FrenchDuck has its origins in a small specialist wine company ALLEZ VINS!. which was established in Birstwith, North Yorkshire focussing on lesser-known French Regional Wines. We closed the business in 2005, but have retained our interest in France, Wine, Food and Travel through a network of websites:
FrenchVineyard.co.uk – with our list of vineyards in France offering holiday accommodation – self-catering gites in converted vineyard cottages, Bed and Breakfast (often in the Chateau) and even some hotels/guesthouses on the estate! – all offering great opportunities to meet French Winemakers and ge get to know their wines and how they are produced- and in the heart of the French countryside.Also French Wine Villages
FrenchDuck.com and its sister website (FrenchDuck.co.uk) designed to help visitors to France explore and enjoy France, French wine and food and all that it has to offer. Based on many years of exploring France as both a tourist and wine importer we try to offer a unique perspective and useful ideas and information on this beautiful and diverse country.
Coming up: ….. what’s on in France
AND…….
- your visit to France, where to go?
- travel to and within France
- France – Regions and Départements
- wine and food in France, etc.
- calendar of events in France and Wine Festivals in France
- holiday accommodation in France
- Wine Villages in France
- stay on a vineyard in France with FrenchVineyard.co.uk
- French travel money
- Fuel Prices in France
Map of New French Regions from 2016:
FrenchDuck came into being after our wine importing business closed. We had a focus on the lesser-known wines of France, which led us to exploring area of France beyond the usual tourist destinations. We met many wonderful people, winemakes, hoteliers etc who were happy to share their knowledge and experience and helped us to discover more of the real France (la France profonde) than we would have been able to without them.
Our initial focus (1989) was Southwest France at a time when the wines of Cahors, Bergerac, Gaillac and others were little known or understood. Later forays led us to discover the joys of Alsace, Beaujolais, Provence and the Loire and Rhône Valleys. The Languedoc proved to be a rich and exciting region to explore, especially the Corbières and Minervois wine areas. Even after nearly 30 years of visits the country still surprises and delights.
The wine scene has improved immensely – with many independent winemakers making some stunning wines and even some co-operative wine cellars producing wines of quality. No longer is the south of France renown for cheap, bulk wines and the same is tru elsewhere, with organic wines (vins bio) now being widely available.