a&c 2016 reserve collection brochure

2016

Wine Tours

Ultimate Fine Wine ToursRESERVE COLLECTION

2 www.winetours.co.uk

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4 The Reserve Collection ExperienceAll you need to know about joining us on tour...

6 Wine ExpertsLet the professionals lead the way to great wine!

7 Reserve CollectionThe ultimate wine tours.

10 Ultimate Champagne A simply superior Champagne stay…

14 First Growths BordeauxDiscover the best that Bordeaux has to offer…

18 Stars of the Left BankThe bank that brought Bordeaux fame…

22 Stars of the Right BankSo much more than the Left Bank’s little sister…

26 Burgundy CelebrationHistoric and highly respected…

28 Calendar and AvailabilityTake a look at the year ahead in wine tours

30 Our Tour CollectionsThere’s a wine tour for everyone - which will you choose?

32 Essential Booking Information

34 Bespoke Tours & Private Groups

WELCOME

Dear Travellers,

I am delighted to present the A&C 2016 Reserve Collection Brochure. It is hard to find a superlative that

can do justice to these particular tours. They are, quite simply, the finest wine tours you will find anywhere in the world. Flick through, and there are the First Growth Châteaux positively littering our Bordeaux pages – Mouton, Lafite, Latour, Margaux, Haut-Brion and D’Yquem all open their doors for us. As a lover of champagne, I can’t resist drawing your attention to our dinner at Tattinger’s Château de la Marqueterie. Here, as on all our tours, you are treated as honoured guests of the house. Raise your glasses in the heart of the Champenois vineyards, amid all the glory of 18th century French palatial architecture. You will find so much more on the following pages; it is, truly, the stuff that wine lovers dreams are made of. If you have any questions please do contact me, or my team at the A&C office, Happy travels and happy tasting, Caron FanshaweGeneral Manager Arblaster & Clarke

To the Arblaster & Clarke 2016 Reserve Brochure...

4 www.winetours.co.uk4 Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

These are the ultimate wine tours.

Join us to visit properties that are normally absolutely closed to visitors. Taste the finest wines from the finest vintages and visit ‘unvisitable domaines’. It’s not just the wines that are exclusive, our wine guides are too. Leading the tours, you’ll find the most respected names in the industry, with award winning books and a variety of accolades to their names. The exclusivity doesn’t end here… We stay at luxury châteaux and hotels, or as private guests of wine estates that are closed to the public. We also dine at Michelin starred restaurants and authentic bistros, where local wine merchants and connoisseurs choose to dine. Our small party sizes mean that you will have plenty of time to get to know your Wine Guide and ask questions without in any way feeling inhibited, and gain a greater understanding of the wines.

If you have a passion for fine wine, these unique tours are for you. Enjoy wine visits and tastings

of the very highest calibre.

RESERVE COLLECTION

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Email: [email protected] Call: 01730 263111

ask our in-house experts:For further advice, information and to book,

Visit: www.winetours.co.uk

THE RESERVE EXPERIENCEAll you need to know about joining us on tour...

Ultimate Wine ToursIt’s not ‘what you do’ that is most important, but ‘how you do it’. This is never truer than on our Reserve Collection. These aren’t tours for the average passer by - we have built up relationships with the houses we visit over the last 30 years - the majority of which are closed to the public. We are confident that the memories you take away from our tours will be just as unforgettable as the wines you taste.

Exclusive VisitsSample the very best Vintages and Reserves, and dine at the most exclusive venues. We also visit at least one additional prestige tasting where your Wine Guide will go into great detail on their chosen wine topic during an instructive and illuminating tasting of truly outstanding mature and fine wines. We see it all on tour: from Taittinger’s chalk cellars, to one of the oldest wine-producing châteaux in Bordeaux. The phrase “closed to the public” doesn’t bother us on our Reserve tours. Our extensive contact list can open even the most prestigious of doors.

Fine Local DiningFine wines deserve equally delicious food.Enjoy private invitations to lunch and dinner at leading châteaux and estates; and stop at local bistros and renowned restaurants that produce the most fantastic regional cuisine. The cities we visit aren’t just renowned wine regions - they’re gastronomic hot-spots too. So, if you decide to venture out on your own, you’ll be greeted by all manner of culinary delights. We’ve visited these areas for many years, and have built up quite a ‘little black book’ of recommended bistros and restaurants. We are happy to make recommendations if you wish .

Who Travels On Our Tours?If you enjoy fine wine and have a thirst to learn more, these holidays are perfect for you. The level of wine knowledge varies within our groups - you may be looking to add to an already extensive cellar or may simply like the idea of tasting great wines, where they were made. Everyone is welcome to join us on tour. You are guaranteed to be travelling with people who share your interests and you only have to dine alone if you wish to.

Unparalleled ExpertiseYou will be joined by an Expert Wine Guide and Tour Manager. The Wine Guides are some of the most respected figures in the wine industry - award-winning writers, broadcasters and Masters of Wine. They are perfectly placed to introduce you to the best producers, the finest wines and the overall story of the estates we visit. The Tour Managers work hard behind-the-scenes to ensure that you have a hassle free holiday.

Small GroupOur Reserve tours only take small groups, of no more than 16 guests. We think this is the perfect size to ensure you enjoy good company on tour - but small enough to retain a personal experience. This is a holiday after all. You will have plenty of opportunity to ask questions during wine tastings and visits.

