Fine wines and landscapes, plus a warm welcome!
From the French Moselle wine-producing areas to those of Beaujolais, via the Burgundian ones of the Côte Chalonnaise and the Mâconnais, La Voie Bleue takes you alongside iconic vineyards. Make the most of this good fortune to taste authentic wines that reflect the areas where they’re made. Do stop at local wineries, country inns, wine bars or village café terraces to sample them.
AOC Moselle wines
The grape varieties Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Auxerrois are grown across the Moselle Valley slopes given over to vines. Three separate areas of vineyards stand out between the border with Luxembourg and a bit south of the city of Metz. To learn about the history of Moselle AOC red, rosé and white wines and to appreciate their aromas and tastes, best visit some wine cellars along the way!
AOC Côtes de Toul wines
The vines that produce appellation AOC Côtes de Toul wines grow across eight villages well worth exploring. The Toulois winemakers make reds, whites and Gris de Toul, the last a type of rosé with a clear, light colour. The vineyards occupy well-exposed plots that bring out distinctive qualities in the three main grape varieties grown here – you’ll never have tasted such expressions of Gamay, Pinot Noir and Auxerrois before!
Côte Chalonnaise
In southern Burgundy, in the county of Saône-et-Loire, you can cycle along past the Côte Chalonnaise vineyards. These vine-covered slopes form part of the Route des Grands Vins. You’ll encounter such appellations as Bouzeron, Rully, Mercurey, Givry and Montagny, named after villages located close to Chalon-sur-Saône.
The Mâconnais vineyards
In the area known as the Vignoble du Mâconnais, you meander between the Saône and nearby vineyards, riding through iconic heritage and wine locations in southern Saône-et-Loire. From Tournus Abbey to the steep slopes of the Roche de Solutré, you pass through an intensely diverse range of vineyards. This diversity is reflected in the seven appellation wines produced in this area: Mâcon and Mâcon Village, at a wider level; Pouilly-Fuissé, Pouilly-Loché, Pouilly-Vinzelles, Saint-Véran and Viré-Clessé for the smaller appellations, distinguished by the addition of the name of a specific village.
Beaujolais vineyards
World-renowned, the wines of the Beaujolais area have become synonymous with festivity and conviviality. The vineyards stretch across beautiful hills with a touch of Tuscany to them, typical villages dotted here and there. Try out top beaujolais wines together with regional culinary specialities on the village squares, in country inns, at individual wineries, in Michelin-starred restaurants, in châteaux and in more places besides.
‘Vignoble & Découvertes’ accredited addresses along La Voie Bleue
The ‘Vignobles & Découvertes’ label, or mark, has been put in place to help you plan a stay in the vineyards easily, proposing carefully selected services and facilities.
Participating local partners displaying the ‘Vignobles & Découvertes’ label have all signed up to respect a whole range of requirements, including offering a warm welcome (both in French and in another language), engaging with visitors on the subject of wine and explaining enthusiastically about local wine-making, proving able to present the natural, cultural and human heritage of these parts.
This all enables you to unearth easily accommodation in the midst of the vines and restaurants that match wines to food, or menus putting local produce to the fore, as well as wineries that will give you a warm welcome. In addition, a selection of remarkable heritage sites, activities and events are also put to the fore, widening the range of local know-how to enjoy and helping you to discover the finest local crafts and treasures.
Find all the destinations awarded ‘Vignoble & Découverte’ accreditation along La Voie Bleue: in the Côte Chalonnaise; in the Mâconnais area; and in the Beaujolais wine area, going from beaujolais Crus to beaujolais Villages.