France’s Institut National de l’Information Géographique et Forestière (IGN) has just unveiled the latest edition of its map dedicated to French wines.

The map is full of information about French vineyards, with everything you need to know about the regions where the different grapes are grown, the appellations d’origine protégées (AOPs), protected geographical indications, tourist itineraries and so much more!

Vins de France is available in map form or as a laminated poster — and it’s your ideal road partner as you make your way through France’s vineyards. 

The Sommelier Experience is ideal for intermediate to advanced wine lovers who have got what it takes to learn what is required to become a professional sommelier... in just 2 ½ hours.

"When drinking an older or rare wine, I always offer the waiter or sommelier a taste."
Antonio Galloni

From the heart of one of Burgundy’s most historic vineyards, become a wine expert in no time at all.

Along the way, explore the world’s wine regions, learn how to build your own cellar, study food and wine pairings and take part in our famous blind tasting analysis so you can identify any wine simply by smell and by sip.

Designed by our sommeliers, for aspiring sommeliers, this immersive, and educational, experience will ensure you have all you need to take your passion to the next level.

PROGRAM:

• What is a Sommelier?
• Old World Versus New World
• Quality Levels (AOCs, DOCG, AVAs)
• Building Your Own Cellar
• Storing and Handling Wines
• Aging Wines
• Selecting Stemware
• Food & Wine Pairings
• Why, When and How to Decant
• Wine Presentation
• Blind Tasting Analysis

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

The Sommelier Experience is your first stop to wine enlightenment. Come prepared to drink in a lot of different topics. Our ambition is to offer you an intensive course that details the everyday duties of international sommeliers, touching on the world of international wine markets, grape varieties, aging, handing wines, food pairing, wine service and blind tasting. While our Sommelier Experience can’t certify you as a sommelier, it will ensure you have an impressive and enviable head start.

WHAT YOU’LL TASTE:

Blind tasting is one of the most challenging and entertaining part of a sommelier’s training. We’ll accompany you through a blind tasting of eight wines from around the world.

Of course, we can’t reveal them here!

WINE ADVISORS:

All of our Wine Experiences are hosted by sommeliers and Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) trained professionals. Our Wine Advisors offer a thoughtful and authoritative approach to help educate about the history of wine, biodynamic vineyard management, our signature winemaking techniques and how to taste wine correctly.

A favorite grape of sommeliers and wine lovers alike, Pinot Noir is Burgundy’s greatest export. Come and discover this multi-faceted varietal while walking through one of its historic birthplaces - Clos Marey-Monge.

Château de Pommard’s Pinot Noir Experience will guide you through the deep-rooted the soils of Clos Marey-Monge and reveal every step that occurs between the terroir under your feet and the wine in your glass.

PROGRAM:

• Orientation
• History of Pinot Noir Cultivars
• Origin of Pinot Noir Wines
• Pinot Noir at Château de Pommard
• Viticulture and Biodynamics
• Terroir, Soils and Climats and Expression
• Vendange, Vinification, Aging and Blending
• Tasting Techniques
• Vertical Pinot Noir Tasting

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

The origin and history of this coveted grape’s birthplace will be unearthed – and Burgundy will be revealed as the world’s finest expression of Pinot Noir.

In Clos Marey-Monge a vintage is never the same twice, allowing a deep connection between winemaker and vineyard to flourish and blossom.

This immersive Wine Experience will walk-and-talk you through a year in the life of the vines from pruning to hibernation, bud break to harvest and prepare to be amazed as this delectable fruit becomes elegant wine through Château de Pommard’s signature winemaking techniques – all of which are explained.

The real education, of course, will be for your tastebuds when you experience the enviable Burgundy Pinot Noirs from different terroir as well as different vintages from the same terroir.

WHAT YOU’LL TASTE:

The highlight of the Pinot Noir Experience takes place in our private tasting rooms.

With a vertical tasting of four different vintages of our Clos Marey-Monge Monopole and four Burgundy mythical Pinot Noir appellations from Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, all vinified exclusively at Château de Pommard, your senses will thank you for the experience swiftly after you’ve swirled and sipped, relaxing in the comfort of having expanded your Wine IQ too.

