What To Expect From The Best Bordeaux Wine Tours

By Olivia Cross


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.

Bordeaux is the largest wine growing region in France. Wine has been produced in this area for almost one thousand years so there is some extraordinary heritage to explore. The reason for the quality of these wines is the geology of the area which has soils which are perfect for cultivating grapes.

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.

For both the novice and the keen amateur there are interesting courses in the local wine school. They have introductory classes which cover the basics of tasting and the local regional wine culture. There are also technical classes which explore the local terrain and its affect on the wine and blending classes.

A typical tour of a vineyard will include tasting as well as visits to the cellars, vat rooms, barrel rooms and of course, the vines. They normally last around ninety minutes and so it is quite easy to visit a few in one day. Smaller growers will do the tasting with their visitors and love to talk about their passion with interested parties. Larger wineries have hospitality staff.

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.

Besides wine the area has lots to offer. The city is a World Heritage Site with beautiful architecture and lots of cultural activities. There are walking tours and plenty of museums to keep the visitor happy for days. It is possible to add on extra time before or after a wine package to enjoy the city and its surroundings

To find the best tour for you is really easy. Lots of companies offer package deals which include winery visits, guides, transport, accommodation and even some meals. They can also design packages specifically for you. The area has lots to offer in addition to wine so you could include a visit to a Medieval village or a spa or some nature, the options are endless.




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