Saturday, February 21, 2015

What To Expect From The Best Bordeaux Wine Tours

By Olivia Cross


If you love wine, or are even just vaguely familiar with it you will have heard of Bordeaux. The name is synonymous with quality wine as the region is home to over 8000 wine producers . Bordeaux wines have traveled the world but it is also possible to travel & taste them in their home. The best Bordeaux wine tours include visits to producers, incredible gastronomy and of course a guide to explain all about those wonderful wines.

The Bordeaux region has become the largest wine producing region of France because it is blessed with soil which is ideal for grapes. On any trip to the area you will hear all about the soil and how it affects the taste of the different grapes. Even within Bordeaux there are a large number of separate growing areas each with their own characteristics.

Even in this one area there are different types and qualities of wines to taste. The river area is home to the vintage and top quality wines are their soils are richest. Then there are the left and right banks. For the novice it is probably best to choose a tour which incorporates a little of everything.

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.

Winery tours usually take a couple of hours. There are many vineyards both large and small. The character of a visit to each is quite different. In a smaller one the owner will often give the tour and host the tasting. This can be extremely interesting as they are usually passionate and incredibly knowledgeable about their product. It is a privilege to taste something made by the producer and share their pride.

There are a few times of year when it is best to avoid a trip to taste wines in Bordeaux. The winter months, December and January are cold and most wineries are busy with blending. In April the professionals are in town and are classifying the wines so vineyards are busy with them and do not usually take appointments. Most are also closed on weekends so plan a midweek trip if tasting is your priority.

The city itself is also a top tourist attraction and a World Heritage Site and there is plenty to do so you may want to stay an extra few days. There is incredible architecture, top museums and, this being Franc, extraordinary food. A wine tour package will usually include a guide, transport (you do not want to have to spit out all that wine), accommodation and some meals. Some also include a class at wine school. Many companies also offer bespoke packages so if you have particular wineries you want to visit this would be a great option.

To find the best tour for you is really easy. Lots of companies offer package deals which include winery visits, guides, transport, accommodation and even some meals. They can also design packages specifically for you. The area has lots to offer in addition to wine so you could include a visit to a Medieval village or a spa or some nature, the options are endless.




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