Superb AccommodationWe spend a lot of time and resources sourcing the best accommodation to complement our tours. We stay in superb 4* and 5* boutique hotels, lavish châteaux, private wine-estates and on-board luxury yachts. Many of the hotels we stay in are also home to Michelin starred restaurants. We stay in prime, central locations, so should you wish to explore the area further - you don’t have to go far.

Bespoke ExperiencesWe’ve had the pleasure of arranging private wine tours since we first began touring in 1986. From American wine clubs travelling to Alsace and Argentina; to exclusive groups of wine connoisseurs from Hong Kong touring Burgundy; then there was that Irish wine merchant’s wedding in Portugal... basically, we’ve arranged it all! If you have an idea for your perfect tour - give us a call or email us with the details - with enough notice we can create something perfect just for you.

In addition to wine visits, we always include optional culture and historical excursions on our tours. Led by the Tour Manager or Expert Guide, these give a more rounded picture of a region. As well as a break from wine, should you need one! Detail of excursions are available on our website.

Optional Cultural Excursions

6 Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

Steven Spurrier is founder of the Academie du Vin in Paris - where he staged the famous ‘Judgement’ Tasting of 1976, when a Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from California scored more highly than some of the most prestigious wines of Burgundy and Bordeaux. He also founded the Christie’s Wine Course. He works as a Consultant Editor for Decanter and has written several authoritative books on wine. Steven has one of the most respected palates in the trade and his contacts can open the most prestigious doors. He regularly takes our Reserve level tours.

Steven will be leading Stars of the Right Bank - p. 22

Andrew Jefford is one of the UK’s most respected wine writers. He is also the author of the multiple award winning book, ‘The New France’. He was the drinks writer for The Evening Standard, between 1992 and 2002, and occasionally presents The Food Programme on BBC Radio 4. He writes a bi-monthly column for Decanter and is also contributing editor to the The World of Fine Wine magazine. He has won a number of different distinctions for his work, the latest being ‘International Wine Feature Writer of the Year’ at the Louis Roederer Awards 2011.

Andrew will be leading Ultimate Champagne - p.10 & Burgundy Celebration - p.26

Stephen Brook is a leading expert on Bordeaux and other wine regions of France and is a distinguished wine writer. He has written about the wines of Bordeaux and California on many occasions. He also writes about many other subjects such as travel, which he writes about from a guide book perspective and from more personal accounts. He is an award-winning journalist and contributes to international wine magazines regularly. He lectures on wine at Christie’s Education in London and is in demand as a guest judge at wine competitions around the world.

Stephen will be leading First Growths Bordeaux - p.14

Nicola Arcedeckne-Butler MW specialises in the classic regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy as a buyer for fine wine merchant Private Cellar. She also has a love of all things Italian having lived there in her twenties. Nicola has been a Master of Wine since 1996, and in the trade since 1987. She started her career at Majestic Wine Warehouses in 1987. When she passed the prestigious Master of Wine exam she also collected the Villa Maria Viticulture Award for her viticulture paper. Nicola travels extensively and is as comfortable in the New World as the Old World.

Nicola will be leading Stars of the Left Bank - p.18

Steven SpurrierAndrew JeffordStephen BrookNicola Arcedeckne-Butler MW

Each of our tours is accompanied by an Expert Wine Guide - whose job it is to ensure you get the best out of the region you are visiting. All of the guides who travel with us have an incredible but accessible expanse of knowledge. They make light of talking in depth, and can make even the most complex wine issues interesting and easy to understand.

Many of our guides have worked in the trade for countless years; while others are renowned wine writers and broadcasters; and some are Masters of Wine (MW) - the highest qualification available in the wine trade. Whoever they are, one thing is certain - they like nothing more than a good glass of wine!

Let the professionals lead the way to great wine!

TRAVEL WITH EXPERT WINE GUIDES

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RESERVE COLLECTIONExclusive escapes into the fine wine world...

8 www.winetours.co.ukWine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

A simply superior Champagne stay…

ULTIMATE CHAMPAGNE

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Deposit pp:

Highlights

Without trains pp:

Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

Call: 01730 263111Email: [email protected]: www.winetours.co.uk

To book, or for any questions

£2,885Price inc. rail travel, 5 meals & tips

£500Sgl Supp - £300£3,095

7th - 11th Mar

◊ Explore the Champagne region as part of a small, exclusive party

◊ Visit leading Champagne producers including Taittinger, Pol Roger and a top secret Château to be revealed

◊ Travel with multi award-winning wine journalist and broadcaster Andrew Jefford

◊ Taste some of the best Prestige Cuvées and vintage Champagnes

◊ Stay at a boutique five-star hotel in Epernay

Champagne is like no other wine region in France… and this is a tour like no other. Our spectacular five-day experience explores the region in style. Taste Prestige Cuvées and vintage Champagnes from renowned Champagne Houses, and dine as private guests of top producers. Many of the Houses we visit are not open to the public and so our tour provides the unique opportunity to discover Champagne exclusively behind closed doors.

Sip on Champagne during gourmet lunches; enjoy a memorable tasting experience at Gosset, the oldest wine-producing property in Champagne. We also visit Taittinger’s magnificent chalk cellars dating back to the 4th century and dine in the middle of the vines at the beautiful Château de la Marqueterie. There isn’t a superlative great enough to describe this tour… ‘Ultimate’ comes close.

