1. Château Siaurac, Bordeaux
2. Cité du Vin Museum, Bordeaux
3. Château de Rayne Vigneau
4. Beaujoulais Wine Region
5. Médoc

Wherever you are in France, there’s a good chance an idyllic vineyard is somewhere nearby. At last count, there were an incredible 27,000 vineyards found throughout the French countryside. Australia, 14 times the size of France, is home to 24,000.

This is because wine in France is much more than an alcoholic beverage. It’s an art form bordering on religion, with a full-bodied history that’s long on the palate. Scenic’s ultra-luxury European river cruise takes you to the heart of this phenomenon with an abundance of experiences that deliver beyond expectation. Here are five of the most exceptional.

The prestigious Pomerol wine growing region has many high achievers, but Château Siaurac is a standout. The largest estate in the appellation, the 18th century Château is surrounded by century-old woodlands and features a charming English-style country garden. This beautiful backdrop is home to three distinct, award-winning wines, the prized Merlot grape lending each one a fruity flavour. With Scenic, you can choose to pair the chateau’s wines with a day of cycling; explore the sprawling, 15-hectare estate at your leisure on one of our bikes before tasting some of these delectable drops on either 11 day Beautiful Bordeaux or 8 day Bordeaux Affair river cruise.

Overlooking the waters of the Bassin a Flot on the banks of the Gironde is the architecturally unique Cité du Vin, a museum dedicated to wine. Since opening in 2016, the $130 million museum has become a must-visit destination for wine lovers worldwide. Cité du Vin’s exterior shape is inspired by the movement of wine swirling in a glass. Inside is a truly interactive experience, with tastings, seminars and a tour. The highlight must be The Buffet of the Five Senses, which breaks down every wine aroma so you can finesse your sense of smell.

Experience this on 11 day Beautiful Bordeaux.

One of the most magical estates in France, the Château de Rayne is a masterpiece. Standing proudly above 185 acres of undulating landscape, the sprawling picture-perfect vineyards boast a rich history. For almost four centuries, the 17th century Château de Rayne has created one of the finest Sauternes in the world. With Scenic, you’ll not only enjoy a luxury wine tasting experience but also learn of the traditional methods this idyllic vineyard uses to create its superior crus. For those who like to get involved rather than sit back and watch, you can become a picker for the day or simply ride through the grounds on horseback.

Visit included on 11 day Beautiful Bordeaux or 8 day Bordeaux Affair river cruise.

Breathtakingly beautiful, the Beaujolais wine region stretches from Macon down towards Lyon. That’s just over 70 kilometres of magnificent vineyards all creating one of the world’s most popular wine varieties. The countryside here is known as La Terre des Pierres Dorées (“the land of the golden stones”), and it doesn’t take long to understand why. Each picture-perfect village throughout the region is peppered with limestone buildings of all shapes and sizes. On your Scenic Space-Ship, you’ll glide right into the very core of this region on an 11 day Spectacular South of France river cruise, where you’ll meet a local vintner to sample some of his best vintages and learn the story of Beaujolais’ journey to global adoration.

In the winemaking business since the 18th century, Médoc is viewed as the world’s leading red wine producer, with cabernet sauvignon the cream of the crop. This spectacular region features more than 16,000 hectares of vineyards to explore across eight appellations. Scenic takes you across undulating countryside by coach, a picturesque journey that follows the winding Route des Chateaux (“Route of the Castles”) from Bordeaux to the Pointe de Grave at the northern end of the region. If you’re feeling active, hop on a Scenic e-bike for a self-guided tour of Médoc‘s many fine aristocratic chateaux. Whichever you choose, your journey ends at a prestigious winery for a tasting of the region’s finest.

Experience Médoc on 11 day Beautiful Bordeaux or 8 day Bordeaux Affair river cruise.