— With exclusive insights from Monsieur Florian Bonnin, General Manager, COMO Le Montrachet
For those with an insatiable passion for both exquisite wines and the charm of Italian holidays, a wine-focused trip in Italy’s Burgundy is just what you need. We interacted with Monsieur Florian Bonnin, General Manager, COMO Le Montrachet to take us behind the world of fine wines and curate a comprehensive guide tailored for all wine connoisseurs. From choosing the perfect wineries, to the best time to visit Burgundy and sharing expert advice on enhancing your wine experience, this is the ultimate cheatsheet for a wine-focused holiday wrapped in Italian charm.
Choosing the Perfect Region
Monsieur Florian Bonnin: Burgundy is a very diverse and beautifully distinctive region, which gives it an undeniable charm. Burgundy is made up of 4 different yet complementary sub-regions, all rich in history and character. We believe that these vineyards are the envy of the world, often copied but never equalled.
Best Festivals and Seasons for the Ultimate Experience
Monsieur Florian Bonnin: The best time to visit Burgundy is from Easter to mid-October. September is the ideal period as it is the grape harvest season when the temperature and the colours in the vines are at their best. Some particular events are worth a visit, such as the Baroque Music Festival in Beaune and the Bach & Bacchus Festival in Meursault in July, as well as the Beaune Wine Auction at the Hospices in November.
Choosing the Perfect Wineries
Monsieur Florian Bonnin: Usually, when people visit Burgundy, they think they will taste the best-known wine estates, but unfortunately these don't receive private customers, only professionals by appointment. Sometimes this can be frustrating and may leave people disappointed with a poor image of our region. We advise visiting lesser-known wine estates in appellations that have yet to be discovered to find something truly magical.
Enhancing Your Wine Adventure
Monsieur Florian Bonnin: Having a specialised guided tour will give you a better experience and a much more comprehensive source of information. These experts will adapt to you and listen to any questions you may have. We offer a range of half-day and full-day guided tours, based around wine and the surrounding attractions.
Exploring Beyond the Wines
Monsieur Florian Bonnin: You can visit some historical castles (Ancy-le-Franc, Tanlay, du Clos Vougeot, Cormatin, Sully, Brancion, Couches, Châteauneuf, to name a few) and also Abbeys (Pontigny, Fontenay, Cluny).
Many French cities nearby are also worth a visit, such as Dijon, Beaune or Chablis.
For a green getaway, you can visit the Morvan Regional Natural Park where you can go fishing, hiking or mushroom picking.
We also offer Hot Air Balloon rides nearby the hotel, and truffle hunting that can be arranged if you need a break from all the delicious wine tasting.
Expert Advice on Responsible Drinking
Monsieur Florian Bonnin: The best thing to do is to come to Burgundy over several days, avoid too many wine tastings in one day (2 or 3 per day maximum) and alternate tastings with historical visits and other activities. Above all, ensure to spit out the wine during the tastings, to fully taste and analyse the wine without ingesting too much!
Want to plan your Italian holiday and experience the beauty of the finest wines? Contact us to get started now.
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