A simply superior Champagne stay…

ULTIMATE CHAMPAGNE

Wine Guide

The Wines

What’s Included

Itinerary

11FRANCE

Champagne Houses

Standard Premier Class rail tickets from London to Lille

4 nights at a 5* hotel, a 19th century manor house

5 meals with Champagne or wine as described

Local transport: private coach

Visits and tastings as per the itinerary & tips

Wine Guide & Tour Manager

◊ Champagne Philipponnat - an arguably underrated house with a fresh, elegant and plenty of easy-going fruit

◊ Champagne Pol Roger - their prestige wine is the Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill which shows both elegance and complexity

◊ Champagne Jacquesson - they make an annual cuvée, for best possible wine without the constraints of a “house style”

◊ We will taste many more excellent Champagnes

Andrew Jefford is a highly-regarded and multi award-winning wine journalist and broadcaster. He is a regular columnist for Decanter, the Financial Times, Fine Wine and Waitrose Magazine. Andrew is the author of acclaimed books, including The New France, 2008.

“Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!” Dom Perignon

Day 1 – Monday, 7th MarchWe travel to Aÿ. Our first Prestige Champagne tasting will be hosted by Wine Guide Andrew Jefford at our hotel. We dine at Taittinger’s impressive Château de la Marqueterie tonight.Meals: Dinner

Day 2 – Tuesday, 8th MarchOur first visit is to Champagne Gosset, the oldest producer of wine in Champagne. We stop for lunch and a tasting at a famous estate. We continue to Champagne Jacquesson, a small Champagne House dedicated to working to the very highest quality, this afternoon.Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3 – Wednesday, 9th MarchAfter a morning tasting, you have time to explore Reims. There are many beautiful and impressive buildings here, including the Palais de Vergeur. We continue to Louis Roederer, an independent, family-owned Champagne house. This afternoon, we visit Taittinger’s beautiful cellars, which weave for kilometres under the

city of Reims. We stop for dinner and a tasting at Champagne Philipponnat tonight.Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4 – Thursday, 10th MarchWe taste Salon Champagne - produced in very small quantities and only in the greatest vintage years, this morning. Spend some time in Epernay, one of the main centres of Champagne production over lunch. We enjoy a final dinner at Champagne Goutorbe tonight. The leading grower producer won the prestigious “Vigneron of the Year” award in 1996.Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5 – Friday, 11th MarchWe enjoy a final visit to the famous, family owned estate Pol Roger. Their champagnes are known for their elegance and ability to age well. We enjoy lunch at the estate, before travelling back to Lille in time for our return journey to London.Breakfast & Lunch

Champagne Gosset - The oldest producer of Champagne in the region, having been active since 1584. Gosset retain traditional shaped bottles with a little cask fermentation.

Champagne Taittinger - Their beautiful cellars date back to the 4th century and were carved from chalk by the Romans. and house the prestigious ‘Comtes de Champagne’.

Salon Delamotte - Salon Champagne is produced in very small quantities and only in the greatest vintage years.

Champagne Louis Roederer - Founded in 1776, Louis Roederer is an independent, family-owned Champagne house that has a tremendous reputation for quality.

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Discover the best that Bordeaux has to offer…

FIRST GROWTH BORDEAUX

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Highlights

Deposit pp:Without flights pp:




£3,345Price inc.return flights, 7 meals & tips

£500Sgl Supp - £1,500£3,495

14th - 18th Mar Visit and taste at the most exclusive and renowned wineries of Bordeaux, including all of the First Classified Growths. Over five days, we visit spectacular estates and taste such names as Château Lafite-Rothschild and Château Margaux. Fine wine should always be accompanied by fine food and there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy gastronomic meals and local delicacies throughout.

Explore undulating and vastly different landscapes of the Left Bank and Right Bank of Bordeaux. Enjoy free time in the small and pretty villages dotted between the vines and experience the true flavour of the region. Walk through the narrow streets of St. Emilion, lined with rustic shops and bakeries dedicated to producing another regional speciality - macaroons. This tour offers a first-class overview of this most fascinating area of France.

◊ Explore all of the Bordeaux’s First Growth Châteaux, including the renowned Sauternes producer Château d’Yquem

◊ Visit Château Mouton Rothschild’s Labels Room which houses an exhibition of the original artwork dating back to the Victory label from the 1945 vintage that marked the end of the Second World War

◊ Enjoy exclusive access to private accommodation at Second Classified Growth Château Pichon-Longueville Baron - normally closed to the general public

Discover the best that Bordeaux has to offer…

FIRST GROWTH BORDEAUX

Wine Guide

The Wines

Itinerary

15

What’s Included

FRANCE

Return flights: London - Bordeaux

4 nights in 4* hotel châteaux with buffet breakfast each morning

7 meals with wine as described in the itinerary



◊ St Estephe produces wines of power that are sometimes considered more rustic than their Pauillac neighbours which include the 1st Growths Latour, Lafite and Mouton Rothschild

◊ The sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac are amongst the most expensive wines in the world to produce

◊ Merlot dominates the right bank of Bordeaux but Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are also used to great effect

Stephen Brook is an award-winning wine journalist. He has written and contributed to several books on Bordeaux, including The Complete Bordeaux. He has been a guest judge at numerous wine competitions across the world and is a regular participant in the tasting panels for Decanter and World of Fine Wine.

