15 April 2009

Visit the vineyards of Morocco

One doesn’t expect to see any part of Morocco thick with vineyards. It is, after all, a country partly set in the Sahara desert. However, in the hills of Meknes in northern Morocco, acre upon acre of vineyard flourishes. Producing the equivalent of 35 million bottles last year, local wine "appellations", such as those in France, and Morocco's first self-styled "Chateau", are now in existence. The wine is - "on the whole, easily as good as a decent Mendoza" comments Steve Diederich, The Best of Morocco’s Managing Director.

The specialist tour operator can arrange visits to the vineyards to observe production and to sample the wines. Stay in the nearby city of Fes, where the Medina (old city) has barely altered in 200 years,

Four-night stay in Fes costs from £800 pp staying at Dar Anebar, a sumptuous riad with a rooftop terrace and large suites. It is not unusual here to find the owner, Ahmed, in a niche, teaching a guest to play the lute (he is a very accomplished player), or inviting guests into the kitchen to either join in or watch the preparation of the meals. He has even been known to take a mule up to the nearby city gates to greet newly arriving guests and to carry their bags. The cost includes return flights from London, accommodation with breakfast, and private transfers. Vineyard visits cost extra.

For further information visit www.realmorocco.com.