Taste of Burgundy with Thomas Bachelder
Montreal native Thomas Bachelder has become a star in the wine world. After learning from some of the best winemakers in Burgundy including his mentor Pascal Marchand, Thomas explored Oregon’s Willamette Valley. In Oregon, Thomas worked for Lemelson Vineyards. Despite his great success on the West Coast, an offer to become Viniculture Manager of Le Clos Jordanne (the Vincor and Boisset joint venture) brought him to Ontario. Under his direction, Le Clos Jordanne has established itself as Canada’s leading producer of Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Yet not matter where Thomas resides, his heart will forever be longing for famed vineyards that stretch along Burgundy’s famous Cote D’Or.
July 1st - 10th, 2011
Cost: $4595 / person (double occupancy, land only). 18% single supplement
Includes:
- 9 nights’ accommodations
- Transportation (9-passenger Fiat Ducato Touring Van or equivalent)
- 9 night’s accommodation (2 nights in 4* Hotel, 7 nights 4* villa)
- 15+ Wine Tastings/Winery Tours
- 9 Breakfasts
- 6 Lunches
- 9 Dinners with wine including Michelin-star restaurant experience
Does not include: Flights, meals not mentioned in itinerary
Itinerary
Friday July, 1st – Welcome to France
The group will meet at Charles de Gaulle airport. From there we will then drive from Paris to Chablis where we will enjoy our first wine tasting and tour at Domaine LaRoche, followed by dinner at Domaine LaRoche's Hotel.
Accomodation: Hostellerie le Clos
Saturday July 2nd – The Crus of Chablis
After breakfast guests will enjoy some free time to either sleep or stroll the sleepy town of Chablis or join Thomas for a tasting at Lamblin & Fils. Guests are on their own for lunch this day. We recommend a light bite in Chablis as we’ll soon be off for a vineyard tour of the crus of Chablis led by a local expert. In the afternoon we will be the guests of a number of small domains in Chablis representing some of the finest wines produced in the region. After wine tasting, we will return to the hotel for a rest before departing for a relaxing meal at a countryside restaurant accompanied with local wines of course.
Accomodation: Hostellerie le Clos
Sunday July 4th – Beaune & the Cote D’Or
After breakfast, we depart from our hotel in Chablis and drive to our villa which is situated south of Beaune in the Bouzeron appellation known for its fresh, tart Aligote based wines. After some time to settle in and have a light lunch consisting of ingredients selected, we venture off for a short drive to the city of Beaune where we will have a guided tour of the famous cellars of Beaune, enjoy a wine tasting under the city and then dine at a well regarded local restaurant, known as La Ciboulette.
Monday July 5th – The Hautes Cotes de Nuits
Today is the start of our exploration of the great reds of Burgundy. In the morning we depart for the Hautes Cotes de Nuits. The vineyards which lie to the west of the main escarpment that defines Burgundy’s Cote D’Or is a bucolic retreat from the grand vineyards of Burgundy. It’s also an excellent starting point for our exploration of Pinot Noir. In the morning we’ll visit Badet Clement, whose Burgundy Hills brand, is a modern interpretation of Burgundy. After our morning visit, we’ll enjoy lunch at a local grill restaurant, before venturing to some small estates in the region including Jayer-Gilles and Thevenot-Lebrun. Tonight, we’ll return to the comfort of our spacious villa for a glorious meal matched with wine by Thomas.
Tuesday July, 6th – Marsannay, Fixin & Gevrey-Chambertin
Today we start our investigation of the very best of Burgundian Pinot Noir, starting in the northern end of the Cote de Nuits. We'll make the short drive from our villa to this city, which traces its history to Roman times. Dijon is one of France's epicurean capitals and its market a sanctuary for gourmands. You can explore on your own or head to one of the fantastic outdoor wine bars located in the old town near the market. From Dijon it is off to Marsannay and Fixin; the two most northern communes of the Cote D’Or. Here we’ll enjoy a visit and tasting at Bruno Clair, considered by many to be the top producer of these two neighbouring communes. Next stop is Gevrey-Chambertin; our first stop to one of the more exalted communes of the Cotes de Nuits. The village has been recognized since the 7th century as home to some Burgundy’s best vineyards. Although in recent decades the wines of Gevrey-Charmbertin have at times underperformed, a new breed of young winemakers has restored it to past glory. We’ll visit the commune’s best producer which produces wines from many of the villages’ most famous vineyards including Chambertin, Clos de Beze and Clos Saint-Jacques amongst others. After a long day of wine touring we’ll return to our villa before heading out to a lovely small restaurant in nearby Remigny to enjoy classic regional cuisine.
