3 UNUSUAL WINE EXPERIENCES

Do you enjoy wine, outings with friends, and activities that are off the beaten path?

Here are 3 wine-related experiences you should try urgently. You won’t be disappointed…

1. TRY YOUR HAND AT WINEMAKING Have you always dreamed of creating your own wine? Well, it’s possible! Head to the Caves du Louvre for a two-hour "Winemaking" workshop. Start by tasting the grape juices that will serve as the base for your blend. Once you’ve selected them, it’s time to grab the flasks and pipettes and let your creativity flow. When your concoction is ready, you can proceed to bottling it… and you even get to design your own label! And of course, you take your creation home with you. Perfect for showing off to friends at a party (“Tonight I’m offering a bottle from my vineyard!”).

Where? Les Caves du Louvre, 52 Rue de l’Arbre Sec, 75001 Paris

Cost? Full price: €75 / Student rate: €70

2. STEP INTO A WINEMAKER’S SHOES You might be familiar with the concept of an Escape Room, a game that originated in Asia and has quickly spread across Europe. The idea is simple: 4 to 6 players are locked in a room and must solve puzzles to escape. But time is ticking, and they only have one hour to crack the code. Luckily, the various clues scattered around the room can help them succeed.

Since 2015, Casse-tête Bordelais has offered the Escape Room "In Vino Veritas," a Bordeaux wine-themed adventure where you’re given a secret mission. It’s your chance to step into the shoes of a winemaker for an hour. Wine crate, apron, spittoon, glass, bottles… everything you need is there! But don’t lose sight of your main goal: getting out of the room. Alongside engaging your palate, you’ll also have to use your brainpower!

Where? Casse-tête Bordelais, 23 Rue de Ruat, 33000 Bordeaux

Cost? €18 to €27

3. SOAK IN THE BEAUJOLAIS! After Paris and Bordeaux, we take you to Japan for a dive into… Beaujolais! Japanese enthusiasts of Beaujolais Nouveau indulge in a unique experience every third Thursday of November (the arrival date of the vintage): they not only drink the wine but also bathe in it!

To participate in this unusual ritual, you need to head to the Hakone hot springs in Kanazawa, a few dozen kilometers from Tokyo. Admittedly, it’s not just around the corner. But if you’re planning a trip to Japan, it might be worth the detour. Otherwise, you can also try a wine therapy session at a spa… in France this time!

Where? Hakone, 250-0408 Kanagawa, Japan