Thousands of wineries producing close to a billion bottles of wine a year are scattered on the left and right banks of the BordeauxSo where should you visit? And how do you build a perfect wine and culinary trip in the Bordeaux region?
Bordeaux – the wine capital of France
The main city after which the entire region is named is Bordeaux. A student city, beautiful and impressive, with a wide river at its heart that crosses it from south to north and continues towards the ocean. This traffic channel is largely responsible for making Bordeaux what it is today. A lot of money has flowed (and continues to flow) into the local wine industry, an excellent incentive for grape growers to continue improving the produce that is sold around the world. Britain, “the power on which the sun never sets,” has led world trade for centuries and its love for the wines of its French neighbor, Bordeaux, is clearly evident.
It is definitely worth stopping for a while and discovering the city's treasures. Impressive statues, fountains and squares, and an impressive "floor mirror" created from a combination of stone and water. Don't miss the The experiential wine museum, La Cite du Vin, which activates all the senses, including the sense of smell, and offers an experience that is suitable for all ages and not just for wine lovers. It is also worth stopping and taking a look at the impressive wine shops, some of which will allow you to taste different wines, such as the Max Bordeaux store located in the city center. Also take a look at one of the most beautiful wine shops in the world: l'Intendent, which is built like a spiral that climbs up and up, as is the impressive selection of wines.
The wine regions surrounding the city are conveniently located a short drive of about half an hour to an hour from the city, and can be reached with a rental car, which is easy to pick up in Bordeaux city center, or at the airport. Keep in mind that a visit to the wineries usually includes a wine tasting and you don't drink and drive. You can hire a driver for the day, join organized day trips with the various tour companies in Bordeaux, or join us at Vinspiration for an organized trip.
Medoc Region – The Most Prestigious Wineries and the 1855 List
The northern part of the Left Bank, the one that looks like a finger pointing north, is home to dozens of the most famous and prestigious wineries in Bordeaux (and some would say in the entire world). Wineries like Chateau Margaux and Chateau Lafitte Rothschild were recognized as early as 1855, when they were ranked as the best wineries in Bordeaux in a list prepared for Napoleon III.
The famous list has only changed once since then, when Chateau Mouton Rothschild moved from second to first place on the list. With some changes, this list is still largely valid today and visitors to the region should try and visit them. The wines are big and powerful, based on the famous Cabernet Sauvignon grape, to which are added Merlot, Cabernet Franc and sometimes Petit Verdot, Malbec and even Carmenère.
It is important to keep in mind that these wineries have a long waiting list of wine lovers wishing to visit them, so it is advisable to schedule at least 3 months in advance. There are wineries where, in order to be accepted for a visit, you will be asked to send a “summary resume” and hope that the managers will choose you from among all those who wish to visit.
Another option is to visit wineries from the high-quality (albeit less prestigious) Cru Bourgeois rating.
You will find excellent wineries such as Château Chasse-Spleen, Château Siran and Château de Pez which, although not included in the 1855 list, certainly make excellent wines and are worth a visit. Just keep in mind that these wineries also require prior arrangements and spontaneity is not appreciated.
A wine tour in Bordeaux would not be complete without a visit to some of the leading wineries in the Medoc and it is worth leaving time for a drive through the vineyards. The beautiful castles that surround on all sides make everyone stop and take pictures and stop and take pictures again throughout the region. It is also worth planning time for lunch, it is important to take into account that the French, especially in rural areas, are very strict about their meal times. Lunch is served between 12:00 and 14:00 and you will probably not be able to find anything to eat outside of these hours.
Saint Emilion – The most beautiful town in the Bordeaux region
A medieval town declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, perched on a hill overlooking the vineyards that surround it and weave their way through its borders. 2 Michelin restaurants, one of which has 2 stars, and countless designer wine shops, many of which have impressive cellars. As you approach Saint-Emilion, you can't mistake the main occupation of most residents.
Vineyards everywhere and well-designed wineries, some modern-looking and others housed in ancient castles – here, on the right bank of the Gironde River, the history is much longer than that of the wineries in the Medoc region, which lies on the left bank. It is worth knowing that the classification here is different and the definition: Grand Cru in the Saint-Emilion region is much less prestigious than it sounds: in fact, hundreds of wineries hold the Saint Emilion Grand Cru classification, and if you are looking for the highest quality, it is worth looking for those that have been awarded a classification called: Saint Emilion Grand cru Classe.
