Creator of La Cuisine de Santé® at Eugénie-les Bains, the charismatic Michel Guérard, a chef with a three-star rating from the famous Michelin food guide, is also a wine producer in the Tursan wine district in the Landes region. ‘A cook,’ he says, ‘must know how to make bread and wine.’

How did you end up being a winemaker? 

As an apprentice in the 1950s, when we were still under the restrictions of the Second World War, I, like many other people, developed the art of resourcefulness. I had been involved, for example, in the making of white wine from a grape variety which is today banned, the Noah, which sends you a bit crazy … and which we used to cook fish. Similarly, we distilled, once a year, in total secrecy, a very good brandy. I’ve always thought that a cook should know how to make bread and wine. In the same way, just before we planted our grape vines at the Chateau de Bachen, I learnt, over the course of seven months at the wine science institute in Bordeaux, the essentials of this captivating profession. 

Which wine-growing traditions inspire you? 

The grape vine is constantly teaching you about life. I have always been impressed by the elegant fatalism with which the winegrowers here deal with being at the mercy of the weather. Then comes the joy of the grape harvest, which overcomes this problem, and the wine goes on inspiring passionate discussions.

Which traditional matches of food and wine do you like to overturn?

I have, on occasions, dared to mix caviar and sauternes! Or to propose a glass of almost frozen Barsac or Jurançon to soothe the heat of a chicken infused with ground pepper and grilled on burning embers, under the skin of which I had slipped in a purée of olives and anchovies. Try it, it’s divine! 

Often described as one of the pioneers of the ‘new Languedoc’, Jean-Claude Mas exports what he calls ‘rural luxury’ much further afield than the south of France. And he offers activities for wine tourists, centred on his restaurant on the Mediterranean coast.

From the Chateau Paul Mas, at Pézenas, to the Domaine Paul Mas, the history of your family goes back to 1892, that is to say four generations of winegrowers.

I took the reins of the 35-hectare family vineyard in 1999 and created the Domaines Paul Mas vineyard in January 2000. Today we have 11 vineyards across the Languedoc: we own 600 hectares ourselves and are partners in another 1,312 hectares. Out of the 22 million bottles that were put on the market in 2015, 80% were classified as IGP Pays d'Oc (Protected Geographical Indication). 

How do you define the spirit of ‘rural luxury‘ which you have created?

It’s our philosophy. Create great accessible wines and produce special moments that are rich in emotions: that’s the real luxury today! To do that, we have developed a craft which respects the environment, from the grape vines to the wine shop, and we use a winemaking process which respects the grapes. Our objective is to become a 100% organic producer by 2023. 

With the opening of the Côté Mas restaurant, in 2012, you have developed a large range of wine tourism activities.

The Château Paul Mas restaurant is well anchored in the spirit of ‘rural luxury’, and is situated at the heart of the grape vines and the olive trees. We offer cookery courses and musical evenings, while the tasting cellar allows us to introduce our guests to the Languedoc wines, through the vineyard’s 50 different wines, and what’s more in a setting which includes the works of the painter Emmanuel Flipo. We also have a VIP space for seminars and two superb suites nearby. The Ecuries d’Olivier stables organize horse rides through the vineyards and the bushland, with views over the lagoon, the Mediterranean Sea and the town of Sète.

You are winning lots of awards (40 gold medals) and are among the ‘30 winemakers of tomorrow‘ according to the news magazine L’Express: What is your vision for your profession?

We are producing the wines of the old world with an attitude that is resolutely new world, in exceptional wine-growing country. We are proud of our rural roots while at the same time cultivating an open mind.   

The Provence wine and vineyard route is one of the Routes de Bonheur, or pleasure trips, that Relais & Chateaux have designed for their clients. Gilles Ozello, a wine expert from L’Oustau de Baumanière Hotel, shares his knowledge of the best wine tourism destinations in the region.

Gilles Ozello, the wine expert, or sommelier, at L’Oustau de Baumanière Hotel, in Baux-de-Provence, likes to share his passion for his wine district with his clients. He has designed a wine route which passes through the most beautiful countryside, the most majestic sites and the most beautiful Relais & Chateaux hotels in the region: the Villa Augusta, the Chateau de Rochegude, the Mas des Herbes Blanches at Joucas, the Phébus & Spa, the Prieuré at Villeneuve-lez-Avignon, and the Maison d’Uzès.

‘I've been at L’Oustau de Baumanière for 30 years now, and I’m still enchanted by Provence. I love the fusion between the limestone and the olive trees, the contrast between the arid climate and the strong smells after the rain,’ says sommelier Gilles Ozello.

In this relaxed district, which has as many wine types as the Provence region, Gilles Ozello invites his clients to take this route so that they can see the full extent and diversity of the landscapes, and understand the geological, magical link between each district and its wine. You can sense, guess and finally understand this influence as you travel the wine route from the hill country of Rochegude, in the Drôme, all the way to the rough, dry slopes of Castillon-du-Gard. 

A diversity of colours and grapes characterise the wines of Provence

Diversity and colours are here for you to admire as you travel through these vineyards: the rounded wines of the Côtes-du-Rhône and Gigondas, the subtle, sweet wines from Rasteau and Baumes-de-Venise, the delicate blends of the wines from the Luberon, the strength of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and the fruity rosés of Tavel. ‘I've been at L’Oustau de Baumanière for 30 years now, and I’m still enchanted by Provence,’ says this lover of the region, born near Aix-en-Provence. ‘I love the fusion between the limestone and the olive trees, the contrast between the arid climate and the strong smells after the rain. I love the Durance Valley and its light.’

