Living the Lifestyle

Living the “wine lifestyle” is so much more than simply making and drinking wine.  Last summer, I was lucky enough to be able to experience a part of this lifestyle while travelling through Europe.  

Though I did many tours of vineyards throughout Germany, Italy, and France, my tour through the Beaujolais Region of France was unforgettable.  The rolling hills of the gorgeous countryside were a sight for a tired traveller’s eyes, and we got to take our time and explore the breathtaking region.   

Outside the Vineyard

One of the properties we visited was Domaine de Cruix, just outside of Lyon, France.   Upon entrance, we were greeted by our guide in front of huge barrels, and were walked through the process of wine making from the actual growth of the grapes, to the fermentation and aging of the wine.  We were given a few different Beaujolais wines to taste, including the prestigious “Beaujolais Nouveau” and a White Beaujolais, and were shown the correct way to swirl, smell, swish, and taste the wine.  Domaine de Cruix has been creating wine since 1710, so the tour was a wealth of information… and great wine!  At the end of the tour, we all purchased bottles of our favourite wines, and were free to continue to explore.

Beaujolais- the wine and the view are both amazing!

The travelling and touring of each vineyard was amazing on its own, but one of the best things about this trip was bringing these wines home.  It was definitely an exciting way for me to share the “wine lifestyle” with my friends and family, and bring part of Europe’s wine history back home with me.  So if you ever get an opportunity to do any vineyard visits, in Canada or abroad, jump at the opportunity!  As we all know, there is nothing better than a nice bottle of wine and great company!

Megan

Wine Sense- Portage Avenue