“And there drank a sort of French wine called Ho Bryan that hath a good and most particular taste that I never met with.” Samuel Pepys

Day 1 – Monday, 14th MarchUpon arrival in Bordeaux, we make our way to Château Smith Haut Lafitte. After lunch and a tasting, we transfer to Château Pichon-Longueville Baron, where we will be staying.Meals: Dinner

Day 2 – Tuesday, 15th MarchWe begin at Château Mouton-Rothschild. We enjoy a special tasting and visit the Labels Room, which houses the original artwork behind the estate’s iconic labels. We stop at leading St-Estéphe estate Cos d’Estournel, for a gourmet lunch. Afterwards, we visit Château Lafite-Rothschild. The picture-postcard château is the ideal setting for a tasting of wines rated amongst the best in the world. We dine as guests of Château Branaire-Ducru tonight.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 – Wednesday, 16th MarchWe visit Château Margaux, the appellation’s most renowned estate and classified 1st Growth Château this morning. After a tasting, we

continue to the 2nd Growth Château Pichon-Longueville Lalande for lunch and a tasting. We end the day in style at with an exclusive tasting at 1st Growth Château Latour. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 – Thursday, 17th MarchWe begin at Château Haut-Brion, a 1st Growth producer in the Pessac-Léognan appellation and one of the oldest wine-producing châteaux in the entire region. Enjoy some free time in St-Emilion this afternoon. The UNESCO town is beautiful, with its wonderful cobbled streets and fantastic views over the vineyards. We stop at a leading St-Emilion château for dinner.Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5 – Friday, 18th MarchWe make our way to Château d’Yquem, where we sample the great sweet wines of this iconic château. We continue to Domaine de Chevalier for a final tasting over lunch. We transfer to Bordeaux airport for our return home.Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

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The wines that brought Bordeaux fame…

STARS OF THE LEFT BANK

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Highlights

Without flights pp:Deposit pp:




£3,045Price inc. flights, 8 meals & tips

£500Sgl Supp - £500£3,195

7th - 11th NovFrom north to south, the Left Bank appellations produce some truly spectacular wines. The Médoc, Haut-Médoc and Pessac-Léognan regions produce top-class reds. Totally unlike their Right Bank counterparts, they are powerful and tannic, bold and peppery – dominated by the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives on the gravelly soils left by the ancient course of the river. Graves is home to an array of great dry whites; whilst Barsac and Sauternes are known for their sweet white wines. Travel through an exceptional region. Wines from leading producers command high prices and are some of the most sought-after wines in the world… this is your chance to sample them as private guests of the estates. You also have plenty of time to visit the city of Bordeaux. This UNESCO listed city boasts an excellent choice of restaurants, cafès and wine bars.

◊ Explore the distinct terroirs of the Left Bank of Bordeaux with visits to over a dozen famous Left Bank châteaux

◊ Visit leading Bordeaux estates including Château Mouton-Rothschild and Château Haut-Brion. Many of these estates are not usually open to the public

◊ Enjoy private lunches and dinners at leading châteaux like Château Léoville-Barton

◊ Stay in a chic 4* château set on a 2-hectare vineyard in Paulliac and a 5* luxury hotel in central Bordeaux

The wines that brought Bordeaux fame…

STARS OF THE LEFT BANK

Wine Guide

The Wines

Itinerary

19

What’s Included

FRANCE

Return Flights: London to Bordeaux

4 nights in 4* & 5* hotels in Pauillac and central Bordeaux

8 meals with wine as described in itinerary




◊ Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the red blends of the Left Bank and expresses itself in different ways across the region’s appelations:

◊ The best wines of Margaux have an elegance, a velvet texture and a violet nose

◊ Mineral notes are often present in the reds of Pessac Leognan

◊ Dry white wine made from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are also successfully made across the appellation

Nicola Arcedeckne-Butler MW specialises in the classic regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy as a buyer for Private Cellar. She passed the prestigious Master of Wine exam in 1996, collecting the Villa Maria Viticulture Award along the way. Nicola specialises in the classic regions of Bordeaux and is a fluent French speaker.

“Wine is earth’s answer to the sun.” Margaret Fuller

Day 1 – Monday, 7th NovemberWe arrive in Bordeaux in time for lunch at Château Lascombes following a tasting at this 2nd Growth estate. After a free afternoon of relaxation, we continue to Château Pichon-Longueville Baron for a private dinner.Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2 – Tuesday, 8th NovemberWe enjoy tasting and private visits to two renowned Médoc producers today: Château Mouton-Rothschild and Château Lafite-Rothschild. We stop in St-Estèphe for lunch and a tasting at Château Cos d’Estournel. We dine as the guests of Château Léoville-Barton, a 2nd Growth producer, in St-Julien, tonight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 – Wednesday, 9th NovemberWe start the day with a private tasting at Château Latour - a world-renowned 1st Growth estate dating back to the 14th century. We make our way to 2nd Growth Château Pichon

Comtesse for a tasting over lunch. We end our day at Château Lynch-Bages, an outstanding producer in Pauillac.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 – Thursday, 10th November1st Growth Château Margaux plays host to our first tasting today. The first claret sold at Christie’s in 1771 came from this estate. After lunch at Château Palmer, you have some free time to explore Bordeaux. The UNESCO listed city was named as the Best European Destination in 2015.Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 5 – Friday, 11th NovemberOur final day begins with a private visit and tasting at Château Haut-Brion, a 1st Growth producer in Pessac, Graves. We enjoy lunch at Château Malartic-Lagravière, in Pessac-Léognan, before transferring to the airport for our flights home.Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

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STARS OF THE RIGHT BANKSo much more than the Left Bank’s little sister…

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Highlights

Without flights pp:Deposit pp:




£2,945Price inc. flights, 8 meals & tips

£500Sgl Supp - £630£3,095

14th - 18th NovThe Right Bank has lived in the shadow of the Left for centuries. The red wines produced here make up only 10 percent of Bordeaux sold - but they have something great going for the that the Left could never claim… they are made to drink at a young age. There’s no waiting around in a cellar for years for these bold blends. Sample a series of special reserves at small châteaux - closed to the general public – in St-Emilion and Pomerol.