Wednesday, July 7th – Chambolle-Musigny, Morey St-Denis & Vougeot
Today will be a spectacular opportunity to sample the great reds of the Cote de Nuits. We'll spend our day in the cellars of three estates in the neighbouring villages of Chambolle-Musigny and Morey St-Denis. Thomas has arranged visits to Chateau Chambolle with Jacques-Frederic Mugnier, followed by lunch in one of his favourite local restaurants in Morey St-Denis. In the afternoon you’ll visit Mommesin, the sole producers of the world renowned Clos de Tart Grand Cru, and then you will stop at Domaine Bertanga in nearby Vougeot. After enjoying some of the greatest Pinot Noir in the world we’ll return to the comfort of our villa for a light meal and wine in a relaxing environment.
Thursday, July 7th – Vosne-Romanee & Nuits St.-Georges
This is set to be a wonderful day of food and wine. We'll begin the day with a drive to Vosne-Romanee, arguably the Cote de Nuits’ most famous commune thanks of course to Domaine de la Romanee Conti. While there we’ll visit Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair; a small estate focused on producing top quality wines from its vineyards in Vosne-Romanee and nearby Flagey-Eschezeaux. Then we’re off for a winemaker’s lunch in the true Burgundian style. We’ll visit a local bar, well known to winemakers, for a simple lunch in the company one of the region’s exalted winemakers. If time allows, we’ll head to the nearby Abbaye de Citeaux, to pick up cheese made by the local monks. From there we return to Vosne-Romanee to meet up with star winemaker Michel Gros for a tour and tasting before continuing on to Nuit St-Georges to meet with Pascal Marchand. The Quebec born Marchand is a celebrity winemaker and a much desired consultant to important winery projects in Burgundy and abroad. We’ll get an insider’s view of his many endeavours and of course sample his award-winning wines. This is a heady day full of activity and glorious wine. We’ll return to the villa for tonight’s meal in order to rest up for another day of wine tripping.
Friday, July 9th – Cote de Beaune & Le Montrachet
Today we’ll sample the wines of the Cote de Beaune. We’ll begin in Volnay, where we’ll enjoy these sensuous floral and delicately spicy red wines. Next stop is nearby Puligny-Montrachet; arguably home to the world’s most highly regarded white wines. While visiting this Mecca of Chardonnay, we’ll dine at the restaurant owned by Domaine Olivier LeFlaive. The wines of Olivier LeFlaive are pure expressions of the local terroir and make for a fitting introduction to the great white wines of Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune. After lunch we’ll visit Domaine Romanet; the master of Chassagne-Montrachet before retiring to the villa in anticipation of a glorious final meal at nearby Le Montrachet; a much exalted Michelin rated restaurant.
Saturday, July 10th - Beaune & Final Dinner
Our final day will be spent in Beaune. We'll make the short drive to this beautiful walled town where we can enjoy the morning market and a tour of the Hospices de Beaune before meeting for a simple lunch. After lunch we’ll visit Domaine Alex Gambal. Not only is Gambal a well regarded winery in its own right but it is where Thomas’ soon to be released wines, under his own brand, are aging in barrel. You’ll be amongst the first to taste these wines that are sure to attain immediate cult status. To complete the experience we’ll return to the villa for a multi-course dining experience featuring ingredients selected at the market.
Sunday, July 11th – Departure Day
Its time to depart. Your hosts will transfer you back to Charles de Gaulle or one of the local train stations if your French adventure has just begun.