Wine-Tours
Bordeaux, Gateway to the vineyards
Capital of the Gironde, Bordeaux is the emblem of a whole vineyard.
In Bordeaux, the impetus given to the city by the 2016 inauguration of its Cité du Vin has given it momentum toward a new destiny. The majestic golden tower on the banks of the Garonne River offers visitors from all over the world a fun and sensory journey into the culture, history and civilizations of wine. The The museographic journey winds around a 3000 m² nave and ends with a tasting at a height of 35 mon a panoramic platform overlooking the city at 360°. Fairy-like and unmissable.
The only castle in town
Combining tradition and modernity, Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion (Pessac-Léognan) is also a Bordeaux monument. If a dozen or so wineries can be visited within a few minutes’ drive of the city center, it is the only producer with an intramural addressaccessible by tramway. Enclosed in the city, which serves as an alcove, this urban vineyard of 5 hectaressurrounded by a park of hundred-year-old trees, amazes with its contemporary metal cellar signed by the designer Philippe Starck.
Saint-Emilion, an exceptional vineyard
Listed as a world heritage site, the wine and cultural landscapes of Saint-Emilion form, with the neighboring appellations of Pomerol and Fronsac, an exceptional group of AOCs and historical sites, which mark out one of the most mythical wine routes of Bordeaux.
On the right bank of the river, the vineyard of Saint-Emilion, che Saint-Emilion vineyard, with more than 900 winegrowers, is characterized by a mosaic of soils, plots and small farms. The geological diversity of the soils, dominated by clay and limestone, allows skillful and very expressive blending of grape varieties.
Between history, striking landscapes and prestigious wines
Discover the Châteaux that produce the most famous wines in the world: Angélus, Cheval Blanc, Pavie, Beauséjour or more intimate visits like the Château Tour Saint Christophe or Château Larmande… To recover from your emotions we will reserve a table for you in a restaurant in the heart of the medieval village.
The Médoc, exceptional appellations
The Bordeaux Wine Route in the Médoc is approximately 100 km long and extends from the commune of Blanqueforton the edge of the Bordeaux urban area, to Saint-Vivien-de-Médocnear the Pointe de Grave. It follows the mythical Departmental 2 (D2) and crosses the six communes that form the southern part of the AOC Haut-Médoc – Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Saint-Estèphe, Moulis-en-Médoc, Listrac-Médoc – before serving the vineyards of the Médoc appellation, which are concentrated in the north of the peninsula.
60 Grands Crus Classés
Châteaux Lafite-Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Mouton-Rothschild and 56 other great Médoc houses are on the famous list of Grands Crus Classés in 1855. In their constant quest for perfection, these prestigious estates are constantly innovating, both in terms of oenology and oenotourism. In Pauillac, the Maison du Tourisme et du Vin offers you the opportunity to book a visit to one of its partner châteaux, and to enter the dazzling and intimidating world of these exceptional wines. It also publishes a map that reveals the impressive architectural diversity of the Médoc châteaux classified as Grand Crus. From the traditional mansion to the contemporary winery, through the “ Medoc Versailles ” (Château Beychevelle) or the oriental palace revisited (Cos d’Estournel), the wonder is guaranteed.
Graves and Sauternes, a “miraculous” territory
It is in the Graves, south of the city, that the first vines of Bordeaux were planted more than 2000 years ago. Faithful to their own legend, the terroirs of origin of the great wines of Bordeaux tell, in the present, their long initiatory journey to the highest summits of world oenology.
Wine therapy, gastronomy and castles
These territories, located south of Bordeaux, are known worldwide for their wine production. Their soils are classified as Graves and they produce mainly red wine for Pessac-Léognan and sweet white wine for Sauternes.
Take a wine tour in the Graves region: You can participate in visits and tastings at Château Pape Clément, Château de Fieuzal and Haut-Bailly in Pessac-Léognan or Château Raymond Lafon, a family property in Sauternes or the majestic Château d’Yquem. Have lunch at La Table du Lavoir, the chic-casual brasserie of the hotel Les Sources de Caudalie in the heart of the vineyard.
COGNAC AND ITS MYSTERIES
Cognac is a town known for its world famous elegant beverage and also for its historical heritage. Labelled “City of Art and History”. You can visit castles, churches and museums, but you can also stroll along the banks of the Charente or in its parks and gardens.
The only mention of Cognac reminds us of theprestigious eaux de vie of the same name.
After your discovery of the Bordeaux vineyards, make a detour to this region with a remarkable and internationally renowned heritage: stop in a large house such as Rémy Martin to discover how these fine eaux de vie are made, double distilled and aged in oak barrels. Learn how to Among these palettes, vanilla, prune, caramel, orange, apricot: can you recognize them?
You can visit the Forgeron Cognac house, a family distillery in Segonzac, or the Maison des Cognacs Camus, one of the oldest distilleries in the city, where you can participate in a private Master Blender workshop. The famous installations of Cognac Hennessy or Remy Martin will be on your program.