Aside from the wonderful wines we enjoy, the Right Bank has plenty of points of interest to offer. Enjoy a free evening walking through the narrow streets of UNESCO World Heritage Site St-Emilion. The commune is one of the principal red wine areas of Bordeaux and is lined with rustic shops and bakeries dedicated to producing another regional speciality - macaroons.

◊ Bordeaux produces the highest concentration of fine wines in the world – take the chance to sample the best of the best

◊ Tour St-Emilion, Pomerol, Sauternes and Pessac-Léognan

◊ Visit over a dozen Bordeaux châteaux, which are usually closed to the public

◊ Enjoy private lunch and dinner invitations at top châteaux in the Right Bank, Sauternes and Pessac-Léognan

So much more than the Left Bank’s little sister...

STARS OF THE RIGHT BANK

Wine Guide

The Wines

Itinerary

23

What’s Included

FRANCE

“A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.” Louis Pasteur

Return Flights: London to Bordeaux

4 nights in 4* château and hotels





◊ Merlot is king on the right bank but Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon still have important roles to play

◊ The style and quality of St-Emilion wines varies greatly: from soft, lighter wines from sandy soil vineyards; to wines of depth, longevity and power from vineyards with clay and limestone underfoot

◊ Pomerol’s clay, gravel and iron laden terroir allows Merlot to express itself in sublime, seductive and exotic ways

Steven Spurrier is the founder of the Academie du Vin in Paris and also founded the Christie’s Wine Course. He works as a Consultant Editor for Decanter and has written several authoritative books on wine. He has one of the most respected palates in the trade and can open even the most prestigious of doors.

Day 1 – Monday, 14th NovemberWe arrive in Bordeaux in time for lunch at Château Teyssier in St-Emilion. We dine at Château Angélus tonight, one of only four properties in St-Emilion to receive the Premier Grand Cru Classé (A) accolade.Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2 – Tuesday, 15th NovemberWe begin with a private visit to Château La Conseillante in Pomerol. We continue to Château Petit-Village and enjoy lunch and a tasting at the estate. After lunch we travel to Château Cheval Blanc, a legendary Premier Grand Cru Classé estate. Enjoy a free evening in the UNESCO World Heritage site of St-Emilion. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3 – Wednesday, 16th NovemberWe start the day with a private tasting at Château Canon which is owned by the Wertheimer family. We make our way to Château Figeac for a tasting over lunch before

visiting Château Troplong Mondot. We dine as private guests of Château Canon la Gaffelière.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 – Thursday, 17th NovemberChâteau de Fargues - which has been owned by the Lur-Saluces family since 1472 - plays host to our first tasting today. After lunch at Château Doisy-Védrines, we visit Château d’Yquem. The estate produces what is often described as the world’s greatest sweet wine. We enjoy a final dinner at Château Smith Haut Lafitte tonight.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 – Friday, 18th NovemberOur final day begins with a private visit and tasting at Château de Fieuzal – its origins stretch back as far as the first stirrings of winemaking in Bordeaux’s Graves region. We enjoy lunch at renowned Domaine de Chevalier, in Graves, before transferring to the airport for our flights home.Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

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BURGUNDY CELEBRATIONSip some of the world’s most prestigious wines…

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Without trains pp:

Highlights

Deposit pp:




£2,645£300

Price inc. train, 4 meals & tips

Sgl Supp - £400£2795

19th - 23rd NovBurgundy produces some of the most celebrated Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines in the world. Across its five sub-regions, 100 different appellations, a range of individual vineyards and more than 3,000 lone producers – Burgundy makes up to 15 million cases of wine every year. Join us as we sample the best of the best; and discover that when it comes to a good bottle of Burgundy, no price is too high… at the famous Hospices de Beaune charity wine auction.

This beautiful wine region covers much of the Eastern side of France, from Chablis in the north, to Beaujolais in the south. We stay in Beaune for the majority of our tour. The beautiful town is a maze of cobbled medieval streets - lined with wonderful wine shops, tempting delicatessens and interesting museums. Enjoy plenty of spare time to explore freely through the charming area.

◊ Burgundy is considered to produce some of the finest wines in the world – sample some divine Pinot Noir and exceptional Chardonnay

◊ Travel alongside renowned guide Andrew Jefford.

◊ Stay in sublime 5* accommodation and dine at the Michelin-starred restaurant ‘Les Terrasses de Lyon’

◊ Attend the world famous Hospices de Beaune charity wine auction - held just once a year and running since 1851

Sip some of the world’s most prestigious wines…

BURGUNDY CELEBRATION

Wine Guide

The Wines

Itinerary

27

What’s Included

FRANCE

Return Train: London to Lyon; Beaune to London

4 nights in 5* hotels in Lyon and Beaune





◊ Burgundy is home to the purest expressions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

◊ Burgundy grows Pinot Noir like nowhere else on Earth. Ethereal, elegant and magisterial, it’s joy in a glass: red fruits, cherry, mushrooms and spice

◊ The white Chardonnay grape is also allowed to express itself in a myriad of styles: from steely, minerally Chablis to soft, buttery Meursault and everything else in between

Andrew Jefford is one of the UK’s most respected wine writers. He is the author of the multi-award winning book, ‘The New France’ and is a regular columnist for various wine magazines. He was named ‘International Wine Feature Writer of the Year’ at the Louis Roederer Awards in 2011.

