Provence Wine Tour - from Nice

Thank you, Anne, for the super review of your experience. You obviously had a great time on your tour with Peter, and we really appreciate your recommendation for both novices and connoisseurs alike.

Thank you for taking the time to post your review. Naturally, we were very disappointed that you had anything other than a 5-star experience. Your guide on the day was a very experienced wine professional, but may have not given you all of the attention you deserved, for which we certainly apologize, and he has received further training on that aspect of guiding our tours. As wine lovers ourselves, we however find it hard to understand your comments about the wine and the vineyards themselves. They produce award-winning wines, with very high ratings. Perhaps you find them cheap, because you are used to paying so much for wine where you come from? Most of our guests are more than delighted by the quality (and value) of the wines, and especially of course the rosé that Provence is traditionally famous for, and which is generally considered as the gold standard for rosé everywhere in the world. In vino veritas.....merci.

We can't ask for more than that! Merci, and do come again next time you are in the region, and we'll show you yet more fascinating properties. Bon voyage.

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to write your review of your experience. Firstly, we are sorry that your experience was anything other than excellent, the standard that we strive to achieve. Naturally, we are very pleased that you recognised the qualities of Helene as your guide – being someone who is by nature warm, welcoming and very friendly. Helene is qualified sommelier, with a passion for the wines of Provence, and we know that we can always count on her to give of her best on every tour that she leads. On the specific points that you raise: 1. The van that you were driven is our back-up vehicle, and was only put into service due to a technical problem with one of our other vehicles. As you rightly say, it does have A/C, but it’s not the system is not very powerfull. This was of course exacerbated by the heat wave conditions that you rightly mention – over which we naturally have zero control. We are very sorry that you didn’t get to be in one of our “regular” fully A/C vehicles, as this seems to have been the single biggest problem on your day out with us. In the event – it was either use this vehicle, or be faced with having to postpone/cancel your tour – and perhaps we took the wrong option? Only you can judge that. 2. With regard to the cold platter lunch, this is provided and served by Chateau Saint Martin, to whom you paid the price of 27€. In the description of the tour, we say in the section “Not Included” [in the price of the tour] that “Lunch is available at one of the vineyards, or in a local medieval Provencal village - budget from 25€ per person.” 3. In previous seasons, the vast majority of our guests who have had the cold platter/buffet lunch at Saint Martin have enjoyed it. This is especially so, given that the fixed price also includes plenty of wine to accompany your lunch (your choice of the same Cru Classé wines that you have enjoyed during the tasting), desert and coffee. Just to clarify the point in respect of the soup - it is a Gazpacho, a summer soup that is meant to be served cold. We will be raising the point that you make about the choice, variety and value-for-money with the owner of the vineyard, in order to help them to improve this offering. Naturally, we want our guests to feel fully satisfied with their lunch. If you come back to the Riviera again sometime, please do get in contact with us directly via our website and we’ll be delighted to suggest some other vineyards that you might like to visit, and also do everything in our power to ensure that you have the type of experience that is befitting a tour by Azur Wine Tours. A bientôt!

So glad you loved Caro - she's a star. We note your comment about lunch. This is always a tricky area, because some people want it slow and relaxed, others want to "get one with the day" ! Obviously, it is easier to be adaptable according to when you are on a private tour - less so on a Small Group Tour, where the timetable is published in advance, and it is important t conclude on time. Either way, we try to make sure that you have at least an hour/1hr15 for lunch. We're looking at of promoting a "Lazy Days" wine tour - taking more time over everything, including lunch. BUT the quid pro quo is that we will only get to visit two vineyards in one day (rather than 3 on a classic Full Day Tour) - although spending more time hanging out in each...

Three words that we love to hear - "exceeded our expectations". Thank you for taking the time to send your review - come again one day! Merci.

Thank you, Annabelle, for your review and your kind words. It is always a pleasure to hear when people have a had a great time on one of our tours. I am sure that Peter worked hard to make your experience unforgettable and for you to give us 10/10, we can't do better than that! Merci.

Thank you Daniel....yours was the last tour before Covid! Hope that you and your lovely family are all well.