As the wine capital of Southwest France, Bordeaux is the gateway to a multi-faceted region that offers sweet white wines, fresh rosés, sparkling Crémant wines and velvety reds… There is bound to be a Bordeaux that appeals to your tastes, but the question is which one and why.
Put your sensory impressions into words, discover the secrets of blending (the true signature of a Bordeaux wine) and get to know the châteaux up close – a myriad of activities await you. Here is an overview.

FUN CULTURAL ACTIVITIES FOR AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO DISCOVER BORDEAUX WINES

In Bordeaux city itself, the emblematic Cité du Vin invites you to embark on a journey through time and the continents. In addition to a permanent exhibition on wine civilisations, the Cité du Vin is truly a meeting place where concerts, conferences, screenings and debates are regularly organised.

And for those who want to take part in workshops packed with tasting experiences, the Bordeaux Wine School is THE place to visit. To better understand the diversity of Bordeaux wines, let yourself be guided through the terroirs, appellations, styles and colours of Bordeaux wines by the enthusiastic, expert tutors at this learning centre who all have practical experience in the vineyard.

Located in one of the city’s historic buildings, the Bordeaux Wine School offers fun and interactive training courses which bring together a passion for wine and tasting.

WINE TASTING ACTIVITIES IN BORDEAUX: WORKSHOPS OFFERING A VARIETY OF FLAVOURS

The Bordeaux Wine School is a school like no other: you can choose from an exciting collection of workshops.

Beginners can discover the art of wine tasting at workshops lasting from two hours to a full day. For example, the Introductory Workshop or combine quizzes, olfactory exercises and the creation of your own blend. You will leave with tips and techniques to help you appreciate your wine and impress your friends and family.

Connoisseurs can choose one of our three-hour workshops, such as Wine Aromas or The Art of Blending, both of which are comprehensive and fun courses designed to boost your knowledge and become an expert on Bordeaux wines.

Discover one of the Bordeaux Wine School’s most popular courses, the Wine and Cheese workshop with its interesting and surprising food pairings which highlight how cheese does not only pair well with red wine.

Or for something totally different, check out the Bordeaux Tonic workshop which gives free rein to your creativity. Learn the art of adding natural ingredients to mix and enhance refreshing wines.

Be sure not to miss out! Take a look at the course list here.

TAKE A WALK THROUGH THE VINEYARDS

Step into the vineyards and meet the faces behind Bordeaux wines.

The châteaux offer a variety of activities to expand your knowledge and help you step into the shoes of a winegrower! Château Saint-Ferdinand (Lussac Saint-Émilion appellation), for example, offers you the opportunity to take part in the harvest while Château Lamothe-Bergeron (Haut-Médoc appellation) invites you on a visit complete with sounds, images and lights to better understand the work in the cellar.

Looking for a family outing? Château Bardins (Pessac-Léognan appellation) has created a variety of fun and educational activities available in four languages (choose from guided electric bike tours, tasting workshops, an orienteering game and a wine quiz).

The Vignerons de Tutiac cooperative offers a “Bordeaux wine region 2030” experience which presents how the Bordeaux wine region is transitioning towards being 100% environmentally-friendly. Visit an experimental vineyard, a “veritable open-air research lab” designed to help you imagine the vineyards of the future.

Still in the vineyard, take the time to visit exceptional cellars, real gems of architecture and technology, designed to meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s demands. At the forefront of environmental standards, these cellars are equipped to meet winegrowers’ and oenologists’ ambitious goals for quality, in their quest to produce the next generation of wines. Among them, Château Cos d’Estournel in Saint-Estèphe and Château Fleur Cardinale in Saint-Émilion offer visitors an interesting way to delve right to the heart of Bordeaux winemaking.

Find other original ideas from the excellent selection of activities, tasting experiences and visits offered by the team at Bordeaux Wine Trip.

When will you come and visit us in Bordeaux?