| Touring the wine making regions of France in | | | | Rhone has a distinctly Mediterranean climate; |
| a hire car is the perfect way sample all this | | | | much warmer than its northerly counterpart. |
| unique country has to offer. The wines of | | | | The most famous wine of the region is |
| France are generally regarded as the best in | | | | Chateauneuf-du-Pape, which combines thirteen |
| the world and with a long heritage; some say | | | | different grapes in a sumptuous blend. Whites |
| the sixth century BC. This ensures that they | | | | and fortified wines can also be found in the |
| have had plenty of practice with wine making | | | | region and suit the climate slightly more |
| methods. Car hire services will allow you to | | | | than the reds. |
| tour vineyards and the quaint villages of | | | | |
| France, sampling, reds, whites and some | | | | Bordeaux is one of the largest wine growing |
| marvellous cuisine. | | | | regions in the world and is a joy to tour in |
| | | | a hire car. It is naturally suited to grow |
| The only choice is which part of France to | | | | fine grapes with limestone soils, many rivers |
| tour, it al depends upon what wines suit your | | | | and a maritime climate that make ideal |
| pallet. The various regions all have distinct | | | | growing conditions. |
| wines that are as much part of the local | | | | |
| identity as the language and accent. A hire | | | | France is full of growing regions but |
| car allows tourists to travel at their own | | | | Bordeaux has some of the widest variety of |
| pace and achieve true relaxation. The benefit | | | | grapes in the country. Along with the Red |
| of being able to stop en route and enjoy a | | | | Bordeaux grape (commonly known as claret in |
| lunch in a French cafe cannot be | | | | England), Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot |
| underestimated. Just try not to indulge too | | | | grapes are common. Whites from this region of |
| much in the local grape variety before | | | | France tend to be made from the Semillon and |
| jumping in your hire car for the next stage | | | | Sauvignon Blanc grapes. |
| of your journey. | | | | |
| | | | In the north of France, a fairly lengthy but |
| Beaujolais is one of the classic wine | | | | enjoyable drive in a hire car from the |
| producing regions and makes an awesome road | | | | southern regions is where the Champagne area |
| trip holiday in a hire car. Laying near the | | | | is situated. Lying so far north it is one of |
| Rhone Alps the varieties of wine are | | | | the most northerly wine growing regions which |
| essentially easy drinking reds that have a | | | | results in grapes not fully ripening and |
| fruity character. Not intended for long | | | | subsequently having a high level of acidity. |
| storage they make ideal bistro wines and as a | | | | |
| result, good quality wines can be purchased | | | | This is perfect for sparkling wines and |
| for relatively low expense. | | | | hence, these are what the region is most |
| | | | famous for. The champagne houses have been in |
| A short drive in your hire car will take you | | | | existence for centuries with Ruinart being |
| into the Rhone Valley, here both whites and | | | | founded in 1729 and Moet et Chandon being |
| reds can be found due to the startling | | | | founded in 1743, with such heritage it is |
| climate changes from north to south. The | | | | little wonder that the sparkling wines of the |
| Syrah grape is common in the north and is | | | | region are seen as the best in the world. |
| used to create some fine examples of Shiraz | | | | |
| type wines. Predominantly reds, the wines of | | | | A tour of the wine growing regions of France |
| the northern region are renowned for their | | | | by hire car makes an ideal trip for those who |
| olive and bacon aromas whilst being bolder | | | | like to sample the finer things in life. The |
| than the Beaujolais' reds. | | | | gorgeous reds of the south are every wine |
| | | | fans dream while the champagne houses offer |
| Southern Rhone is a scenic drive which is | | | | elegance and fine sparkling wines. For the |
| perfect for those using car hire services. | | | | connoisseur or those who simply like a tipple |
| Following the river down country, southern | | | | this is a brilliant road trip to undertake. |