Tourism in Bordeaux

2020-11-02

Bordeaux wine tasting

Queen of vineyards, the Gironde capital is known the world over for the quality of its wines and for its history intrinsically linked to viticulture and wine trading. Light on the must-see destinations for a tasting.

degustation vin bordeaux

Bordeaux wine capital

Queen of vineyards, the Gironde capital is known the world over for the quality of its wines and for its history intrinsically linked to viticulture and wine trading. An international benchmark, the Bordeaux terroir produces wines of excellence, which are among the most expensive in the world. The Gironde is therefore an ideal place to learn about oenology. Wine has been cultivated in the region since ancient times. If you move into a property in Bordeaux or nearby, take the opportunity to visit the different vineyards of Gironde and to taste their products: the wines of the region are of great diversity: from the land to the ocean, from Banks of the Garonne to those of the Dordogne, your discovery of the Bordeaux wine route will take you from grape variety to grape variety between Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot or Sémillon. Reds, dry whites and soft whites, all palates are satisfied. The Bordeaux vineyard brings together all the vines of the Gironde department, from Haute Lande Girondine to Libournais, passing through the Pays de Buch and the Médoc.

If you are visiting real estate in Bordeaux or have just moved in, be sure to explore the South West wineries, which are among the most renowned in the world.

The terroir of Pessac-Léognan

The ideal starting point for a discovery of Bordeaux wines, the Pessac-Léognan terroir is located at the gates of the city, to the south and southwest of the Gironde capital. While the appellation is recent, the terroir is actually historical, since it already existed in medieval times. In the very heart of the Bordeaux metropolis, you can, for example, visit the Château Luchey-Halde estate and appreciate the characteristic taste qualities of Pessac-Léognan wines during a tasting.

Saint-Emilion wines

A prestigious vineyard, a must-see near Bordeaux, the medieval village of Saint-Émilion is inseparable from the wine and the great vintages produced there. On the right bank of the Dordogne, in the Libournais, the Saint-Émilion vineyard is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Two appellations are to be discovered: Saint-Émilion and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. To taste these wines, go for example to Château Jean Faure in Saint-Émilion itself, or to Château de Candale in Saint-Laurent-des-Combes. Another nearby terroir is to be discovered on occasion: that of Pomerol wines, with a visit to the Château de Tailhas estate.

Entre-deux-Mers

Unique terroir, Entre-deux-Mers refers to the strip of land located between the course of the Dordogne and that of the Garonne, before they meet. You can discover several prestigious appellations there, such as the Entre-deux-mers AOC, but also the Première-Côtes-de-Bordeaux AOC. Entre-deux-Mers wines can be tasted during a visit to the Château de Seguin, an estate of medieval origin located in Lignan-de-Bordeaux. The Château de Camarsac, also called the Château du Prince Noir, is also an area not to be missed for discovering the production of Entre-deux-Mers wines.

Sauternes

Sauternes is made up of the exceptional vineyards of Barsac and Sauternes, which extend on the left bank of the Garonne, 50 km south of the city of Bordeaux. The Sémillon grape variety produces exceptional wines there, which benefit in particular from the ideal conditions for the development of "noble rot". These vineyards are the source of world-renowned sweet white wines, to be discovered for example at the Château Guiraud estate or simply at the Maison du Vigneron de Sauternes.

Medoc wines

Very elongated terroir 60 km long and 10 km wide which stretches along the Garonne on the left bank, the Médoc is a vineyard that produces exclusively red wines. The mild climate of the Médoc is particularly conducive to the cultivation of vines. The Haut-Médoc is close to Bordeaux, while the Médoc stretches towards the Gironde estuary. Do not miss the tasting tours of Chateau Castera with its historic 14th century vineyards. The annual Printemps des Châteaux event is an opportunity to take advantage of the open days in most areas of the Médoc.

Margaux

The town of Margaux is known for its exceptional estate of Château Margaux. Unmissable when discovering Bordeaux wines, the Margaux terroir is also home to other high-quality farms, such as Château Ferrière, where it is possible to taste.

The City of Wine in Bordeaux

In the heart of the city of Bordeaux, north of the Port de la Lune, the Cité du Vin inaugurated in 2016 is already emblematic of the city and essential for discovering the vineyards of Gironde. A 3000 m2 course invites you on an immersive journey into the history of vine growing and winemaking. The route ends at the belvedere, with a tasting of the wine of your choice accompanied by a panoramic view of the