Tasting & Wine holiday in Bordeaux

Tasting & Wine holiday in Bordeaux

This wine tasting holiday will bring you between Bordeaux, “city of Art and History”, best-known for its exquisite cuisine and for having given its name to one of the finest wines in the world, the gorgeous châteaux Cazeneuve, de Roquetaillade and de la Brède, the long sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast and the fragrant pine forests. Discover the delicious french Bordeaux wine and take advantage of the the many wineries inviting you for a tasting to become a real wine expert!

Region(s) to discover

Gironde

The region Gironde is a must see insider tip among tourists wishing to discover the beauty and diversity of France. Plan your trip well ahead, because you’ll definitely be spoilt of choice: Between Bordeaux, “city of Art and History”, best-known for its exquisite cuisine and for having given its name to one of the finest wines in the world, the gorgeous châteaux Cazeneuve, de Roquetaillade and de la Brède, the long sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast and the fragrant pine forests, the former fishing village Arcachon (now a sea resort in vogue) with its popular Dune of Pilat, the tallest sand dune in Europe offering a stunning view over the Atlantic Ocean, the pine forests and the hip peninsula Lège-Cap-Ferret with its wild rocky coastline, there is something for every taste. 

Wherever you may stroll along the coast, you’ll definitely come across an authentic oyster fisher happy to give you a taste of fresh seafood, accompanied with a glass of delicious white, at a reasonable price. Bordeaux wine lovers are delighted by the choice of wineries inviting them for a tasting. If you don’t tolerate the dry heat of the Mediterranean coast, this is the perfect destination: a heavy rain shower only lasts until a bright blue sky chases the rain clouds away. Rent a bike and enjoy the healthy iodinated sea breeze!

Itinerary

•  Day 2 - Tuesday : Bordeaux
•  Day 3 - Wednesday : Saint-Léon - Chenac Saint Seurin D'uzet - Bordeaux
•  Day 4 - Thursday : Ludon-Médoc - Pessac - Bordeaux
•  Day 5 - Friday : Lège Cap Ferret - Bordeaux

Day 2: Tuesday,  Bordeaux

Guided Stroll through the Old Town of Bordeaux

Marie, your local guide, will show you around her hometown with expertise and good humor. Her tour through the old town revolves around the fashion style and favorite boutiques of the typical Bordelaise, in the past and today. 

During your stroll through markets, along small boutiques and shopping malls to the famous flee market Saint-Michel, you will learn a great deal about the style and shopping habits over the centuries. 

The guided visit starts at the Place des Quinconces under the cock of the “Monument aux Girodins” and ends at the flea market Saint-Michel.

Duration: around 3 hours - Marie speaks French, English and German – in groups up to 20 participants

Dinner in a Local Home

This is the perfect occasion for a gastronomic pleasure together with locals.

Helena and her husband live in a pretty house not far from the Bordeaux city center. They have recently renovated their home.

While her husband, a wine expert, will take care of the wine, Helena, a passionate cook, will prepare the dinner. 

Around a nicely laid table in a convivial atmosphere, you will enjoy a top-quality home-cooked meal, made from fresh ingredients.

Part of the menu: foie gras, Duck in the Bordelaise style, red wine and digestive.

Parking space and taxi stand in the proximity. 

Helena and her husband speak English, French and Italian – Service arising from sharing Economy.

Night at the Hotel 3* Qualys la Tour Intendence
 

Included: local guide, visit, drinks, dinner, bedroom and breakfast

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Day 3: Wednesday, Saint-Léon - Chenac Saint Seurin D'uzet - Bordeaux

Discover the History of a Family-Owned Vineyard of the Appellation Côte de Buzet

Jaques is a winegrower and an enologist. Through the history of the vineyard his family has owned for five hundred years, he will let you in on the finesses of winegrowing.

From the estate he will take you for a stroll through the woods to the vineyards where you can discover the soul of wine, praised by Charles Baudelaire in his famous poem. You will also learn a great deal about the history of the Lot-de-Garonne, cultivation methods, the soils and the region’s special micro climate. 

The stroll will finish in style in the family-owned wine cellar with a tasting of the organically grown wine. Savor the fine wine!
You will walk along a six-kilometer long stretch with sloping paths, clayey and sandy soil.

Duration: around 3 hours - guided tour in French or English – in groups up to 14 participants.

Visit of a Family-Owned Vineyard Manufacturing Cognac and the Aperitif Pineau des Charentes

The vineyard has been for several generations in Florian’s family and he is proud to continue the family tradition. They produce Cognac and the aperitif Pineau des Charentes, very popular in the Charentes region.