With its diversity of grape types, wine districts and villages, Gilles Ozello never gets tired of Provence, where L’Oustau de Baumanière is one of the region’s most prestigious hotels, an institution of the Mediterranean lifestyle. 

Gourmet food, fine wine and wellbeing … Georges Blanc invites you to his magnificent village for a luxurious stay in the Bresse countryside, between Beaujolais and the Rhône Valley.

In 1933, the ‘Mère Blanc’ was designated the ‘best cook in the world’ by Curnonsky, the prince of all lovers of fine foods. Today, Georges, her grandson, is following admirably in her footsteps! At L’Ancienne Auberge in Vonnas, a replica of his great-grandparents’ auberge, Georges Blanc shares his passion for the local products of his native Bresse in this gourmet restaurant, which has been awarded three Michelin stars.

The Michelin-starred restaurant has one of the five finest wine cellars in the world, with nearly 140,000 bottles of exceptional wine.

At the stove since 1968, the famous chef never stops reinventing the district of Bresse through his modern and light gourmet creations. The Vonnas crêpe with salmon and caviar, or the famous Bresse chicken and foie gras, are just two delicious examples. Georges Blanc is naturally a fervent defender of the famous Bresse chicken, and is the proud bearer of the title of president of the official committee for origin-approved Bresse chicken!

Five hectares of fine food and wellbeing, with wine cellar, park and spa

Wine is also honoured: the restaurant has one of the five finest wine cellars in the world, with nearly 140,000 exceptional bottles of wine. You can taste the wines of the vineyard in the company of the head wine steward, or chief sommelier, during the course of an unforgettable visit. Georges Blanc is also a visionary businessman and has built a magnificent gourmet village in Vonnas. On the edge of the river, discover the coloured façades of the buildings, his five-star Relais & Chateaux hotel, and his new aquatic centre …

Give yourself a treat and relax for a few hours in the immense Carita Décléor spa. As night falls, take a romantic walk in the beautifully lit park. Stretch out your gourmet stay with a unique wine tourism experience by visiting the Hameau Georges Dubœuf theme park, the first wine tourism park in Europe. All the secrets of the famous Beaujolais wine will be revealed at this high-quality wine tourism site. 

Cellar master at Mumm since 2006, Didier Mariotti continues the winemaking traditions of nearly two centuries. He makes the Mumm wines with his own sensibility while remaining faithful to the signature of this famous champagne. 

If you were a wine enthusiast, what would interest you most about Mumm? 

First of all our vineyard: 218 hectares, including 160 hectares classified as high-quality grand cru vines, situated in eight historic villages where all the authenticity of the Champagne wine district can be seen: Aÿ, Bouzy, Ambonnay, Verzy, Verzenay, Mailly, Avize and Cramant. This vineyard is dominated by Pinot Noir grapes, which are emblematic of the Mumm style, and come from the Montagne de Reims (170 hectares). It extends to a grand cru Chardonnay from Cramant and Avize on the Côte des Blancs (31 hectares), and to the Marne Valley, which mainly has Pinot Meunier vines (17 hectares). The wine cellars are the most impressive part of the Champagne region, with 25 km of tunnels allowing for the storage of 25 million bottles. The visit takes you into the history of the company through a very informative tour.

What are the most popular places among wine tourists visiting Champagne?

The Moulin de Verzenay offers an impressive panorama of the vineyards of the region. It makes you realize the richness and diversity of the Champagne region’s heritage. Restored in 1949, it is part of the Mumm heritage. I also like the Pershing bar at Verzenay and I enjoy walking along the streets of the village of Hautvillers.

What are the most surprising combinations of food and champagne you can recommend?

Strangely, I find that champagne goes very well with mezzés  (a range of Greek appetizers)! It also goes very well with Japanese cuisine: sushis, sashimis and tempuras.

Discover the vineyards of the Corbières region on five themed wine routes. Each can take one or several days to complete.

Travel through the vineyards of the Languedoc wine region and the wine district of Corbières. There are five itineraries to choose from: the route passing the étangs (ponds) and the sea, the route taking you to the historic Cathar sites, the road to discover the famous Boutenac wine, the Alaric route, and the road from Narbonne to Lézignan-Corbières. And there are dozens of wine cellars and vineyards to explore along the way. With no start, no finish and no obligatory stops along the way, it’s up to you choose. When you taste the wine you may well fall in love with this southern country, with its singsong accent, winegrowers and ancient traditions. 

Discover the wines of the Languedoc region in this magnificent seventeenth-century chateau, near Carcassonne, who was awarded the 2019 Wine Tourism Trophies Golden Prize in the “Architecture & Sceneries” category : visit wine cellars, enjoy wine tastings and discover the vineyard in a Citroen 2CV. 

The cradle of the Lorgeril family’s six vineyards in the Languedoc, the Chateau de Pennautier is a historic seventeenth-century building where you can really enjoy the French lifestyle. At a stone’s throw from the city of Carcassonne, taste the wines of Languedoc in the chateau’s wine cellars, introduce yourself to wine tasting and making, and discover the vineyard on foot, bike or in a classic Citroen 2CV!

Choose from guest houses, home stays or the chateau itself, and enjoy a stay in an exceptional setting in the heart of the origin-approved (AOC) wine district of Cabardès. A magical place for professional or private events!