By Terry Rogers Matthews

© Le CEP/JC Bernard

It is the beginning of fall in the region of Burgundy, France. You have decided you would like to experience the culture, see the vines, taste the grapes from the new harvest that is about to take place or has just taken place. How do you put it all together? You can call one of the large tour companies and follow a group of people around the towns and the larger wineries or you can map a beautiful trip out on your own.

You can arrive at Charles de Gaulle or you can fly into Orly. If you don’t travel abroad that often or if the jet lag gets to you, my suggestion is to take the late night flight around 10pm from New York that gets you into Paris on French time around 11am. You have had a good night sleep for at least 6 hours on the plane and you wake up when you land. You can either rent a car and drive into Paris or take a taxi and have Hertz deliver a car to your hotel the next day for your trip to Burgundy. Whether you are staying at a beautiful luxury hotel, such as the Hotel Le Meurice or the smaller luxury Hotel Lancaster you will arrive and the hotel staff will guide you to your room for your overnight in one of the most romantic cities in the world.

Relax, have a glass of Rose Champagne from one of the classic Champagne houses, Ruinart, Billecart Salmon, Taittinger or Laurant Perrier. Jump in the shower and renew your energy and get ready to have a late lunch or early dinner and get a good nights sleep, because the next day is travel day. There are so many wonderful bistros in Paris with excellent wine and food. L’Ami Louis is a favorite on Rue Vertbois.

I love waking up in a Paris hotel and knowing that when the elegant pot of espresso arrives in my room at wake up time – it is full bodied, hot and fresh! The chocolate croissants never tasted so good.

Time to hit the trail to Burgundy. The routes are very well marked leaving Paris and it is always helpful to have a car with a GPS or the Hertz Never Lost portable GPS (my favorite). Plug in your destination for your hotel in Burgundy, which will be Le Cep in the town of Beaune and you are on your way. All along the wonderful highway there are large areas to stop to grab an espresso, have a sit down meal or just to stretch your legs.

Vineyards of the Domaine de la Romanee Conti. Photo © Le CEP/JC Bernard

It is approximately a three hour drive with beautiful countryside along the way.

You arrive at your hotel in the town of Beaune. Le Cep greets you as if you were their best friends.

This is the best hotel to stay at since it is not only in the center of Beaune, but also very beautiful and the rooms are fabulous and the service is spectacular.

© Le CEP/JC Bernard

Your wine route is going to take you south out of Beaune the first day where you will pass through the towns of Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny and Chassagne.

Restaurant Le Cellier Volnaysien

As you drive on the main route with vineyards on each side of the road, you will follow the signs for Volnay and drive right up to this classic French Cellier Restaurant. There is also a lovely patio for outdoor dining. My favorite dish here is Ouefs a la meurette – which are Eggs cooked in a red wine reduction. What is so special about the owner here is that she does not just use red wine for reduction; she uses the actual Lees and red grape skins from the barrels of the great Pinot Noir Grape.

After a wonderful lunch you want to head through the vineyard roads through Meursault and as you come into the small village square of Puligny Montrachet you will see the Le Montrachet hotel on the left and on the other side will be the hotel and restaurant of the famous Olivier Leflaive.

Wander into the Hotel of Olivier Leflaive and saunter up the casual bar for a tasting of Olivier’s newest vintages that he is getting ready to ship to us. Don’t forget to mention my name. By the way the Leflaives are the largest land holders in Puligny Montrachet.

If you would like to take the scenic route from Puligny Montrachet you can head back through the town of Beaune and continue driving north to reach the towns in the Cotes de Nuit. It is only about a 20 minute drive till you reach the first town of Nuits St. Georges.

Vineyards of the Domaine de la Romanee Conti / Photo © Le CEP/JC Bernard

The famous vineyards of the Domaine de la Romanee Conti (www.romanee-conti.fr)

Once you pass through Nuits St. Georges, you will be see the town of Vosne Romanee on the left side of the road; make any turn and follow the roads up into the vineyards to capture history. The lands date back hundreds and hundreds of years. They are all planted with the Pinot Noir grape variety. A beautiful picture overlooking the village of Vosne Romanee with the particular vineyards in the foreground. Aubert de Villane and Madame Bize Leroy are co-owners of this famous Domaine in Vosne Romanee. The most sought after Domaine in the Burgundy world.

Margie and Johan Bjorkland are the proud owners of the Bistro de L’Hotel, where you will be having a fabulous dinner. Originally from Rye, New York, this fine restaurant has become the hang out for all the fine producers in the region. On any given evening you will see Henri Boillot, Monsieur Rousseau, Dominique Lafon and on and on.

After a charming evening of food and wine you get to walk a few blocks back to your chamber and enjoy a nice glass of rose champagne at the bar of the Le Cep Hotel before turning in!

Terry Rogers Matthews
Horseneck Wines & Liquors
25 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich
203-869-8944
www.horseneck.com