No visit to Château Bélingard is complete without a visit to its terrace for a spectacular view of the vines: what could be more romantic than watching the sunset in such a stunning setting?

Your visit continues indoors, with a visit of the family home to explore its history and that of its Monbazillac and Bergerac terroir. The château’s long history is reflected in its name, derived from the Celtic ‘belen garten’ – the garden of Beleen – the god of sun and war. Walk in the footsteps of Celtic druids as you wander down a path to a mysterious rock carved into the shape of a 3,000 year old sacrificial altar.

Returning to the present day, head for the terrace to contemplate the stunning view, or in the summertime enjoy a platter of cheese and charcuterie to the sound of music. Guided tours are also available for those keen to learn more about winemaking and wine, with a guided tasting included. Or for a more hi-tech approach, explore the château’s history and discover how its wines are made with the aid of a touch screen tablet. On loan from the château, this device reacts to interpretation panels along a discovery trail.

Push open the doors and soak up the calm, elegance and sophistication of this special place.

Outside, head down to the Charente river and explore the Respectful Garden, which uses biodiversity to achieve a perfect balance between man and nature. For some quality time with friends and family why not visit the lounge bar or book into the boutique hotel with its swimming pool and spa.

Or explore the timeless Cognathèque where you can savour a cognac, enjoy a cigar or play chess beside a roaring fire.

Finally, treat yourself to an extraordinary meal in the château's gourmet restaurant, where the chef prepares dishes inspired by the Château de l’Yeuse and its Respectful Garden.

The village of Hautvillers is known for its vineyards and buildings bedecked with wrought-iron signs associated with the village’s flagship activity: champagne production.

Legend has it that the Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon, interred in the village’s Abbey Church, was the first to discover the in-bottle method that added the fizz to wines from Champagne! Aside from its connection to Dom Pérignon, Hautvillers is a must on any visit to Champagne as it makes an excellent starting point for any exploration of the Marne Valley and its vineyards.

No visit to Champagne would be complete without a stop in this village,  and as you explore its narrow lanes you’ll come across the delightfully picturesque restaurant Au 36, aptly located in a street named after the famous monk. Here you’ll be able to sample a range of champagnes and a wide selection of regional produce. Some of the specialities on offer from the Champagne region include white blood sausage wrapped in puff pastry, lentillons de champagne (a local variety of small red lentils), beetroot mousse, and pink-biscuit macaroons with raspberry jam.

As well as its focus on local specialities, this restaurant seeks to demystify wine and make it accessible to a wider audience, organising tastings to help you find your preferred champagne style. Enjoy the wide selection of champagnes on offer in a different, but equally cosy setting, to suit the time of year: inside in winter, or on the garden terrace in summer. And opt for the restaurant's tasting menu to sample 2 or 3 flutes of champagne and familiarise yourself with the different grape varieties that the region has to offer.

Noilly Prat, in Marseillan, can trace its history back to 1813 and is considered to be the birthplace of vermouth in France. Each year, over 60,000 visitors are captivated by this stunning location and its fabulous cocktail bar.

The historic building contains numerous ageing cellars filled with wooden vats, casks and oak barrels. The brand’s most iconic vermouth, Original Dry, is a blend of mistelles (grape juice with added alcohol) and aged dry wines macerated with around 20 herbs and spices, but the recipe remains a secret to this day. Other versions include Extra Dry and Noilly Prat Amber and Noilly Prat Rouge, two more subtle vermouths featuring a wider range of spices such as nutmeg, cocoa beans and bitter orange. At the end of your visit, and after exploring the new Noilly Prat museum, you will have a chance to taste these four French vermouths in the Sainte-Anne cellar. A Masterclass is also available for vermouth fans keen to create their own cocktail.

Why not make a Dry Martini “shaken, not stirred”, the favourite drink of 007, aka James Bond?

For a wine tour with a difference why not visit Château Malherbe, with its stunning view of Fort de Brégançon and the Mediterranean, and hire an electric mountain bike with a GPS containing four pre-programmed trails.

Anyone can hire a bike, but be sure to reserve a day ahead as numbers are limited. Or if you prefer to explore on foot, choose from one of the four hiking trails. The estate was once a farm attached to the nearby Fort, and visitors can discover this history and the special characteristics of its two terroirs, Malherbe and Pointe du Diable.

And to make your visit even more special, be sure to order a picnic the day before you arrive. Your hamper will include AOC cheese, local charcuterie and seasonal fruit, all organic and the perfect match for the Château’s wines. A special treat for cyclists and walkers alike!

Packed with local charm and with its view of the Rhône Valley, the bastide – or Provençal house – has been in the Pommier family for seven generations. Operating using the polyculture farming method, typical of the Ardèche region, the estate quickly expanded into vine-growing in order to be able to grow and produce its own quality wine.

