CURIOUS WINE ROAD OF PROVENCE
France Route D7 - Coteaux de Aix-en-Provence
While the food and sunshine of Provence is well known among travelers
to France, in years past the wines of Provençe
have been disparaged as the equivalent of “jug wine” mostly, known for Rose
blends from wine associations, but the region has been growing in popularity
with a resurgence of revitalized vineyards with young fresh wine makers
and transplanted heartier vines. Of course, wine has been made here
since Roman times, with viniculture a long-standing tradition. More
of the local vintages are being exported from the many small family
run wineries. The emergence of the area in both the popularity of its
product and touring can be seen in the construction of new tasting "degustation" centers
and traditional caves "caveau de venté" for wandering
wine tourists.
The
wines from the Coteaux-de-Aix-en-Provence between
Aix-en-Provence and Avignon in the south of France have mostly been
whites and roses from the Grenache and Semillon,
but Cabernet Sauvignon has been growing to maturity. The d'Avignon
Road, France Route 7, the old highway which parallels A8 auto-route
between Aix-en-Provence and Avignon cuts through the heart this
appellation with many wineries and wine caves to visit for the vino-tourist,
along with some other curiosities.
The Chateau
de Beaupré near the town of St. Cannat has been growing
wines since the Baron Emile Double started the vineyards in 1890 around
the ancestral home chateau country house built in the 1700’s and
the winery is still run by the Double family. The chateau is surrounded
by a hundred acres of tree grown land between the vines. The Chateau
de Beaupre’s wine cellar is stacked with original oak casks of
aging Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah and the tasting room is
cocooned in the cool but cozy centuries old stone cellar of the traditional
Provencal manor
house.
The traditions of the wine history can be seen in the ancient wine presses
on the property. Virtually across the road a rather different wine tasting
experience can be had at the La Bargemone 
winery.
On land originally connected to the Knights Templar
in the
1300’s and the
Count de Baux, incorporated in the Templar cross of the winery’s
label, Le Bargemone is a symbol of the resurgence of the area. While
proud of its early history, Le Bargemone now operated by the Garin family
with vineyards replanted in the 1960's focuses on modern methods of wine
making to ensure the purity of its product, creating high quality wines
focusing on Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache and Cabernet varietals. But wine
is not the only stop along this route between Provence and Avignon.
Chateau
de Beaupre
La
Bargemone
CHILDREN'S
VILLAGE OF FAIRY TALE FANTASY
Village des Automates
Also
to be found on this curious path through the vineyards and woodlands
is a unique stop for families. The Village of Automates is a children's
park of unique curiosity. It may not be enough for a trip on its own,
but a unique stop along wine route. The main attraction here are
automated figures, mostly from fairy tales and
children's
stories.
The figurines
which play
out their actions when a button is pressed
are set 
out
along a trail through the woodland trees. A giant Gulliver tormented
by Lilliputians, Pinocchio in prison and caught
in the mouth of a huge blue whale, singing
crocodiles, and toy soldiers. There are other activities as well, a maze,
games, a petting zoo and pony rides. The entrance cost is a few
euros. 
There are no big carnival rides here and its a long way from Disneyland,
but entertaining for an afternoon, if not just a bit spooky. The operators
and figures don't speak English, but the language of kids it pretty much
universal. You can see the park from the road but the entrance is about
a kilometer away, so don't rush past, its worth a stop whether you've
got children or not, especially after several tipples of wine.
For a nearby romantic hotel along the route in this beautiful setting the Le Moulin de Vernegues Hotel and Restaurant de Pont Royal in Mallemort is a four star hideaway in a 17th Century Provence manor house on the edge of Pont Royal Golf Course designed by Seve Ballesteros with a discount on green fees. In the summer they host sports activities like mountain bike relays and tennis tournaments. This is more a mid-price luxury level hotel, but two fine restaurants serve local Provençal cuisine and a special wine tasting menu with terrace service in good weather. © Bargain Travel Europe
Read reviews of Moulin de Vernegues and Mallemort Hotels
Find best travel and hotel deals in Provence at TripAdvisor
Web Info
Moulin
de Vernegues Hotel
These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission.
See Also:
ROMAN AMPHITHEATER ORANGE PROVENCE
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT COTE D'AZUR
LE LUBERON HOTEL RESTAURANT PROVENCE
CHATEAU DES BAUX CASTLE RUINS IN PROVENCE
CHATEAU L'AUBERGE BERNE PROVENCE
