Februarys’ News from Languedoc
Welcome to Februarys’ news roundup from the team at Vin en Vacances. We are getting excited as the new season is about to start and we have some wonderful new wine & food tours and some great wine holidays for you. Read on and I hope we will tempt you to pay the Languedoc a visit this year.
Happy Birthday Canal du Midi..!
2016 is the 350th anniversary of commencement of work to build the Canal du Midi for it was in 1666 that the first spade sank into the midi soil. There will be many ways to celebrate this important year and to remember the people who worked so hard to create this incredible waterway. Read Wendy’s blog and find out more…
New Tours
Canal du Midi Wine Tours – Our range of tours is growing and this year as well as our very popular Canal du Midi Wine tour we have added the Canal du Midi Epicurean Wine tour. Its a food & wine extravaganza and includes a fabulous wine
tasting cruise.
Lagrasse Food & History Walking Tour – For foodies who also like a bit of history we have a new 3 hour walking tour around the village of Lagrasse which runs every Saturday. After a foodie stroll around the market stalls in the medieval covered market you will enjoy a history stroll around the village and learn some of the fascinating facts about one of ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’. Find out more…
Corbieres & Lagrasse Food & Wine Tour – another new tour is this full day Corbieres & Lagrasse Food & wine Tour that includes the above food & history tour plus lunch followed by a winery visit in the afternoon. Find out more…
Shuttle Tours from Barcelona & Toulouse
Many of our international clients travelling to Europe arrive in Barcelona or Toulouse and although they want to spend a little time in both cities they are aiming to travel to Languedoc. They can of course take the train but a far more attractive option is to take one of our new Shuttle Tours that will take away the burden of lugging heavy suit cases onto trains and also give you the opportunity to discover a little more of Europe.
The longest Carnival in France, by Kate Wardell
“Te Counaissi” – it looks and sounds familiar, and yet….. If you happen to be in Languedoc between January and the two weeks before Easter, and you’re passing through the town of Limoux, it could well be an expression you hear. It’s the tease or taunt spoken by the masked Pierrots taking part in the region’s famous Carnival; and it’s your cue to engage the Pierrot in some banter! Te counnaissi is Occitan – it means, I know or I recognise you and unlike many other pageants in Limoux, those who go to watch also have the chance to participate! Be warned though, they’re fond of showering you in confetti! Read more of Kates blog…
What’s the difference between Blanquette and Crémant?
The grape mix – Blanquette must contain at a minimum of 90% Mauzac and maximum 10% Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. The same grapes are used to make Crémant but Chardonnay is the dominant grape. The other difference is the ageing – Blanquette ages on its lees for a minimum of 9 months and Crémant for a minimum of 15 months. You can taste these wines and many more on our fabulous Domaine Gayda & Limoux Tour.
Wine Holidays in the South of France
Planning a short break or a holiday in Languedoc? Then look no further we have a wonderful range of wine holidays to choose from including our very popular Spirit of Languedoc wine holiday which is available in May, August & September. In May you can spend a few days in the beautiful village of Lagrasse and enjoy everything that area has to offer on our Corbieres Gourmet Food & Wine weekend. Or would you like us to create a tour just for you and your friends? Then our Anytime Languedoc Wine holidays are the perfect choice taking the strain out of organising everything on dates to suit you. Find out more..
How’s the 2015 vintage shaping up?
Every vintage is different, and so it should be. To describe a vintage we have to look at all the four seasons. Vivaldi was right! But conditions may vary locally. Marcel talked to John Bojanowski of Clos du Gravillas, a boutique winery in the tiny appellation of Saint-Jean-de-Minervois, famous for its sweet Muscat wine. Read Marcels blog…
We hope to see you in Languedoc this year!
