Rhône Trip's Art of Wine Tourism: A Blend of Passion and Precision
We had another captivating chat with Raphaëlle, a true enthusiast of wine tourism and travel. In this excerpt, get a behind-the-scenes look at tastings with a wine tourism guide who believes sharing goes hand-in-hand with good humor. Join her for great moments in beautiful places, ensuring a truly unique experience.
- Raphaëlle, tell us about yourself!
Hi, I’m Raphaëlle! I’m 31 years old and a wine tourism guide for Rhône Trip. I’ve been working in the wine industry for five years now, gaining diverse experiences. This includes working at a vineyard in Bali (Indonesia), as a wine merchant and cellar manager, as a sommelier on a cruise ship, and now as a wine tourism specialist
- What excites you most about the world of wine?
I’ve had the chance to live abroad for long periods, and what I missed most was French wine and French gastronomy! It’s not chauvinism, but I truly believe we have an amazing heritage, and I love sharing it. For me, wine is synonymous with pleasure, sharing, and good times. A bottle will have a special flavor if it highlights a wonderful estate, or if it’s opened during a beautiful moment with loved ones. I love introducing people to different estates and appellations, surprising and awakening their palates with original food and wine pairings and vintages that will leave a special memory.
- What’s your personal approach, and how does it show in your work?
My approach is to share a passion, make wine accessible, and break its image as a difficult-to-access, somewhat elitist product. - Which grape variety would match your personality, and why?
Syrah, because I’m a big fan of the Rhône Valley, its birthplace (and I grew up near Lyon myself). But it’s also a grape that travels well and adapts to other terroirs (like Australia, which resonates with my own story as I lived there for a year). It’s a bold, aromatic, and spicy grape, which I think suits me well, haha!
- A lighthearted anecdote about a tasting experience?
I always try to bring a good energy to tours, sharing as much information as possible while keeping the mood light and, if I can, adding a touch of humor to my explanations. Sometimes, my slightly clumsy side can also add a bit of levity to the experience… like when I get really into a tasting and vigorously swirl the wine in my glass to oxygenate it and develop the aromas, only for a small amount of liquid to escape with the overly enthusiastic movement!
