If you know the name Bordeaux it is probably from a wine bottle. The region is synonymous with quality wine and has over eight thousand vineyards. Most are open to visitors and provide excellent tours and tasting sessions. Viticulture is the life blood of the area and so it makes a great trip for the novice and keen enthusiast. Finding the best Bordeaux wine tours depends on your knowledge and love of wine.
The vast majority of wine produced in the area is red. Only about ten percent is white or rose. This is partly due to the soil and climate. The south west of France is a limestone region with well drained gravel soils. There are three major rivers which irrigate the land and replenish nutrients.
There are various areas within the region which produce wine with different characteristics. One of the most famous is Medoc which is situated on the left bank of the Gironde. The highest quality wines come from the banks of this river and are highly prized by wine lovers. A package tour may include several of these areas of for those wishing to specialize in a particular one there are tailored tours available.
There is also a wine school in the city where visitors can take all sorts of classes. The most basic is a two hour introduction to tasting and the drinks of the area. This is a great idea for those who do not know much about wine before they start on a tour. However, if you want to get into more technical aspects of wine making there are two and three day courses where you can even try blending.
Winery tours usually take a couple of hours. There are many vineyards both large and small. The character of a visit to each is quite different. In a smaller one the owner will often give the tour and host the tasting. This can be extremely interesting as they are usually passionate and incredibly knowledgeable about their product. It is a privilege to taste something made by the producer and share their pride.
Before planning a trip be sure to check with an agent about when to visit. There are a few times of year when wineries are closed. In January they are usually occupied with blending and do not take visitors. The first week of April is also off-limits to non professionals. This is when the experts are in town and tasting the latest offerings. Every other year there is also Vinexpo which takes up all producers time.
The city of Bordeaux is ancient and interesting. The architecture is stunning, in fact it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Visitors can spend days exploring the city so it is always an option to tag this onto a wine tour. Why not enjoy the local gastronomy and some more booze while soaking up the culture?
A typical wine tour package will include visits to a variety of wine producers, a guide, transport and driver, lunches, accommodation and often a class at wine school. Most operators also offer bespoke tours. This means for people who have an interest in a particular wine or type of grape they can choose which vineyards to visit. Travel agents can also arrange stay in local villages, spa trips, history tours and more.
The vast majority of wine produced in the area is red. Only about ten percent is white or rose. This is partly due to the soil and climate. The south west of France is a limestone region with well drained gravel soils. There are three major rivers which irrigate the land and replenish nutrients.
There are various areas within the region which produce wine with different characteristics. One of the most famous is Medoc which is situated on the left bank of the Gironde. The highest quality wines come from the banks of this river and are highly prized by wine lovers. A package tour may include several of these areas of for those wishing to specialize in a particular one there are tailored tours available.
There is also a wine school in the city where visitors can take all sorts of classes. The most basic is a two hour introduction to tasting and the drinks of the area. This is a great idea for those who do not know much about wine before they start on a tour. However, if you want to get into more technical aspects of wine making there are two and three day courses where you can even try blending.
Winery tours usually take a couple of hours. There are many vineyards both large and small. The character of a visit to each is quite different. In a smaller one the owner will often give the tour and host the tasting. This can be extremely interesting as they are usually passionate and incredibly knowledgeable about their product. It is a privilege to taste something made by the producer and share their pride.
Before planning a trip be sure to check with an agent about when to visit. There are a few times of year when wineries are closed. In January they are usually occupied with blending and do not take visitors. The first week of April is also off-limits to non professionals. This is when the experts are in town and tasting the latest offerings. Every other year there is also Vinexpo which takes up all producers time.
The city of Bordeaux is ancient and interesting. The architecture is stunning, in fact it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Visitors can spend days exploring the city so it is always an option to tag this onto a wine tour. Why not enjoy the local gastronomy and some more booze while soaking up the culture?
A typical wine tour package will include visits to a variety of wine producers, a guide, transport and driver, lunches, accommodation and often a class at wine school. Most operators also offer bespoke tours. This means for people who have an interest in a particular wine or type of grape they can choose which vineyards to visit. Travel agents can also arrange stay in local villages, spa trips, history tours and more.
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