Spring is coming Spring seems to be very early in 2019 here in France. I say “seems” because we are technically still in winter, when I am writing this. I would not be surprised if some more frost and snow will come later, before the season really changes. |
|
|
Nightfrost The jonguilles in my garden are already blooming. I hope frost will not kill these beautiful signs of spring. Like two years ago in the vineyards, especially in Burgundy, I expect to see some stoves and fires again, fighting the night frost the coming weeks. A beautiful view but very expensive and also polluting. |
|
|
Grand Cru tours In 2018 we did quite some "more day" luxury tours in Alsace, Burgundy and Tuscany. On these kind of tours I can really present the JoliSoleil "selection of regions” and what they have to offer. Apart from the landscapes and villages of course we visit the local wineries and try their wines. But we also meet some chefs and try the local “cuisine”. The wonderful (often Michelin starred) restaurants in our tour selections are really worth a visit and not only for dinner but also for a (light) lunch. So that is what we do. For 2019 and 2020 I decided to present these kinds of tours also in a slightly different way. For 8 to 16 people per tour I now also organize 4 night / 3 day grand cru tours. I propose the guests a small selection of hotels. Apart from the costs for these hotels and the breakfasts, the price for the grand cru tours is all included. So everything: the tastings at top wineries, lunches and dinners at the best restaurants, all driving and your tourguide are paid for. Transport is by minibus with a dedicated driver. At the end, as always, JoliSoleil can be of service in shipping goods and wines bought on the trip. |
|
|
On a grand cru tour you will enjoy: Exclusive touring: 4 nights, 3 tour days A minimum of 4 couples or 8 people, a maximum of 8 couples or 16 people Air conditioned mini-bus with driver >=7 tastings, more than 60 wines, compare many grand cru's or docg's 3 lunches, 3 gourmet dinners (one in a Michelin * restaurant) You will meet many wine makers and chefs personally Stay in one of three of our preselected hotels (not included) in: - Colmar or Strasbourg in Alsace
- Beaune or Dijon in Burgundy
- Siena in Tuscany
Your tour host : drs. J. Pieter Smits Tour rate per person for Alsace is: Euro 995,,=, |
|
|
More information You will find more information on the Alsace grand cru tours here As people want to plan there more day vacations and often overseas trips long time ahead, I also give you the dates for the 2020 Grand Cru tours! |
|
|
Our “Bed and Breakfast” in the Vosges Mountains in La Forge Living in a 6 bedroom / 3 bathroom house is a bit much for just two people. Originally I bought the farm to rent it out to bigger families and groups for their vacations. In those early years we received biker groups, cyclists, Christian discussion groups, Triathlon contenders and of course lots of family’s. Also artists like painters, writers and musicians stayed at the farm. |
|
|
From our guest book Part of the CD – “Mystery repeats” was recorded here in La Forge, some 11 years ago, by musicians "Pete Philly and Perquisite". Back then the boys did not have a car available, so I collected them at the train station of Epinal. I remember that sometimes the guys would go on working all night when they had found a tune or theme. How time flies! When I hear the tune below, it always make me smile. The whole song is here, but I copied the YouTube clip below because the picture behind the guys is a big poster covering a wall in one of our bedrooms. Cool, this song was born La Forge in my living room. |
|
|
As I live in La Forge myself now and need space for my old vinyl record collection and two vintage jukeboxes, I “only” have two rooms available for rental these days. |
|
|
BnB - La Forge The rooms for rent have their own toilet and bathroom. In this time of WiFi etc. Netflix and Spotify is everywhere and Apple TV makes a lot of TV channels available. |
|
|
Breakfast and wine tasting Fresh eggs, cheeses and French bread come from the neighboring village each morning, so a nice French breakfast will be offered to the guests. Of course a wine tasting, for example the night before, is also possible. If you tell me what kind of wines you would like to try and compare beforehand, we can focus on those wines. Fun ! |
|
|
JS-USA Wine club The wines available in our shop in 2019 are up to date. In most cases I just changed the available years and adjusted the prices. Later in 2019 we might add some more wines and or wineries. |
|
|
Burgundy New in 2019 are the Burgundy wines from Philippe LeClerc. We especially added these wines as a service to our Burgundy tour clients. The basic sales prices (as always without TVA tax, when the wines are shipped to the USA and not consumed within France) for these wines are exactly the same as what you would pay in Gevrey Chambertin, so offering them to our club members is really a service. We do not earn anything on these wines. I also want to offer quality wines like this in my shop though. It is part of my marketing strategy. |
|
|
Season 2019 The season is just starting. What will the year 2019 bring? How will the weather develop? Anyway, I wish everybody a lot of sunshine and health the coming months! Of course I hope to meet you (again) in 2019 for a tasting or a tour or maybe in 2020 on one of the Grand Cru / Docg tours?! In the mean time have a look in our wine shop. Remember you go break even on a shipment of +/- 18 bottles or more. Cheers !!! Pieter Smits |
|
|
|
|