A STUNNING LOCATION:

Château de Pommard is situated just south of Beaune, the heart of Burgundy.

Our Wine Experiences take place onsite at the Château in our Wine Experience Center, a location designed to satisfy all of your five senses.

Famille Carabello-Baum is the fifth family to steward the domain in almost three centuries and their vision is to introduce wine enthusiasts from around the world to the elegant tastes of Burgundy.

Michael’s personal journey with wine began when he first traveled to France on his honeymoon with his wife Julie 25 years ago. The passion he experienced then remains undimmed, and now his passion for French wine and culture has brought his family to Burgundy as the new owners of Château de Pommard. Splitting his time between San Francisco and Pommard, Michael enjoys studying the incredible diversity of the seven micro-terroir found in Clos Marey-Monge, working to bring sustainable practices to the estate's viticulture and winemaking and sharing the beauty of Burgundy with the world in new and innovative ways.

“Our team at Château de Pommard have three simple ambitions: to always work in harmony with the laws of nature, maintain a hands-off approach and let the vintage do the talking. That's it. Embracing sustainability and biodynamic viticulture is not just about making elegant and delectable wines, it’s about making a connection with the planet that we all call home.”

And with the recent launch of six new Wine Experiences, clients of all wine knowledge levels – from novice to seasoned wine enthusiasts – are offered a unique and entertaining wine education including incredibly rare insights into the untouchable world of Burgundy’s terroir, viticulture and winemaking.

“As we advance our own knowledge of how to collaborate with nature to accomplish our goals, we are committed to sharing our learnings with the world in the hope that we can all live healthier, more enjoyable lives, and leave this place better than we found it for future generations.” 

– Michael Baum, CEO & Propriétaire

Push open the door to an independent wine estate and explore this passionate metier and its unique lifestyle — an entire philosophy, you might say!

Meet an independent winegrower in the flesh and spend a cordial moment together.

The independent winemakers invite you behind the scenes of their estates so you can explore the hidden treasures of their vines, either on a day excursion or over a weekend.

The winemakers will be happy to take you into their very special world, sharing their experience with you, as well as introducing their profession, working environment, facilities and wines in a very wide-ranging programme!

Designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, this audacious new building not only complies with industry codes but also showcases the region’s heritage, with the materials evoking the region around the complex, the Luberon Natural Park.

A visit to La Cavale will take you to the heart of the area’s oenological heritage, enlisting all your senses with its educational tours, an “olfactory bar” and tastings.

La Cavale offers a range of tours and events, so why not come and discover this unique venue?

Fancy a day out in the Loire Valley’s vineyards? Then take a road trip and explore the chateaux and wines of this iconic region.

No need to plan your itinerary, we’ve got it covered! A private minibus with driver and guided visits and tastings are all included in your “The Greatest Loire Valley” package: everything you need for the perfect trip around the finest locations in the Loire Valley wine region.

No trip to the chateaux of the Loire would be complete without a visit to the Renaissance jewel that is Chambord, and this package is no exception. A royal residence built on the orders of François I, this stone giant soars out of a forest the size of Paris! This historic monument will impress you both with the majestic complexity of its architecture and its mind-boggling proportions: behind the 156 metres of its façade are 400 rooms plus the famous double helix staircase, said to have been designed by Léonard da Vinci.

Floor by floor, throughout the galleries, large halls and small rooms, discover the secrets from over 500 years of French history... And let’s not forget the splendid formal French gardens that adorn this stunning site with their magnificent flowerbeds and borders.

Next it’s time for a visit to Les Caves Duhard, a wine merchant and cellar, where you can enjoy a thematic tour of vintage wines and an original sensory journey through Loire Valley wines.

Vouvray, Montlouis, Chinon, Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil… A sommelier will share the secrets of these fine wines during a tasting, followed by a chance to sample cheeses, charcuterie and other French delicacies during a wine and food pairing session.

Your next stop on this tour of the Loire: the Château de Chenonceau. Many women, from Catherine de' Medici to Diane de Poitiers, have made their mark on this chateau.

An influence that has lent Chenonceau, famed for its distinctive bridge-like silhouette, the name “Château des Dames”. Their impact can be spotted throughout the property, particularly as you stroll through the sumptuous gardens.