Cycling Holidays France » Articles » Le Tasting Room (January 2012)
France and wine has always had a close relationship, but how do you mix this with a cycling holiday in a safe and memorable way?
Wine has always been an important part of life in the Loire Valley and as part of our french cycling holidays we've always tried to give guests an opportunity to sample the local produce. However, with vineyard's haphazard opening hours, the growers' busy schedules and the difficulty of buying while touring on a bike, we've always felt the wine tasting has always been a hit and miss affair.
To remedy this and turn the wine element of our french cycling holidays into something
really special, we've teamed up with Cathy and Nigel Henton at 'Le Tasting Room'
to offer a truly unique wine related experience on our cycling holidays in France.
Even if you don't enjoy wine, drink or don't think you're interested -
As one of our cycling tour guests, we will send you out on a fantastic morning ride along the Authion river; atmospheric, quiet and flat, with parts of the river resembling Holland. You then cross the Loire at Gennes, where the Saumur cavalry cadets held the German Army at bay for four days after the fall of France in 1940, and shortly after arrive just before lunch, to be entertained by Cathy and Nigel.
Be welcomed with aperitifs and then relax over a three course lunch as Cathy and Nigel explain how wine making is undertaken in the Loire Valley, debunk wine myths and with a sense of fun take you through a tasting of a wide variety of Loire Valley whites, reds, roses and cremants. You'll have the chance to buy what you try, with the added benefit that we will transport the wine and you back to our base at Gue de Ray.
Armed with 'Le Tasting Room's' knowledge, you will be well armed when you drop in on the vineyards you pass on the rest of your week on our Loire Valley cycling tour!
See more on our day at Le Tasting Room by clicking here
French Cycling Holidays from LoireLife
Explore the Loire Valley!
