Bordeaux Tour Itinerary
Bordeaux, the ‘French Wine Capital’ is famous for its First Cru Château and their Bordeaux blends. There are the five main international grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Carménère, Petit Verdot and even ‘black’ Malbec makes the list.
New challenges are now occluding the bright image of the region. Global warming, climatic changes, declining consumption, uncertain markets, and consumer trends are disturbing production.
A large EU funded incentive program to encourage pulling vineyards out, with the removal of thousands of planted areas, mostly in the Entre-Deux-Mers subregion of Bordeaux has been the most immediate answer to the glut of red generic Bordeaux wine production.
Newly implemented and innovative vineyard and winery programs are helping to adapt Bordeaux to challenges. These Include the use of single varieties or forgotten ones, changes in training, pruning, organic methods and agroforestry. In the winery the use of lighter extraction, shorter macerations in concrete, terracotta, or large foudre casks, if not contemporary style of bottles and labels. All are contributing to a new age of Bordeaux Château.
During the week tour we will visit wineries from Graves to Pessac and Barsac, Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, Blaye and Medoc. ‘Old’ styles and new ‘Vignerons Pirate’ winemakers will present their best solutions.
Every day, we will visit two to three key wineries, hosted by the proprietor or the head winemaker and followed by focused tastings.
Overview of the program:
Sunday March 23
Fly to Mérignac Bordeaux Airport (BOD) or arrive by train at Gare Bordeaux Saint-Jean station. Tram A (1.8 euro) from Mérignac Soleil takes about an hour with one change to Tram C at Porte de Bourgogne to reach Gare St. Jean. There is a Direct Shuttle (8 euro) every 30 min to Gare St. Jean that takes 30 min.
Hotel Novotel Bordeaux Gare St. Jean. The hotel is a 10 min walk from Gare St Jean. Tram lines C & D from Bordeaux St Jean service the Tauzia Tram stop just opposite of the hotel.
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Brunch followed by a boat tour of Bordeaux.
Meet in downtown Bordeaux for a Welcome Dinner, near to Gare St. Jean followed by dinner.
Monday March 24
Exploring Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc along the river Garonne in Graves at Merignac and Pessac. Night in Cadillac.
Château Luchey-Halde, Pessac, Sciences AGRO & introduction to Bordeaux wines & region.
Domaine de La Renouée, Cadillac, tour & tasting & lunch, 17 'forgotten' varieties and vigneron 'Bordeaux Pirate'
Clos Floridène , Barsac, tour & tasting with host Jean Jacques Dubourdieu
Château La Rame, AOP Sainte Croix du Mont
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Tuesday March 25
Tasting Sémillon in Barsac and lost-forgotten Bordeaux grape varieties in Côtes de Bordeaux.
Château Cazebonne, flagship 'Bordeaux Pirate'
Bordeaux Families, low/no alcohol
Domaine de l'A, Sainte Colombe, tour & tasting with host Stephane Derenoncourt
Night in Saint-Émilion
Wednesday March 26
Classic Merlot and Cabernet Franc in Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.
Château Fonroque GCC Saint-Émilion
Château La Dominique GCC tour, tasting & lunch
Château de Sours, Saint-Quentin-de-Baron, tour & tasting with host Sébastien Jacquey DG
Night in Saint-Émilion
Thursday March 27
The new ‘popular style’ players in Fronsac and Blayes.
Château de Piote, Bordeaux-Bourg, tour & tasting & lunch, host Verginie Aubrion
Château Begot, host Joachim Haas, an exciting young right bank winemaker
Tour of the Citadelle, Blaye, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Night in Blaye
Friday March 28
The First Châteauof Medoc: Classics vs Moderns from Pauillac to Margaux.
Ferry crossing to right bank
Château Beycheveille, Saint Julien, 4th Growth, tour & tasting
Château Palmer, Margeaux 'Super 2nd', tour & tasting
Château Marquis de Terme, dinner
Night in Margaux
Saturday March 29
Small is beautiful. A morning in Medoc before returning to Bordeaux for a relaxing dinner and night.
Closerie des Moussis, Arsac, tour & tasting