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Winerist’s Best Wine and Food Tours in Bordeaux

18 Oct, 2018

When Queen Elizabeth visited Bordeaux, she couldn’t help but call it “the very essence of elegance”. Perhaps she was swept away by its graceful streets, its many museums and its abundant history. France’s sixth largest city, Bordeaux, is an amalgam of 18thcentury sophistication and urban living, but food and drink connoisseurs flock to the metropolis for its acres and acres of rolling hills that produce some of the best-loved wine the world over. The city is also known for its mastery of French cuisine, particularly fish due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, as well as meat dishes of all kinds. To come to Bordeaux is to enjoy the finer things in life, so come; eat, drink and be happy on one of these culinary tours through the elegant city.

1: Full-Day Wine Tour of Magical Médoc


This full-day wine tour to Bordeaux’s iconic Médoc wine region will take you behind the scenes at three classified châteaux, accompanied by an expert wine guide. You will travel the length of the D2 ‘route de châteaux’ to see all of the sites of the famous villages and grand châteaux such as Margaux, Lafite Rothschild and Latour. Estates are bigger and this is the land where the 1855 Classification rules still today. You will visit three châteaux with the chance to lunch in between at a local restaurant where you will rub shoulders with the Bordeaux world of wine!

Duration: 8 Hours 30 Minutes

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3: Saint-Emilion Hot Air Balloon Flight and Wine Tour


We’ve got high hopes for you on this tour, especially if you’re an adventure seeker. You’ll take in the breathtaking sights as you soar over Saint-Emilion vineyards from your bird’s eye view in a hot air balloon! Your one-hour ride will glide you over the exceptional vineyards of Saint-Emilion, Pomerol and Fronsac as you leisurely sip on an aperitif. Once back on land, you’ll be whisked to a prestigious estate for a tasting of fine wines. Finally, you’ll end your day at a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Saint-Emilion medieval village, where you’ll learn the history of these famous buildings.

Duration: 5 Hours 30 Minutes

                                                                           

3: Half-Day Gourmet Tour of Bordeaux


They say calories don’t count in Bordeaux… Ok, they don’t say that, but how often are you in a city bursting with this much edible goodness? Save your diet for another day when you take the Gourmet Tour of Bordeaux. This unique walking tour of Bordeaux Farmer’s Market is a treat for the senses and an enjoyable immersion into Bordelaise life.  The Marché des Capucins, known as les Capus to the locals, has been frequented by the Bordelaise for centuries! Feast your eyes on fresh local fruits and vegetables, meats, fish, cheeses, breads and pastries. Your English-speaking culinary specialist guide will help you navigate between the stalls and vendors, rubbing elbows with local chefs who are doing their morning shopping!

Duration: 4 hours

                                                                           See more and book here

4: Bordeaux and Cognac Estates Tour


Did you know that cognac is produced in this area too? Christened after the French town of the same name, cognac is a variety of brandy famously produced here. On this tour, you’ll take in one wineries and distilleries, meeting those who have inherited their knowledge from generations past, secrets shared from family member to family member. You’ll also get a tour of their chateaux. You’ll end the wine portion of this tour with an exciting activity: blending your own red wine! Once you’ve had your fill of wine (if that’s possible), you’ll move on to two cognac estates and spend time with the producers during a private visit of their cellars and distilleries. You’ll learn the incredible process of turning dry and acidic white wine into the spirit we all know and love.

Duration: 9 Hours 30 Minutes

                                                           

5: Oysters and Wine Tour in Arcachon & Margaux from Bordeaux


Can’t get enough of Bordeaux? We get it. Discover Arcachon and Margaux on this full-day wine and food tour. Your certified wine guide Frederic has a deep passion for wine. He is the son of a wine grower, has more than 20 years’ experience in the world of wine and knows many of the local winemakers personally. There could be no better guide!

Your morning will be spent on the Cap Ferret Peninsula, which is dotted with small, simple oyster farming villages. Visit an oyster farm where you will learn about oysters and the farming process, followed by a tasting of some of the freshest oysters, accompanied with a glass of wine. Lunch will be in Margaux, which is around one-hour drive away. In the afternoon visit a Margaux château for a tour and tasting. Margaux wines are typically less robust and more refined than other Bordeaux wines. The dominant grape of the region is Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Carmenere grown. After your tasting, return to Bordeaux.

Duration: 9 Hours

                                                                              See more and book here

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