Confusing? Absolutely! But at the end of the day, the ranking is aimed at the best and most interesting wineries. Some wineries worth visiting: Château La Gaffeliere, Château Troplong Mondot, and Château Soutard.
Near Saint-Emilion is the village of Pomerol, also worth a visit. It is home to the winery that produces the most expensive wines in Bordeaux: Château Petrus, and from here came the fame of Bordeaux’s “garage wineries” – small wineries that produce some of the best wines in France.
“Land of Pebbles” – Graves Region
A short drive south from Bordeaux will take you to the Grube region and the villages of Pessac and Leognan, which have been joined into one large village. Here you will also find some of the best wineries in Bordeaux, including one of the most famous in the world for the last 300 years: Château Haut-Brion. Back in the 18th century, the winery gained admirers around the world and Thomas Jefferson, who visited the winery on May 25, 1787, documented the visit and purchased 6 cases. A similar purchase today would cost as much as a new Mercedes.
The color Bordeaux is a description of the hue of the wine produced in the region surrounding the city of Bordeaux. Although 90% of Bordeaux's production is red wines, you shouldn't miss the excellent white wines here, based on the Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes. Among the wineries worth visiting in the area: Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Château Malartic-Lagraviere and Château Carbonnieux, a visit that also includes a collection of vintage cars.
One of Bordeaux’s most special secrets will be revealed to those who continue further south and reach the Sauternes village area, where some of the best sweet wines in the world are made. The grapes are naturally infected with a type of fungus known as noble rot. The fungus sucks the fluids out of the grapes and the result is a high concentration of sugar, acid, flavors and aromas in the grapes, from which a nectar is made that has been nicknamed: “liquid gold”. Here too, as in other areas of Bordeaux, there is a separate ranking of the best wineries in the area and it is worth looking at it. Among the wineries worth visiting: Château Guiraud and Château Clos Haut Peyraguey
More places not to miss
In addition to the “known route” of famous wineries and regions, Bordeaux has thousands of smaller, lesser-known wineries. For lovers of beautiful villages, it’s worth heading to the town of Blaye, which lies on the riverbank. An impressive and spacious citadel is open to visitors there, the city market is held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, and the small wine bar next to the charming hotel: Villa Saint Simon is a great spot for a quick escape from the noise and bustle of the city.
The Cognac region is also within easy reach, a short hour's drive will take you to the most famous brandy producers in the world: Remy Martin, Hennessy, Martel and others. Alongside the big and famous names, it is also worth visiting small and lesser-known producers, such as Château Montifaud. The small ones, unlike the big and famous ones, are grape growers who produce cognac. In fact, brands like Hennessy are not cognac distillers, but traders who purchase the ready-made cognac, blend it, age it and sell it as their own.
There is so much more to see, taste, sip and visit in the beautiful Bordeaux region, a week will provide a nice glimpse of what the area has to offer but there is certainly much more possible. The challenge will always be not to exceed the maximum weight allowed in the suitcase on the return flight.
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A few words about Vinspiration
Vinspiration takes you on wine and culinary tours in the most beautiful regions of the world.
The power of nature, the stories and people behind the wine, the flavors, colors and scents, fill the soul and senses with energy and allow for a break from the race of life and a breath of clear mountain and valley air and wine.
The people at Vinspiration believe that to truly get to know a wine region, understand the local cuisine, and enrich ourselves, we need to go out into the field and meet the people behind the action.
After countless wine and culinary trips around the world, the owners of Vinspiration founded a company that specializes in bringing you to the best and most beautiful wine regions in the world, to taste and sip, smell and meet, all at a pace that suits you and with the perfect combination of wine, food and people.
The company offers customized tours for individual travelers and groups, organized tours, day trips, and more. Vinspiration's professional team includes guides who are wine experts and have experience from dozens of tours and travelers who always jump with us to the next destination.
Looking for more information about Bordeaux and the surrounding area?
- If you are interested in living in Bordeaux, you are welcome to read the article. Accommodation in Bordeaux.
- If you are looking for what else you can do in Bordeaux, you are welcome to visit the article. What to do in Bordeaux.
Excellent explanation and finding, thank you very much
Thank you very much for the excellent and useful article about Bordeaux.
I'm glad to hear you liked it 🙂