Just returned from the most amazing river barge trip thru Burgundy in France. I highly recommend this trip for anyone who is a fan of French Burgundies (reds and whites), or who is interested in comparing American Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to their French counterparts, or who just loves France.

The trip was operated by Orient-Express. They own a company with several river barges in France. The trip we took was focused on tasting all the Grand Cru wines of Burgundy. It was the first time they organized this cruise. They hope to run it once a year. It took 2+ years for them to set it up and make all the arrangements and appointments. The boat, the service, the food, and the wines were outstanding.

It was expensive, but well worth it for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The boat only has six staterooms, so if this interests you, I suggest you contact Orient-Express soon to book the trip for next year. (They are already quoting a price 25% higher than the price we paid for this year).

The trip was hosted by an executive from Domaine Joseph Drouhin who guided us part of the week and “educated” us on the wines of Burgundy. We visited four wineries: Domaine Joseph Drouhin, Domaine Drouhin-Laroze, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, and Domaine Ponsot. Had visits and wine cellar tastings with the principals at all four wineries. Had dinner with each of them on different nights when their wines were served.

Here is a partial list of the wines we drank (there were other wines at lunches and cellar tastings not listed here). With the exception of one dessert wine and one 1er Cru, these were all Grand Crus. It is an incredible list:
Day 1 (dinner)
Chevalier-Montrachet 2003 – Domaine Latour
Ruchottes-Chambertin 2000 – Domaine Bonnefond
Mazovères-Chambertin 2002 – Domaine Camus
Mazis-Chambertin 2004 – Hospices de Beaune
La Grande Rue 1991 – Domaine Lamarche
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet 2000 – Domaine Latour
Grands-Echezeaux 2000 – Domaine Joseph Drouhin
Day 2 (dinner)
Chablis-Les Clos 2002 – Domaine Joseph Drouhin
Corton Charlemagne 2003 – Domaine Joseph Drouhin
Corton Bressandes 2005 - Domaine Joseph Drouhin
Charmes Chambertin 2000 - Domaine Joseph Drouhin
Clos de Vougeot 2003 - Domaine Joseph Drouhin
Grands-Echezeaux 1990 – Domaine Joseph Drouhin
Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche 1992 – Domaine Joseph Drouhin
Day 3 (dinner in wine cellar at Domaine Drouhin-Laroze)
Chapelle-Chambertin 2003 - Domaine Drouhin-Laroze
Chapelle-Chambertin 2004 - Domaine Drouhin-Laroze
Chambertin Clos de Bèze 1996 - Domaine Drouhin-Laroze
Latricières-Chambertin 2002 - Domaine Drouhin-Laroze
Bonnes Mares 2001 - Domaine Drouhin-Laroze
Fine de Bourgogne
Day 4 (dinner)
Echezeaux 2000 – Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
Richebourg 1996 - Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
Romanée Saint Vivant 1999 - Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
La Tâche 1990 - Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
Romanée–Conti 1971 - Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
Day 5 (dinner)
1er Cru Clos des Monts Luisants 1990 – Domaine Laurent Ponsot
Griotte-Chambertin 1998 - Domaine Laurent Ponsot
Chambertin 1999 - Domaine Laurent Ponsot
Clos Saint Denis Cuvée Vielles Vignes 2002 - Domaine Laurent Ponsot
Clos de le Roche Cuvée Vielles Vignes 2003 - Domaine Laurent Ponsot
Day 6 (dinner)
Bâtard-Montrachet 2006 – Domaine Leflaive
Clos de Tart 1998 – Domaine Clos de Tart
Clos des Lambrays 1995 – Domaine Clos des Lambrays
La Romanée 1998 – Domaine Bouchard
Musigny 1992 – Domaine Moire Hudelot
Bienvenues Bâtard Montrachet 2006 – Domaine Leflaive
Romanée Saint Vivant 1989 – Domaine Joseph Drouhin
If anyone wants more details or has questions, we can try to email or I can direct you to my blog.

Sounds great. I assume I can find the OrientExpress on the web?

Here is the URL:

Orient-Express River Cruises

Thanks, newtuxedo.