“There are many ways to the recognition of truth, and Burgundy is one of them.” Isak Dinesen

Day 1 – Saturday, 19th NovemberWe arrive in Lyon. We enjoy a wonderful first dinner at the impressive Michelin-starred restaurant ‘Les Terrasses de Lyon’. tonight.Meals: Dinner

Day 2 – Sunday, 20th NovemberWe begin at Châtaeu Thivin, a medium sized domaine producing among the best Côte de Brouilly. Enjoy some free time in Beaune, a beautiful and historic town. This afternoon, we attend the famous Hospices de Beaune charity wine auction which is in Les Halles. The wines are sold in 288 litre ‘tonneaux’ to international private buyers and négociants. Tonight, guide Andrew Jefford will host a black tie dinner at the Hospices – a wining and dining extravaganza - spread over four large rooms.Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3 – Monday, 21st NovemberWe visit Domaine Senard where the wines are fermented in open wooden cuves and steel vats.

We taste their wines over lunch at the estate. We continue to Domaine des Croix, where they produce wine from Savigny, Pommard and five different Beaune Premier Cru appellations. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 4 – Tuesday, 22nd NovemberAfter a morning tasting, you have some free time to explore Beaune. This afternoon we visit Domaine Alex Gambal. The American producer follows a philosophy of respecting the character of each appellation and vintage. We dine at Drouhin tonight. Founded in 1756, this famed house has built a reputation for wines that are among the very best of the modern style of red and white Burgundies.Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5 – Wednesday, 23rd NovemberWe visit Maison Faiveley and taste a range of their wines at the cellar in Nuits St Georges. We transfer to the airport for our flights home.Meals: Breakfast

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February

March

June

April

May

NEW

NEW

NEW


3 - 5 ✓ South Downs Vineyard Walk Caron Fanshawe U.K.

6 - 11 ✓ Sancerre and Chablis Walk Ellen Lewis France

13 - 18 ✓ Burgundy Walk Paul Attwood-Philippe France

20 - 25 ✓ Rioja & Ribera Rachel Ritchie Spain

8 - 14 ✓ Slovenia & Fruili Gabor Bánfalvi Italy & Slovenia

9 - 13 ✓ Tuscany Lys Hall Italy

9 - 16 ✓ Portugal - North to South Charles Metcalfe Portugal

16 - 22 ✓ Priorat & Montsant Walk Rachel Ritchie Spain

28 - 30 ✓ May Bank Holiday Champagne Conal Gregory MW France

29 - 4 Jun ✓ Alsace, Mosel & Champagne Matthew Boucher France

4 - 8 ✓ Malta Angela Muir MW Malta

4 - 9 ✓ Gourmet Amalfi Leonie Loudon Italy

14 - 16 ✓ Introduction to Champagne Ellen Lewis France

18 - 22 ✓ Biodynamic Burgundy Steven Spurrier France

18 - 23 ✓ Douro Vineyard Walk Ronald Weustink Portugal

18 - 23 ✓ Classic Bordeaux Conal Gregory MW France

18 - 23 ✓ Languedoc Derek Smedley MW France

25 - 30 ✓ Provence Monica Murphy France

30 - 2 May ✓ Early May Bank Holiday Matthew Boucher France

p. 10

p. 14

5 - 7 ✓ Spring Champagne Ellen Lewis France

7 - 11 ✓ ✓ Ultimate Champagne Andrew Jefford France

14 - 18 ✓ First Growth Bordeaux Stephen Brook France

14 - 27 ✓ Chile, Argentina & Uruguay Derek Smedley MW Chile, Argentina & Uruguay

25 - 7 Mar ✓ South Australia & Victoria Sarah Ahmed Australia

26 - 4 Mar ✓ South Africa Nicola Arcedeckne-Butler MW South Africa

Take a look at the year ahead in wine tours

2016 CALENDAR

29

Original Champagne Wine Etc. Reserve

July

December

September

November

NEW

October

NEW

NEW

3 - 5 ✓ Pre-Christmas Champagne Conal Gregory MW France

29 - 2 Jan 2017 ✓ New Year in Barcelona Rachel Ritchie Spain

29 - 2 Jan 2017 ✓ New Year Naples Leonie Loudon Italy

p. 18

p. 22

p. 26

3 - 5 ✓ Introduction to Champagne Ellen Lewis France

7 - 11 ✓ Stars of the Left Bank Nicola Arcedeckne-Butler MW France

14 - 18 ✓ Madeira Charles Metcalfe Portugal

14 - 18 ✓ Stars of the Right Bank Steven Spurrier France

14 - 19 ✓ Rhône North to South Louise Hurren France

19 - 23 ✓ Burgundy Celebration Andrew Jefford France

18 - 23 ✓ Trentino & Alto Adige Tom Bruce-Gardyne Italy

26 - 30 ✓ Verona Wine & Opera Lys Hall Italy

28 - 31 ✓ Puccini Festival: Wine & Opera Leonie Loudon Italy

Reserve Collection tours are only in this brochure. Contact us on 01730 263111 for a copy of the other brochures.