In addition to the vineyard, visitors can also explore a small chapel and wine tastings are also available. A more unusual option is the chance to enjoy a SpeleOenologie® experience, an opportunity to trek beneath the terroir itself as you explore the St Marcel d’Ardèche cave.

The Pommier Family also offers refurbished guest rooms on the wine estate, each having retained their authentic charm, especially those in the original main house that dates back to 1630. Fans of the outdoors, countryside and fine produce will feel right at home at Notre Dame de Cousignac, where hospitality reigns supreme!

Discover the wine cellars of the Mâcon easily and hassle free using the new Vitipass, available from the Mâcon Tourist Office.

In addition to visits to wineries, you’ll also be offered free bottles and, naturally, a warm welcome in the Mâconnais wine region.

The Pass includes:

• One silk-screen printed glass
• One wine tasting (valid for two people) in three partner wineries
• Three bottles containing the different wines of the Mâconnais region (one red, one white, one cru)
• One discovery offer (guided tour of the Mâcon or Tournus, restaurant discount, and more)

Over 15 producers are already partners of the Mâconnais Vitipass. Find them on the Vitipass website or by visiting the Mâcon or Tournus Tourist Office.

To celebrate its 241^st anniversary, the Louis Roederer Foundation invited ten photographers to capture the unique influence and beauty of its wine estate and wines.

Carried out in partnership with emerging talent award the Bourse du Talent, the event was rich in creativity, poetry, fantasy and inspiration. The ten artists successfully captured the discreet yet intriguing charm of Maison Roederer with their contemporary shots of wine cellars and vines.

In early summer, ten young artists enjoyed a trip through the region of Reims with one simple instruction: record this adventure and convey their sense of the House in at least ten photos.

A secret and hidden world 

One of these photographers was Lucie Jean, who shared her feelings for “the secret and hidden world” of the Louis Roederer vineyard. She spent her nights on site, with her camera as her only source of light, trying to depict its “enigmatic nocturnal charge”.

The glacial beauty of the machines 

Laurent Kronental decided to immortalise the “glacial beauty of the machines”, and adopted a futuristic approach to focus on the immense equipment, “capturing them as if they were people”. For the duo Brodbeck & De Barbuat, champagne had a dizzying aspect, and they chose this as the theme for photos that resemble paintings and were mostly taken in the mansion, or Hôtel Particulier. Their other pieces take a reverse perspective: “We wanted to view the sky above the vines, and capture the stars that exert an influence on the champagne”. The artists were also intrigued by the areas behind the scenes, with Sandra Reinflet keen to discover what lies “behind the luxurious image of champagne”. She sought to portray the men and women who carefully prepare this luxury product, filled with passion for their work and pride in the vineyard.

A combination of contemporary art and tradition that stands as a stunning tribute to Maison Roederer, founded in 1776.

An oyster farm that operates according to the “solar tides” and offers Ostreathérapie in the heart of the Pays de Thau wine region.

With its stunning setting beside the Bassin de Thau, this oyster farm produces fleshy oysters using the ground breaking “solar tides” method. Developed to meet Florent Tarbouriech’s dream to produce exceptional oysters, the farm operates using the “solar tides” method. Oysters are removed from the water daily in accordance with a carefully controlled schedule. The sun and crystal-clear Mediterranean water produce high-quality shellfish, and the farm's environmentally friendly credentials are just as clear, with the farm powered by photovoltaic panels and wind turbines.

Domaine Tarbouriech’s vines sit in the largest vineyard in France (300,000 hectares). Once there, you can sample wines from the Pays de Thau during wine tasting classes, and visits to the wineries and estates. You can also visit Abbaye de Valmagne and its wine estate, nicknamed the “cathedral of the vines”, and one of the finest Cistercian monuments in France.

An ideal pairing for the oysters is a glass of Picpoul de Pinet AOC, Languedoc’s premier white wine appellation and still the closest appellation to Domaine Tarbouriech. Because this fruity wine comes from the same area and climate, it is the perfect match for these sweet oysters.

Last June, Maison Tarbouriech opened its brand-new Domaine, focused on well-being and offering a unique Mediterranean know-how. Ostreathérapie was developed here, a unique concept that focuses on well-being treatments based on the active ingredients found in oysters and in their environment. This shellfish is actually packed with vitamins, minerals and micro-nutrients, and the oyster flesh is not only a natural source of energy, proteins and antioxidants, but is also low fat. Here you can relax and enjoy customised, exclusive treatments as you sample some of the many services offered in Domaine’s 400m² well-being centre.