Burgundy Itinerary

More Wine Tasting in the Côtes D'Or

Still in the heart of wine country, but today has a different feel to it. Yesterday our cycling holiday led us through world-famous vineyards, producers of wines that most of us will never taste. Today, as we explore the Côtes de Beaune, we tackle some more challenging cycling and visit the beautiful villages of Savigny-les-Beaune and Aloxe-Corton on our route to Beaune. Here, the wine makers can't command the sky-high prices of their more illustrious neighbours, but at their best still produce high-quality wines.

Today is a relatively short cycling day. We start with a visit to Cassisseum - a celebration of Creme de Cassis, where we'll learn about the classic Burgundy apéritif Kir, and its link to the phylloxera invasion of the 19th Century.  After we leave Nuits St Georges we cycle through the delightfully named Pernand Vergelesses and Aloxe Corton on our way to wine-tasting in Savigny-les-Beaune, before we make our way to Beaune.

Beaune is dominated by the wine industry. The old town exists still behind its old wall, and the centre is filled with the premises of négociantes as well as the wonderful Athanæum shop, a serious threat to the wallet of any wine-lover, and featuring books and artefacts as well as its fine wine shop. The highlight, though, is the Hospice, and a visit is a must.

We stay at the Hotel de la Cloch close to the centre, and we eat in the centre of the beautiful old town.