Beaujolais
Nouveau
Les
Sarmentelles Festival
Come
mid-November every year, the small town of Beaujeu, the capital of the Beaujolais
region, springs to life when the new season's Beaujolais wine is released with
great fanfare. An event much anticipated by wine enthusiasts all over the world,
the arrival of the new wine is a good reason for celebration in bars, in restaurants,
in the streets... everywhere. On this occasion, Beaujeu (which gave its name to
the wine) hosts a massive party known as the Sarmentelles, Thousands of
locals are joined by guests from all over to taste the region's newest production.
The
name Sarmentelles refers to the sarments (cuttings from the canes
of the grapevines), which are ceremoniously burned prior to the unveiling of the
new wine as a tribute to the vigneron's hard work. Huge barrels of Beaujolais
Nouveau are opened at midnight, releasing streams of wine for the thirsty crowd.
According to
legend, Beaujolais Nouveau must be gone before Christmas. So, don't miss this
chance to help empty the barrels!
NOVEMBER
2007 PROGRAM
(2008 dates to be announced)
Day
1 - Monday 13: Departure from the US or Canada.
Day
2 - Tuesday 13: Paris - Macon. Arrival at Paris airport and immediate
departure by private motor coach to Macon, a major wine center of Southern Burgundy.
Welcome dinner at L'Amandier.
Day
3 - Wednesday 14: Macon - Beaujolais Nouveau Festival.
Morning drive to Georges Duboeuf's Le Hameau en Beaujolais in Romaneche-Thorins,
an original museum featuring the history of the Beaujolais wine region. By mid-afternoon
we join the Beaujolais Nouveau Festival known as Les Sarmentelles in Beaujeu.
This festival is a very ancient Burgundian tradition of winemakers parading in
traditional costumes, vine cane fires, a gala dinner and the official presentation
of the Beaujolais Nouveau at midnight, among other festivities. Overnight in Macon.
Day
4 - Thursday 15: Macon - Beaune.
Today's journey will take us to the Abbey of Cluny, the Cormatin Castle and the
famous vineyards of Pommard, Meursault and others. Lunch en route. Overnight in
Beaune, Burgundy's wine capital.
Day
5 - Friday 16: Beaune.
Full day visit, including the historical Hospice, presently used as the seat of
Burgundy's celebrated annual wine auction. Visit one of Beaune's well-known wine
merchants and the Wine Museum.
Day
6 - Saturday 17: Beaune - Route des Grands Crus - Paris.
Morning drive along the famous Route des Grands Crus. Stop for wine-tasting and
visit the medieval cellars of Clos de Vougeot. Panoramic tour of Dijon, historical
capital of the Dukes of Burgundy. Then on to Paris.
Day
7 - Sunday 18: Paris. Transfer
for departure.
Included
- 7
days and 5 nights in rooms with private baths
- Breakfasts,
1 dinner and 1 lunch
- Sarmentelles
Festival dinner with wine included
- Transportation
by deluxe motor coach
- English
speaking escort
- Transfer
to airport on day 7
- Visits,
excursions and wine tasting per program
- Local
taxes and fees
Not
Included
- Transportation
to and from Paris
- Drinks
with scheduled lunch and dinner
- Guide
and driver gratuities
- Personal
expenses
- Health
and travel insurance
- Other
items not specifically listed under "Included"
Prices
in US dollars, per person, double occupancy
Prices
may
be adjusted due to exchange rate fluctuations and other factors beyond our control.
Group
Size* | Midrange** | Upscale** |
|
15 - 24 | $1,810 | $2,230 |
| 25
- 34 | $1,360 | $1,805 |
| 35
- 44 | $1,205 | $1,635 |
| Single
Supplement | $300 | $415 |
*
All prices include one free space for a group leader.
**
Hotels: Midrange/3 stars, Upscale/4 stars or equivalent. Prices may be adjusted
for exchange rate fluctuations.
This
program can be customized for smaller groups or individual travelers. Pre- and
post-trip add-ons can be included with the program. Contact us for details.
We
have personally visited all areas of the Burgundy and Beaujolais regions. See
pictures from our trips:
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