Thursday

What To Expect From The Best Bordeaux Wine Tours

By Olivia Cross


Wine culture has become hugely popular in recent years. The history of one of our favorite beverages goes back to the fifth century BC so there is a lot to explore for the enthusiast and keen drinker alike. France has been at the forefront of wine cultivation since Roman times and Bordeaux is its largest growing region. There are lots of great trips in the area and the best Bordeaux wine tours are easy to find and compare online.

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.

Producers on the banks of the Gironde river produce the most expensive, best quality wines in the region. The Medoc area is also extremely popular, that is situated in the left bank area. For a first trip it is probably a good idea to choose a tour which incorporates several areas to get an idea of the differences. For those familiar with the area travel companies can help arrange visits to specific wineries.

A great way to get introduced to these aspects of wine culture is to go to wine school. They host classes to introduce visitors to the principles of tasting and also describe the region. There are also classes which explain the more technical side of wine making and some even teach blending. Courses last from a few hours to a few days.

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.

When thinking about the best time of year to take a trip to Bordeaux a couple of things should be considered. Firstly, the beginning of April is a busy period for the wineries and they do not usually take visitors. Also the winter months are less appealing as the land is quite barren and many producers are busy blending and not interested in doing tours. Also, if you are planning a short trip of only a few days make sure to go midweek and vineyards are usually closed at weekends.

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

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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