Florian will introduce you to his manufacturing process and his working methods, to top it all, you will enjoy a tasting of his different products.
According to the legend, in the 16th century, a wine-maker accidently added grape must into a barrel that he believed was empty but actually contained eau de vie, the basic product for the making of cognac – years later a new drink was invented, of which you will be given a bottlePineau de Charentes“Tradition” to take back home.

Duration: around 2 hours – commentaries in English or French – in groups up to 20 participants

Night at the Hotel 3* Qualys la Tour Intendence

Included: local guide, drinks, visit, bedroom and breakfast

Day 4: Thursday,  Ludon-Médoc - Pessac - Bordeaux

Gourmet Lunch in a hundred year old Cooperage of the Médoc region

Christine is proud to continue the traditional craft of a cooper, mastered by her family since 1902. Happy to share her love of wine and its aromas, she will open her cooperage for you. 

She will introduce you to the manufacturing of barrels, the adequate choice of staves, the heating technique and long-established working methods.

Follow the beguiling scent of the heated oak barrels and learn about a craft in use since antiquity!
Your visit will end in style in the attached, family-owned, restaurant where you will be served a revisited traditional meal, accompanied by a choice of wines from the property.

Duration: around 3 hours – commentaries in english or french – in groups up to 15 participants.

Enology-Workshop : create your own grand cru

The rapid expansion of the wine production is closely linked to the history of the wine-growing districts such as Médoc, Saint-Emillion or Graves, the best example being the Bordeaux area, where vine was introduced by the Romans. Pierre, an enologist, is aware of this fact and its historic significance. In his workshop he will let you slip into the skin of a wine-grower and teach you how to make your own “grand cru.”

Your immersion in the world of a wine-grower will begin with an introduction to the proper wine tasting technique. Pierre will familiarize you with the vine varieties, the “body” of the wine (the general weight or ‘fullness’), the tannins and the balance of the various components. You will learn about traditional manufacturing processes used in the production of great vintages. 

Eventually, equipped with a pair of tweezers and a test glass, you can give free reins to your creativity and make your own grand cru – up to nine compositions - from the grapes of the vineyard. The bottling will take place in the cellar, with help of a software you can even create your own personalized label. 

Back at the castle, your workshop will finish in style with a wine tasting and a comparison between “your own creation” and a grand cru from the domain. Of course you can take “your” bottle back home, enjoy it together with your loved-ones!

Duration : around 2.5 hours – commentaries : in english or french – in groups up to 14 participants.
Night at the Hotel 3* Qualys la Tour Intendence

Included: local guide, drinks, lunch, visit, bedroom and breakfast

Day 5: Friday,  Lège Cap Ferret - Bordeaux

Embark with an oyster farmer from Arcachon : tour and tasting of oysters

Christian invites you to embark on his oyster boat, to live his profession from within.
He will present you his work tools and daily activities, If you want you can even participate in the tasks!
Christian raises oysters and sells them directly for tasting. So these are all steps in the chain that you will approach.

You'll also enjoy this special and magical atmosphere that reigns on the wonders of Arcachon. You will make a stop near Bird Island and admire one of the last hut "tchanquée", which makes pride of the basin.

Duration : around 3h30 – commentaries in french and english – in groups of up to 8 participants.

Night at the Hotel 3* Qualys la Tour Intendence

Included: local guide, visit, bedroom and breakfast   

Accomodation

Hotel Qualys la Tour Intendance
Bordeaux

·         Category: Hotel 3*

La Tour Intendance is situated in the heart of Bordeaux, next to Place Gambetta and a 2-minute walk from the Grand Theatre. It offers free WiFi and air-conditioned rooms.

Guest rooms at La Tour Intendance are equipped with flat-screen TV, telephone, safe and en suite facilities. They are accessible by lift.

La Tour is a short walk from Saint-Pierre, where there are many restaurants, cafes and boutiques. It is also close to Mériadeck business district.

At Gambetta as well as at the Grand Theatre, guests can find a tram stop. This hotel's locations makes it an excellent base to discover Bordeaux.

Bordeaux City-Centre is a great choice for travellers interested in food, shopping and wine.

The price includes:

-    All services set out under “included in the program”.
-    Standard room unless set out otherwise 
-    A travel folder with the reservation vouchers.
-    A phone contact in case of an emergency during your trip

Not-included in the price:

-    Transport (unless indicated otherwise).
-    Cancellation and repatriation insurances, all-risks coverage.
-    Meals (unless indicated otherwise).
-    Personal expenses (drinks, tips etc.)