Have you ever gone on a trip and, instead of planning every single minute, said to yourselves, "Let's wing it- fancy-free, footloose, no definite plans, just choose the destination!"?
Years ago, two wine-loving friends, with Burgundy, France, in mind, did just that. Chris and I landed in Paris, rented an Austin Mini, and made a B-line to the region's beautiful countryside in Eastern France, one of the premiere wine regions in the world. Windows down and smiling until a massive gust of wind nearly blew us off the road. As the sky clouded over, the downpour was ferocious.
Remember our plan to be carefree, and luckily for us, we happened upon Chateau de Meursault. Screeching on the brakes, we cruised into the parking lot, grabbed umbrellas, and made a mad dash for the door of the grandest chateau ever. A sweet young man greeted us, and in minutes, we were heading down to the wine cellar, each carrying a silver Tastevin, an ornate little cup/spoon-like vessel used to taste wine. We were unaccompanied, and this was a wine lover's dream come true.
"No escort?" I said., "Yikes, this is nothing like any winery tasting I have ever done.” At the bottom of the stairs, we found ourselves surrounded by wine barrels, each standing on end like circular tables— topped with an open bottle of Chateau de Meursault from various vintages, clones' and vineyards. Needless to say, we helped ourselves to outstanding Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs for quite a while, each offering the richness and complexity you can only discover in this world-class wine region.
Feeling very sated and giddy, we went upstairs and profusely thanked our greeter as we returned our tastevins. Grinning ear to ear, we stepped outside and were happy to see not only the sun shining but a gorgeous rainbow arched over the vineyards and hillside beyond. I will never forget that moment.
I've since set my sights on exploring every wine region on the planet, and I'm so excited to return to Burgundy's magic this year. This time, I'm trading in the Austin Mini for AmaWaterways' magnificent MagnaCello—a luxurious river ship that will sail along the Sâone from Leon to Dijon. I've sailed with AMA along the Rhine and Danube rivers and was so impressed that I've decided to cruise again…. This time I'm taking you with me to Burgundy, France!! I've teamed up with AmaWaterways to offer my friends space for an extraordinary sailing trip on the "Flavours of Burgundy – Culinary Cruise*."
Our itinerary will take us through the Borgogne region of France, one of the undisputed culinary havens and premier wine areas in the world. Iconic chateaux, timeless vineyards, wine tastings, and regional delicacies await as we make our leisurely way down the Sâone River.
And, because you're a friend of mine, there are some additional perks* just for you!
NOTE: Be sure to use the referral code "Culinary2024" when booking for all of the perks, such as joining me at The Chef's Table restaurant for a special wine-paired dinner and curated winery visits.
Hope to see you on this delicious cruise through Burgundy!
*Space is limited
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