A trip to Bordeaux cannot be over without taking a tour of its famed vineyards. You’ll not find any winery with a « vineyard » name when making wine tours in Bordeaux. In Bordeaux, wine estates go by the name of chateaux. Bordeaux is a renowned wine region, boasting more than 6,000 chateaux. The predominant grape varieties in Bordeaux are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and every wine region uses its specific blend.
The enormous number of Bordeaux Chateaux makes it difficult for newbies to decide which ones to visit for Bordeaux wine tastings.
This article will discuss how to visit wineries in Bordeaux and make the most of your wine tour. Keep reading to learn more about the popular chateaux in this wine region. Visit winalist.com for further details.
Self-Guided, Bordeaux Wine Tour, or a Private Tour
The first aspect to consider is to decide whether to do a self-guided tour or book Bordeaux tour. It’s best to take a wine tour if there’s no designated driver or you want to learn how to drink wine.
You can pick from a wide range of options. You can choose group tours – which are often available. However, the trip comprises 30 people and pre-determined routes that you can’t change. These tours usually go to renowned wineries where plenty of information is offered.
If you’re not interested in a self-guided or Bordeaux wine tour, you can arrange a private tour. When you choose this tour, you can control the entire process. You can choose where to go or have the private tour guide take care of everything.
Best Vineyards in Bordeaux for Wine Tasting
1. Chateau Pape-Clement
This chateau is the oldest planted vineyard in the wine region, and it’s popular due to its incredible wine. Most of their grapes are red (Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon), but they also have a small portion of the white variety. The Chateau Pape-Clement provides various tours, including fancier ones – for instance, a wine and caviar pairing. Due to the chateau’s immense popularity, its prices can be a bit on the higher side.
2. Chateau D’Agassac
This chateau looks like it’s straight from a fairy tale. Most of the original chateaux established in the 16th and 17th centuries still exist to the present day. Their normal tour takes around 45 minutes, followed by a wine tasting event at a restored pigeon house. Chateau D’Agassac also provides tailor-made wine tours where you can select subjects to concentrate on, like winemaking, architecture, or history.
3. Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion
This chateau can be accessed by tram from the city center; therefore, there’s no need to hire a vehicle. Once there, you’ll see a very picturesque chateau, filled with ivy. Although the chateau has a lot of history, its winery was entirely renovated in 2016. It utilizes state-of-the-art equipment and has a modern touch that many wineries in the region don’t have.
The Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion also emphasizes art – you’ll find modern art figures and sculptures – and the tasting room provides a scenic vineyard panorama.
The Bottom Line
When you visit the Bordeaux region of France, you should consider various factors like the estate’s beauty, affordability, and views. Also, you should consider whether you need a self-guided or guided tour. Here are some of the popular wineries you can visit in Bordeaux. However, there are other destinations not mentioned in this post you can visit and learn more about the history of the wine region.
