Vineyard Region: Southwestern France
Appellations:
Gaillac
Cabardès
Limoux
Lodging: A historic, 17th century Benedictine abbey
This corner of France offers dramatic scenery and a variety of lusty wines. Surrounding
Albi, the birthplace of painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, the vineyards of Gaillac are
planted with mauzac grapes and make aromatic red wines. Cabardès uses more familiar
red varieties planted on hillside soils. Saving the best for last: the sparkling Blanquette de
Limoux is a widely appreciated, refreshing wine for occasions when moderate price is
more important than the prestige of costly Champagne.
Lodging is at the spectacular Abbey-Hotel in Sorèze. There are only a handful of classified
Historical Monuments where the public can actually spend the night; this is one of them.
Set on a 20-acre estate, the original abbey was established in the 8th century, along the
pilgrimage road to Compostella. Rooms are spacious and superbly decorated, overlooking
the park or the shady courtyards. The restaurant serves regional specialties with eye-
catching presentations, and the option of outside seating in good weather.
Vineyards of the Southwest
Inside the Albi-Toulouse-Carcassonne Triangle
Itinerary
Day One
- Arrival by car or train. Car rentals are available at the train stations in
Toulouse and Carcassonne.
We provide you with a detailed map to the Abbey, just under an hour away.
- Settle in at the hotel and explore the village of Sor`ze (population 2,000).
- Welcome aperitif and gourmet dinner with local wines at the hotel.
|
Day Two
- Traditional French country breakfast.
- Departure for the Gaillac appellation. For 1,000 years, wine here has been made from the mauzac and l’En
de l’El varieties. Meet the wine makers at Chateau Lastours in Lisle-sur-Tarn and the Domaine Gineste in Gaillac.
- Lunch at a wine bar in the town of Gaillac.
- Afternoon visit to the town of Albi, renowned for its magnificent cathedral and a museum devoted to
native son Toulouse-Lautrec.
- Dinner on your own.
|
Day Three
- After breakfast, a trip across the Black Mountain to discover the Cabardès vineyard. This has been an
AOC since 1999, with a surprising range of grape varieties for such a Mediterranean vineyard: 40% cabernet
sauvignon and merlot; 40% syrah and grenache; 20% cot and fer servadou.
- We’ll try to visit Chateau Venenac, Chateau Auzias and Domaine Pech-Rosiée this morning; the last in the
lovely “book village” of Montolieu.
- Lunch in Limoux, at the center of a wine region famous for its sparkling whites.
- We’ll visit the Caves Sieur d’Arques, where the wines are made using the traditional champagne method.
The grape varieties are mauzac, chardonnay and chenin blanc.
- If you’re up to it, the day can be rounded off with a detour through the vineyards of Malepère.
- Dinner back at the Abbey-Hotel.
|
Day Four
- Departure after breakfast.
|
|
Please inquire.
|
|
|
2008 Tour Dates
Available on request for a minimium of two.
|
Included in the program:
- Three nights double accommodation at the Abbey-Hotel de Sorèze
- Three breakfasts at the hotel.
- Two restaurant lunches (appetizer, main course, regional wine, water, coffee)
- Two dinners (appetizer, main course, regional wine, water, coffee)
- An English-speaking host on days two and three
- Tasting & entrance fees for activities described in the itinerary
OPTIONS: This program is also available with a full-time, English-speaking driver-guide. Services
begin with pickup at the train station or airport in Cahors or Toulouse on the afternoon of Day One
and end with return transfer on the morning of Day Four. Price for this additional service on
request.
We would be happy to assist you with a low-cost rental.
|
|
Wine Holidays 
Printer Friendly Page