplement will be and advise on other options.

    What's included

    • 4 nights bed and breakfast at Le Cep, including local taxes and car parking in the hotel car park
    • 1 lunch, and 3 dinners with good quality wines in good restaurants in Beaune
    • The Gala Dinner in the Hospice de Beaune on the Sunday evening
    • All visits and tastings
    • The services of Vivienne and Malcolm Franks as your wine guide and tour manager

    Not included

    • Travel to and from Beaune
    • Drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
    • Telephone calls and other items of personal expenditure charged to your hotel account

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