Champagne in Champagne? Three wine region getaways to book now

Wine regions are some of the most place iconic destinations for a weekend getaway for a number of reasons. The first and most important one is, of course, wine! Enjoying a bottle of Rioja in Rioja, or a glass of Champagne in Champagne, or even a carafe of Chablis in Chablis is the pinnacle of a great weekend trip. But there are other unmissable reasons to visit any wine region; guaranteed good food and good weather.

Wine and food go hand-in-hand, meaning that nearly every wine region you travel to will have streets lined with buzzy cafes, wine bars and a vibrant restaurant scene. Grapes only grow in warm and beautiful places, so if you opt for a wine centric getaway, you’ll get to enjoy the holy trinity of gorgeous drinks, food and weather.

With so many amazing wine regions only a quick flight from Ireland, here are my top three places to travel for a weekend away.

1. Prosecco

Yes, you have read correctly, the prosecco region is an easy and fun weekend getaway to enjoy with your besties. So why not plan your own prosecco festival in the heart of action. There are two large towns, Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, to pick from for your stay. Both have fabulous boutique hotels, gorgeous restaurants, al fresco café culture and stunning architecture. You could opt to stay in either hub, or opt for Italy’s famous agriturismi scene (farm stays) where you’ll be surrounded by vineyards and have easy access to numerous wineries for tastings and tours. Make sure to hang out on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the best streets in Italy to enjoy your glass of fizz.

Getting there: The best airport to fly into is Treviso, which is only a 40 minute drive to the main hubs of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene , or you can fly to Marco Polo in Venice, but the drive time becomes 90 minutes.

2. Chablis

Imagine a weekend where you only drink Chablis? One of the world’s most famous wines regions is also a very Gucci-esque town south of Paris. The town itself is as beautiful as the wines, so it’s definitely worth a two night stay.

The town is situated right in the centre of the vineyards and is pretty as a picture, spotlessly pristine and extremely safe. With a population of around 2,200 people it boasts six restaurants in the Michelin guide. Plan in some cellar door visits and wine tastings to really get into the Chablis mood and make sure you try some Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines. Before you know if you’ll be a Chablis expert.

Getting there: Chablis is located a 2.5 hour drive south of Paris so the only airport worth flying into is Paris Charles de Gaulle. You can either rent a car to drive down or take the TGV train which takes a similar about of time.

3. Provence

Did someone say ‘Rose’? Rose is not just for summer, its also for holidays, and the best place to enjoy it is the heartland of French Rose, Provence. Located inland from the Cote d’Azur, Aix-en-
Provence is one of the South’s most significant towns. It offers the perfect blend of culture, relaxation, gastronomy and Rose, to create a perfect weekend away.

Build up a thirst by visiting Atelier Cezanne, the former studio of the famous Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne. His former studio has been preserved as a museum and gives insight into the life of this world famous artist. On top of a host of fresh colourful markets, make sure you rendez-vous on the tree lined Boulevard of Cours Mirabeau for a glass of Rose and some nibbles.

Aix’s old town is one of the prettiest in France, making it the only place to go for dinner and the party atmosphere.

Getting there: Marseille is the closest airport with only a 30 minute drive to the Aix, but you can also fly into Avignon-Provence Airport or Nîmes-Alès-Camargue- Cévennes Airport, both of which will take over 90 minutes to drive.

To learn more about wine regions, tips and wine FAQs, visit Michelle’s YouTube Channel or visit her online wine shop the thenudewineco.ie which delivers nationwide.