The Tour de France 2021 is currently on and travels through a number of different French regions. To complement it, we asked French wine and spirits importers which drinks they recommend that come from one of the regions crossed in the Tour de France 2021. Find their answers below.
Daniel Airoldi from Airoldi Fine Wines shares his wine recommendation for the Tour de France 2021
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Which wine do you recommend from one of the regions crossed by the Tour de France 2021 and why?
As I am from the region, I recommend a St-Emilion Grand Cru, the Château La Fleur Penin 2018 which is a delicious wine and the cyclists will pass right by it!
What would you serve with this wine?
What else but a good leg of duck confit with small Sarladaise potatoes!
Emmanuel Condé shares his drinks recommendations for the Tour de France 2021.
Which spirit or liqueur do you recommend from one of the regions crossed by the Tour de France 2021 and why?
The Apéritifs Dolin de Savoie, made in Chambéry, just West of Tignes, are perfect for the rest day scheduled for 5 July!
They are original, to be drunk chilled on ice or with soda. These aperitifs are perfect for an afternoon with friends!
For the stage around Muret, in the South-West, don’t miss the incredible Armagnac Darroze! The Grands Assemblages in particular are perfect discoveries for those who do not yet know Armagnac. For connoisseurs, the 20, 30 and even 60 year olds are rare gems, perfect for long evenings in front of “Le Tour”! Maybe even with a square of Valrhona dark chocolate.
Margot from Le Plonque shares her wine recommendations inspired by the Tour de France 2021
If the Tour de France were a tour of vineyards with the Plonque it would be:
Champagne: Remy Massin Brut Rosé
A dry and fruity Champagne, perfect for an apéro or a dessert or simply to celebrate a happy event!
Loire : Domaine de Clayou Cabernet Franc
A red which is easy to drink and which can be can be enjoyed slightly chilled in hot weather. It goes so well with a cheese board.
Bourgogne: Domaine Frédéric Magnien Coeur de Pierre
A qualitative and delicious Chardonnay, we love its vanilla and butter notes that remind us of fresh croissants from the bakery.
Vallée du Rhône: Terre de Sy 2015 
A 100% Syrah with aromas of red fruit and chocolate, long on the palate and reminiscent of the South.
Languedoc: Domaine de St Benezet Viognier Sensation
A rich white with intense fruit and floral aromas reminiscent of the south of France.
Bordeaux: Château Sansonnet 2014
As the Tour de France passes through Saint Emilion, we had to recommend this wine. A great vintage, a jewel, a delight from the Bordeaux region.
Mikael Gillard shares his drinks recommendations for the Tour de France 2021.
A little complex Pastis for the Tour de France…
Already in Roman times, people drank aniseed wine mixed with plants. At the end of the 19th century, absinthe, a popular aniseed drink, became the number one drink in France. But the First World War sounded the death knell for this emblematic aperitif, and banned any alcohol over 16 degrees.
However, the habit of aniseed-flavoured drinks, mixed with water, persisted. In 1920, the French government authorised aniseed-flavoured drinks up to 30 degrees of alcohol. The first pastis officially appeared in 1932 and it was during this post-war period, with the arrival of paid holidays, that this aniseed-flavoured drink took on the connotation of “holiday drinks” and became the favourite aperitif of the French.
Annie Gasparre from Single Vineyards shares her wine recommendation for the Tour de France.
Which wine do you recommend from one of the regions the Tour de France 2021 goes through and why?
The rosé bio La Résistance 2019 is a beautiful light pink, with delicate aromas of soft summer fruits. Full flavoured, refreshing on the palate with a lingering finish of ripe raspberries. Delicious as an aperitif. Perfect accompaniment to starters, salads and barbecues.
What would you serve with this wine?
Asparagus, prosciutto and creamy brie.
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What’s your favourite stage of the Tour de France? Which drink would you choose?
If you like French wine, you might like these articles:
International Rosé Day 2021: 11 things you may not know about rosé
#DrinkChenin Day 2021: all about chenin and which to drink
International Chardonnay Day 2021: the grape, the wines and which ones to drink
International Cabernet Franc Day is today!
It’s International Cabernet Sauvignon Day today!
Marselan: A French grape you’re more likely to find in China than in France
If you prefer spirits and liqueurs:
World Gin Day: it’s more French than you might think
Cognac Day 2021: which cognacs to drink?
Chartreuse Day – only 2 monks know the recipe!
