Whether you're a wine beginner or true connoisseur, there are scores of specialist tour operators catering for those who long to immerse themselves in Bordeaux's hallowed wine country. ANTHONY PEREGRINE weighs up the options.
The huge open spaces of Argentina offer breathtaking views and awe-inspiring wines. In our comprehensive wine tourist's guide to Argentina, JOHN DOWNES MW explores the bodegas of San Juan and mighty Mendoza province, while ANTHONY PEREGRINE visits the smaller wine-growing regions of Salta, La Rioja and Rio Negro
Although not strictly the outdoor type, ANTHONY PEREGRINE surprises himself on the action holiday of a lifetime high in the Argentinian mountains
Provence has been Europe's most inspiring playground since the Romans put up theatres and arenas. From the rugged outlines of the Alpes de Haute Provence to the more rounded forms lying on the beach at St Tropez, the region both challenges and inebriates.Its culture is warmly welcoming but also sufficiently rooted in time and place to withstand the millions of visitors. It has not been ruined by tourism – you can lose the crowds in any number of mountains, hidden valleys and undiscovered villages. But you know all that. Less well-known is that it's a splendid spot for wine tourism. Provence has had great wine domaines for centuries. But it hasn't had, until recently, much great wine. The standard Côtes de Provence pinks rarely survived the transfer from a sunny terrace in St-Cyr to a wet day in Walthamstow. Some still don't, but others have moved on. There are now not only far more elegant rosés, but also reds and whites of substance. Your trip to Provence is a perfect opportunity to discover them because (a) they tend to be produced in lovely places and (b) they tend not to be widely available in GB. We simply haven't kept up with Provençal wine progress.
Frost is an ever-present threat in the vineyards of Bordeaux. ANTHONY PEREGRINE looks at the steps that growers take to try and combat the chilling problems of ice.
Poor pay and conditions in the French vineyard has impacted on the number of grape pickers. ANTHONY PEREGRINE reports
Outsiders in the Languedoc are often wholly credited with turning the region around. ANTHONY PEREGRINE debunked this myth and evaluates their contributions alongside those of the native vignerons.
The reputation of the Côtes de Provence is entrenched in its rosés. ANTHONY PEREGRINE goes in search of red wines with top-quality terroir credentials
Provence has long built a reputation abroad based on its summer sun rosés.
Explorers from far-off climes have ensured that the Languedoc has shrugged off its reputation for cheap and cheerful varietals, but the locals insist that all that glitters is not Australian or Californian. ANTHONY PEREGRINE goes in search of the truly French gems that can be found in its rugged hills.
The reputation of the Rhône village of Cairanne seemed almost too good to be true. Decanter sent a cynical ANTHONY PEREGRINE to investigate.
