Even though Bordeaux's most famous red wines are out of the reach of the average traveler, wine lovers are still drawn to the history and romance of one of the most famous wine regions in the world. Bordeaux is beautiful, as lovely as Paris, but smaller, friendlier and less stressful. Located on the Atlantic coast, in Southwest France, Bordeaux offers beaches, sunny weather, and amazing opportunities to indulge in the food and wine of the region.
The wine region of Bordeaux is divided by two rivers, the Garonne and the Dordogne. The city of Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage site and over 350 of its buildings have been classified as historic monuments, so there is plenty there to please lovers of history.
Getting to Bordeaux: Getting to Bordeaux is easy. The city has its own airport, or you can take a high speed train from Paris and get there in about three and a half hours.
Exploring The Wine Regions: Bordeaux is surrounded by vineyards, and there are numerous appellations to visit that are within thirty minutes of the city. A must-see is the village of Saint-Emilion, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the home of of some of the region's most famous wines. Also within a short drive of the city of Bordeaux are Pomerol, Graves, Medoc, Entre-Deux-Mers, Cotes de Blaye and Bourg. If you head south along the Dordogne river, you will find Fronsac and Canon Fronsac, home of some of the regions best wine values. Also nearby are the regions of Cognac and Armagnac, where fine brandies are made.
The most famous wines are red blends based on Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes, but Bordeaux also makes beautiful white wines based on Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, Roses, and their famous dessert wine, Sauternes.
Most estates will require appointments for tours and visits, so make sure you book ahead of time. A few weeks before your trip you will want to start contacting the Chateau you wish to visit and scheduling your visits. If you don't want to do the leg work yourself, find a reputable tour guide that can take you out to the wineries and makes all the arrangements for you. There is great public transportation within the city of Bordeaux, but to get to wine country you will need to rent a car or hire a car service. You should allow an hour or two per visit for a tour and tasting. Tip: Roux Wine Tours can assist with coordinating winery visits and tours to Bordeaux wineries as part of out travel planning service.
The city of Bordeaux has several wonderful wine shops where you can purchase wines and many of them offer tastings in the afternoons! A favorite one of mine is Bordeaux Magnum - great selection and wonderful wine tastings with a spread of local breads and charcuterie.
My Restaurant Tip: Bordeaux has numerous restaurants where you can sample the local cuisine, and one of my favorites is L'Entrecote. I had the opportunity to dine there on my last visit to Bordeaux. This restaurant keeps things simple. All they serve is L'Entrecote (rib eye) in their famous sauce, french fries, and salad. But, it is good! I had the chance to experience it after a very long day of wine tasting at VinExpo and even though we had to stand in line for a long time to get in, it was well worth it! I plan to go back on my next trip to Bordeaux!
Exploring Bordeaux by River:In 2014, Viking River Cruises is offering a wonderful cruise along the Garonne, Gironde and Dordogne Rivers of Bordeaux. Roux Wine Tours has set aside a group on this wine river cruise, which departs on August 2, 2014 and ends on August 9, 2014. Highlights include visits to Paulliac, Margaux, Blaye, Saint-Emilion, and Sauternes. Excursions and wine tasting tours are included in this cruise. Our group gets a special discount of $125 per person, as well as other perks. To find out more, visit this page.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is also offering a wine river cruise through Bordeaux in 2014. It's cruise follows a similar itinerary to the Viking trip. The Uniworld cruise includes lots of great experiences, such as wine tasting at Château d’Arsac, a Saint-Émilion wine estate
Epicurean dinner with menu set by award-winning French Master Chef Philippe Etchebest, aCannelé-making demonstration and tasting, andArcachon oyster tasting onboard.
Both cruise lines offer early booking discounts, and you should book early, as river cruise ships are small and staterooms tend to sell out quickly.
Have questions? Need help planning a visit to Bordeaux? Let us know in the comments or call us at 1-888-251-3096.