NEW

3 - 8 ✓ Gourmet Amalfi Leonie Loudon Italy

3 - 9 ✓ Rioja Walk Ronald Weustink Spain

7 -15 ✓ Pacific Northwest Stephen Brook USA

8 - 10 ✓ Early Autumn Champagne Matthew Boucher France

9 - 15 ✓ Veneto & Piemonte Tom Bruce-Gardyne Italy

9 - 17 ✓ Sicily Monica Murphy Italy

10 - 14 ✓ Tuscany Lys Hall Italy

17 - 22 ✓ Languedoc Derek Smedley MW France

17 - 22 ✓ Umbria Jane Hunt MW Italy

22 - 24 ✓ Late Autumn Champagne France

24 - 29 ✓ Classic Bordeaux Conal Gregory MW France

25 - 30 ✓ Gourmet Piemonte Giovanni de Rose Italy

11 - 17 ✓ Amalfi, Capri & Ischia Walk Marianna Polverino Italy

19 - 23 ✓ Gourmet Whisky Tour Tom Bruce-Gardyne Scotland

19 - 24 ✓ Rioja & Ribera Conal Gregory MW Spain

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ORIGINAL

CHAMPAGNE


These are the tours we started with, back in 1986… short breaks to our favourite place in the world, Champagne!

“Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.”Benjamin Franklin

On these enjoyable, informative weekends, we take you to our personally recommended selection of Champagne Houses. Visit famous names that forged Champagne’s reputation as well as our choice of the smaller houses and growers. We want to show you as broad a spectrum of Champagne as possible – an expert Wine Guide will accompany you on tour and compare well known brands, to show you the various styles of Champagne and the unique flavours that come from individual villages. Stay in modern 4* city centre hotels in Reims - the entire Champagne region has UNESCO World Heritage Site status - there are plenty of monuments, museums, galleries, shops, bistros and gourmet restaurants to keep you entertained during your free time!

Classic

You shouldn’t be allowed to see the New Year in without a glass in your hand… and that glass should be filled with the best bubbles available. Our New Year tours are all about having a good time! We include several wine visits with at least one meal at a wine-estate - but there is plenty of free time to explore the town or city we are staying in. Enjoy a tour of true quality - comfortable surroundings, good food, and an emphasis on great wine. We choose 4* and 5* hotels, and track down the venue that can deliver the best party!

New Year

Discover the glories of New World wine: Australia, South Africa, the Pacific North-West, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. It may seem like a long way to go for wine - but once you sample what’s on offer, it’ll all seem worth it. These are regions where wine makers forge their own traditions and experiment with new methods. The result? Surprising wines that rival anything the old-world has to offer. The wine makers appreciate the miles we’ve come and take the time to explain their work, present their wines and stop to share a glass.

New World

Explore the wine and broader culture of many ‘Old World’ destinations. Our Classic tours are designed to illuminate the differences and similarities in styles, varieties and wine making. We taste some of the finest wines available during our visits to parts of Europe you may not have had the chance to escape to before. Explore historically rich towns and cities - visit museums, galleries and gardens. We often arrange an optional guided tour with a local guide to give you a real insight into the towns you are staying in.

As a guest on one of our expert led Original Wine Tours you’ll enjoy VIP access to well-known estates and châteaux, as well as up and coming wineries. This is wine as it should be enjoyed – amidst beautiful surroundings, in the company of people who are passionate about growing, making (and drinking!) it. Our Original Tours fall into three categories: Classic, New World and New Year.

We offer many different wine tours - give us a call to

receive brochures for our other collections...

OUR TOUR COLLECTIONS

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WINE ETC.

Gourmet

Opera

Vineyard Walks

CRUISE

What do you get when you cross a super-yacht with delicious wine? A wonderful holiday of course.

Cruise along a relaxed meandering route - from Nice to Corsica, Tuscany to Sardinia - experiencing culture, cuisine and wine tradition. Join us aboard Le Ponant, a vessel crafted to respect the tradition of famous sailing yachts. Small ship sailing is a joy - they put their larger cruise ship cousins to shame. Under full sail, gliding over the sea, you are sure to fall under Le Ponant’s spell.

These aren’t walking holidays that pass through wine regions - these are genuine wine tours on foot. Explore the vineyards; discover differences in terroir and aspect; and learn more during our tastings. There’s just one thing to remember on tour… stop and look around you: the scenery is sure to be breathtaking.

Vineyard Walks

Opera is synonymous with cosmopolitan cities, and wine appreciation is a deeply ingrained in the culture. Spend your days exploring stunning vineyards and enjoy evenings at world-famous venues, watching passionate performances. There are no early starts and plenty of time to explore.

Opera

Let the food take centre stage. Gourmet doesn’t just mean Michelin-starred restaurants, or lavish meals in extravagant settings. Enjoy everything from hearty regional fare to nouvelle cuisine. Wine is still important of course, but our focus lies on regional wines. We visit estates that don’t just make, but “grow” their wines too.

Gourmet

Our Wine Etc. tours include everything our original tours do, with - you guessed it - something extra thrown in. Enjoy fantastic food, opera experiences, and walks through the great vineyards of Europe;

32 Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

Useful information to guide you through the booking process. Please note that bookings with Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours are accepted only in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in our full booking conditions, which can be found on our website or are available on request.

How to Book You can book now on any of the tours listed in this brochure. We are happy to provisionally reserve your places for 7 days without commitment. After this, we require a deposit to confirm your place (see below for deposit amounts).

The final balance due date is no later than 8 weeks before departure on all tours except cruises where it is due no later than 12 weeks before departure. 8 - 10 days before departure you will receive, by e-mail, the final joining instructions, outline daily tour plan and any necessary travel documentation, including flight e-tickets. Where you do not have an e-mail address this will all be sent by standard post within the UK.

Book by phone, by email or online For bookings made by telephone or email, payment can be made by card, cheque or bank transfer (payable to Arblaster & Clarke). We accept payment by Access, Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards, and Visa and Connect debit cards. There is a 2.5% charge towards the cost of the Credit Card fees but no charge for Debit Cards. You may provide us with your card details by phone or fax. We do not accept post-dated cheques, nor do we keep your card details.

