Bienvenue au Tour de Dan's! It's time to pack your passport and corkscrew for a wine-powered journey through some of France's greatest wine regions. From the hallowed Burgundian vineyards to the lavender fields of Provence, this is a chance to properly immerse yourself in France's rich history, food and, of course, wines. Ready to go?
Shop Bordeaux WineWelcome to the most famous wine region in the world, a place where the rivers run red with blends of merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Split between the Left Bank and Right Bank, Bordeaux is a vinous beast known for birthing some of the most powerful, palatable wines ever produced. It also happens to be one of France's cultural centres, complete with art museums, grand mansions and a truly unforgettable food scene.
Shop Loire Valley WineSleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast – all their castles are said to be inspired by hundreds of châteaux scattered through the Loire Valley, so make no mistake, the Loire is a wine region fit for kings and queens. The wines themselves live up to the hype, perhaps none more so than sauvignon blanc from Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, in all their mineral, flinty, refreshing glory.
Shop Alsace WineThis pretty little pocket between France and Germany has a fascinating history and fantastic white wines. Crisp riesling, honeyed pinot gris and aromatic gewürztraminer are regional favourites, tasting even better when they're drunk among the timber houses and fairytale towns that dot the picturesque Alsace Wine Route.
Shop Burgundy WineTerroir – have you heard of it? It's everything that makes a wine a wine – the soil, climate, altitude and a certain je ne sais quoi – and nowhere celebrates it quite like Burgundy. With the best Burgundies – both white and red – selling for thousands of dollars, you'd be forgiven for thinking the region is beyond you, but fear not. There's gold in these hills, hidden in the lesser-known, but equally delicious, parts of Burgundy.
Shop Beaujolais WineFun, flirty and flavoursome – say hello to Beaujolais. This underrated gem is making its mark on the world as a more complex wine than it was once thought to be, with the best of Beaujolais giving the famous red Burgundies a run for their money. The gamay grape rules the region, producing super juicy, lighter styles of red that are similar to pinot noir, capable of being both the life of the party and perfectly serious when they need to be.
Shop Rhône WineThere's no place like Rhône. Or is it Rhône, sweet Rhône? Pick your pun and we'll pick a wine from one of the Rhône's top areas. Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes-du-Rhône, Saint-Péray – these are rockstars of the wine world, born outside the World Heritage-listed city of Lyon, which conveniently happens to be France's gastronomic capital.
Shop Provence WineAh, Provence. When we think France, this is what comes to mind. Charming, rural villages filled with fromageries and boulangeries, lavender fields stretching to the horizon and a complex, fascinating history. Oh, and rosé. Pretty, pink, perfumed rosé to make us feel oh so chic.
Shop Languedoc WineOne of the most underrated wine regions in France, Languedoc-Roussillon stretches from the foothills of the Pyrenees to the border of Provence. This means lots of different grapes, plenty of unique styles, and enough sights to keep the most energetic tourist occupied. There's also a ton of value to be had here if you know where to look – that's where your tour guide Dan comes in.