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It's not dificult for an American wine lover, serious or amateur, to visit wineries in this country. The wineries have learned that tasting wines where they're made promotes the product and helps build brand loyalty. Paying a visit to a winery usually leaves a memory with a smile.
But in Europe, it's been a different story. Historically, the areas that produced wine drank wine. It was axiomatic that if you made good wine, that was all it took to sell it, word of mouth. But it's the 21st Century and wine-curious visitors to France now have, for what is possibly the first time, a book that is a guide to cellars that are open to guests and a calendar of other vino-centric events.
Those smart folks at the BIVB, the office that promotes the wines of Burgundy, have produced an 88-page bilingual book that does just that. Addresses, phone numbers and websites, languages spoken at the cave, whether they sell on-site and what the price range is, and whether there's food and even lodging available. All the participating wineries have agreed to have at least one wine available for sampling. All this is rather new to French winemaking. But what a tool it'll make for the traveler, with maps and itineraries.
It's available on their website and by requesting one from the Burgundy Wine Board, the BIVB. It's printed both in French and in English and it's free. Burgundy is a glorious part of France, with wonderful food and plenty to see. And if you go, don't miss the Hospice de Beaune with its history and traditional tiled roof.
