Get a wine-lover’s view of the Loire Valley, world-famous for its beautiful castles. Visit vineyards during the fall harvest, taste the sumptuous wines of Chinon and Vouvray, tour majestic castles, stay in an historic chateau, and take in the lush scenery from a boat cruise on the Loire River.

October 2-10, 2008

Tour group is limited to 20, so register early!

For more information, contact:

Deborah Baldini
University of
Missouri-St. Louis
(314) 516-5911
baldinid@umsl.edu

TOUR DATES: October 2-10, 2008

We had such positive feedback from our 2007 Wine-Lovers' tour of Barcelona that the University of Missouri-St. Louis and The Wine Merchant, Ltd., are partnering again in 2008. This time we're heading to the Loire Valley. Join John Nash of The Wine Merchant, Ltd., and Deborah Baldini of the University of Missouri-St. Louis in France for a magical sampling of castles, wines (including vineyards selected by importer Bobby Kacher from Robert Kacher Selections), and goat cheese in the French countryside.

"Robert Kacher is the hottest importer in the United States for the simple reason that he continues to beat his competition on the playing field--the vineyards and cellars of France. No one spends more time in winemakers' caves arguing for lower yields or less fining and filtration. His name on a bottle of wine is as close to an endorsement of quality as one is likely to find in the complicated world of wine." --Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Tour Includes:

• Pre-trip wine-tasting and information
• 3 nights in Paris at the Hotel St. James Albany, a four-star hotel located across the street from Les Tuileries Gardens and the Louvre Museum
• Welcome dinner in Paris
• 4 nights at the four-star Domaine de Beauvois in Loire, which dates from the 15th and 17th centuries and is set in a beautiful 350-acre wooded estate
• 2 dinners in Loire
• 3 wine tastings in Loire
• Boat cruise on the Loire River
• Tours of Chenonceau Castle, Azay-le-Rideau Castle, and the Gardens of Villandry
• Breakfast daily

Optional:

• A day trip to Champagne