TASTEVIN DU MONDE is run by British Master of Wine, Mini Constant, from her seventeenth-century château in south-west France, one hour inland from Biarritz and half an hour north-west of Pau.

Two-hour tutored wine tastings are offered for those living or staying locally. These are held in small groups in the very attractive dining room.

OUR SPECIALITY is tailor-made breaks, based around tutored wine tastings, for either corporate or private groups. You can enjoy learning about wine in a relaxed yet informative way at a level that suits you. Requests for specific tastings such as the villages of Champagne can be arranged with pleasure.

A minimum of 6 people can come for any length of time, whether during the week or at the week-end. There is a choice of accomodation; an attractive and comfortable Relais de Campagne, Domaine de Bassibé or Les Prés d’Eugénie, the world-class hotel run by Michel Guérard, one of France’s finest chefs.

Meals are in various local restaurants, ranging from some of France’s finest cuisine to simple but delicious farmhouse cooking, using only home-grown produce.

You can choose as many wine tastings and other activities as you wish. These include a visit to an excellent local vineyard or a private visit to an historic château. You may also choose to play golf or relax with luxurious thermal spa treatments.

If you prefer to organise your holiday yourself please feel free to contact me for ideas and I can be available for tastings ot vineyard visits when you wish Whichever option you choose, don’t hesitate to contact me in France for any clarification.

Photographs © Mini Constant and Angus Palmer, Gascony Photographie 2003.

Web design Tess Monteith: tess@essendy.freeserve.co.uk