Programme changesFor the vast majority of our tours, the programme will be exactly as described in the brochure. Occasionally we do make changes to the order or number of visits. This is usually due to opening hours. We always try to tell guests in advance of any changes.

Insurance All clients must have travel insurance with medical emergency assistance, personal accident and liability cover and it is the client’s responsibility to supply A&C in writing of the policy name, number and emergency phone numbers and the name and number of a family member / friend we could contact in order to assist you. We will need to know the details of your policy 4 weeks before departure at the latest.

Deposits

£100 for Champagne tours

£300 for all other tours costing up to £3000

£500 for all tours costing over £3001 (except Cruises)

£1500 for Cruises

Useful information to guide you through the booking process.

2016 ESSENTIAL BOOKING INFORMATION

33

Cancellation by you Cancellation charges payable to Arblaster & Clarke are calculated on time prior to departure as follows:

All additional travel arrangements and other extras, upgrades and tickets purchased and paid for at time of booking are 100% nonrefundable. Insurance claims must be made direct to your insurance company, but as soon as we receive written confirmation of the cancellation we will provide a cancellation invoice to enable you to make your claim.

Cancellation by us If we have to cancel your holiday we will notify you no later than 56 days before the date of departure (85 days in the case of cruises), you will have the choice of taking an alternative holiday (and paying or receiving a refund/credit in respect of any price difference) or accepting a full refund of all monies paid.

Financial protection Flight inclusive tours: we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s License issued by the CAA (ATOL No. 2543) which provides for your protection in the event of Arblaster & Clarke’s insolvency. The price of your air holiday packages includes the ATOL Protection Contribution (APC) we pay to the CAA. This charge is included in our advertised prices. When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL scheme as explained below.

Tours without flights arranged by us: The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations

1992 for Arblaster & Clarke, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for the following:

1. non-flight packages commencing in and returning to the UK;2. non-flight packages commencing and returning to a country other

than the UK; and3. flight inclusive packages that commence outside of the UK, which

are sold to customers outside of the UK.1, 2 and 3 provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled. 1 and 3 provides for repatriation. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Arblaster & Clarke.

AITO quality charter Arblaster & Clarke is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. The Association represents Britain’s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. Arblaster & Clarke abides by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter which can be viewed on www.aito.com. Visit the website to find out more about the Association or call 020 8744 9280.

What’s included ◊ Wine Guide ◊ Tour Manager (with most groups of 15+) ◊ Scheduled flights, coach or train where stated ◊ Accommodation ◊ Wine tasting ◊ Meals with wine where stated; meals are not provided on travelling

days ◊ Wine notes, tips, entrance to all vineyards in the programme

Committed to sustainable tourism We work hard to ensure our visits have a positive impact on the places we go to and acknowledge the importance of AITO’s sustainable tourism ethos, which recognises the social, economic and environmental responsibilities of tour operating.

The prices in this brochure are valid for all bookings taken from 30th September 2015. Last revised September 2015.

We are Arblaster & Clarke Ltd, registered limited company no. 2966601. Registered offices: Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours, Cedar Court, 5 College Street, Petersfield, Hampshire GU31 4AE

Cancellation charges are: Non-Cruises Cruises

85 days or more before departure loss of deposit* loss of deposit*

56 - 84 days before departure loss of deposit* -75%

41 - 55 days before departure -35% -90%





The Arblaster & Clarke office is staffed by a team of passionate and knowledgeable, well-travelled oenophiles and travel professionals...

When you call Arblaster & Clarke, you will get straight through to a ‘real’ person. Laura-Marie Taylor-Stoakes is our Customer Care Manager, and she and the team are on hand to help you organise your perfect wine tour from 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. All of our staff are happy to advise on all aspects of our tours.

Email: [email protected] Call: 01730 263111

ask our in-house experts:For further advice, information and to book,

Visit: www.winetours.co.uk

We are happy to help however we can - so give us a call...

ANY QUESTIONS? GET IN TOUCH

If you have an idea for your perfect tour, let us know. We’d love to make it a reality for you!

Over the last 30 years, we’ve arranged countless trips for private groups and companies alike. Don’t limit your imagination to just cellar visits. We can arrange multi-faceted tours that include vineyard walks, opera performances, gourmet asides - from truffle hunting to cookery courses - and historical Châteaux tours. The list goes on and on!

If you have a hankering to explore a particular region, wish to plan a trip for your group or society, or want to arrange a special celebration we would be

delighted to discuss a bespoke private tour. Every year, we organise unique tours, all over the world, tailored to groups of many shapes and sizes. From birthday Champagne weekends to ‘once in a lifetime’ tours to Australia. Group sizes can vary from 2 to 200 people! Please do get in contact to discuss your group, budgets and requirements and we will get you on your way to your dream wine tour!

Visit renowned wineries and estates, stay in the best accommodation, dine at fantastic restaurants, and travel with insightful Wine Guides and experienced Tour Managers. Enjoy the trip of a lifetime - just the way you want it to be.

Let Arblaster & Clarke organise the perfect tour... just for you

BESPOKE TOURS & PRIVATE GROUPS

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“Wine is one of the most civilised things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.” Ernest Hemingway

Wine Tours

[email protected]

01730 263111

Arblaster & Clarke, Cedar Court, 5 College Street, Petersfield GU31 4AE

a&c 2016 reserve collection brochure

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