It’s beautiful today in sunny Bordeaux, France. I am looking across the street from the Renaissance Hotel to the architecturally modern wine museum, La Cité du Vin anticipating a wonderful press tour of this famous French wine region.
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The itinerary takes me to several sub-regions, many wineries, tours of some historic UNESCO World Heritage sites, and several museums. I’m excited to taste a range of wines and especially the highly rated 2021 White Bordeaux.
“2021 is an absolutely brilliant vintage for White Bordeaux, whether dry or sweet, which I had the pleasure of tasting…. [they]were delightfully aromatic and full of fruit and zest.” – Jancis Robinson, Spring 2022, Purple Pages
Tricia Conover in Bordeaux, near Place du Palais, Porte Cailhau, Chloé Cazaux Grandpierre, Photographer
Here is a quick summary of the week’s press tour itinerary:
· Private City Tour with Chloé Cazaux Grandpierre, DipWSET www.chloeandwines.fr
· Pomerol, Right Bank, and Château Gazin (next-door neighbor to Chateau Petrus)
· Margaux, Left Bank. Château Dauzac one of Margaux’s best Cinquièmes (5th growth) Grands Crus Classés · Saint-Émilion, Right bank, Château La Croizille, beautiful winery
· Les Bassins de Lumières, the largest art digital center in the world inside a former bunker from WWII.
· Wine tour in both the Margaux and Saint-Emilion regions.Cezanne, “Lights of Provence” exhibition, Les Bassins de Lumières
Château Dauzac estate
3 Tips for Traveling to Bordeaux
1. Travel during the off-seasons. Travel to Bordeaux in April-early May or October-November. You will miss the barrage of the European tourists of summer. Traffic will be lighter. Do not go in August!
2. Add a foodie tour or Slow Food Movement activity to your agenda. Wine and food are natural pairings. The food in Bordeaux is inspiring.
3. Add a “value” appellation to your itinerary. You will be surprised at some of the bargain wines in many areas the Medoc region, if you go outside the large Chateaux. Chateau Paloumey is an example.
A Guide to Bordeaux Wine Classifications by Sub-Region
Left Bank Haut Medoc- 1855 Classification of Chateaux (ordered by Napoleon III for the best Bordeaux wines for the 1855 Exposition Universelle de Paris). The levels start at 1st Growth (Premier Cru) through 5th Growth (62 wines). The 1st Growths are: Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Latour, Chateau Margaux, Chateau Haut Brion (in Graves), and Chateau Mouton Rothschild.
“Super Seconds”- are those 2nd Growths of Haut Medoc that are close to being 1st Growths. Example: Léoville Las Cases.
Note: all other Left Bank wines are unclassified or Cru Bourgeois (Medoc) –Chateau that are examined and certified for quality.
Left Bank Graves- 1959 Classification: Chateaus are rated “Crus Classé” for red or white wine. Sub-region Pessac-Léognan is its own AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controlée).
Left Bank Sauternes- Classified in 1855, there are only 3 levels: Premier Cru Supérieur (solely for Chateau d’Yquem), Premier Cru (1st Growth, and Deuxiemes Cru (2nd Growth).
Right Bank St. Emilion - This is the only Right Bank location to classify wines. They classify 4 levels of wines: Premier Grand Cru Classé A (only 1 property – Ch. Pavie - currently as Ch. Ausone, Ch. Cheval Blanc; and Ch. Angelus left the classification in 2021) & B (14 properties), Grand Cru Classé (64 properties), and Grand Cru (lowest classed level). The classification for 2022 is up in the air. St. Emilion is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Right Bank Pomerol- This region has no official classification, yet Chateau Petrus is considered to rank with the 1st growths in Bordeaux.
Other Bordeaux wines, including entry level: There are 7 AOC’s (Appellations d’Origine Controlée) for these wines: Bordeaux Rouge AOC, Bordeaux Supérieur Rouge, Bordeaux Clairet, Bordeaux Rosé, Bordeaux Blanc, Bordeaux Supérieur Blanc, and Crémant de Bordeaux.
Rue Sainte-Catherine, Bordeaux
Shopping in Bordeaux: Rue Sainte-Catherine, The Longest Shopping Street in Europe
Do you like to shop? Rue Sainte-Catherine is a pedestrian-only street, and is full of boutiques of all kinds and some big brands like Mango, Zara, and Stradivarius. Located in the heart of Bordeaux between Place del la Comédie and Place de la Victorie, it is the longest shopping street in Europe at 1,250 km. Admire the front of the Galeries Lafayette with its magnificent clock and the women in carved in stone. Don’t miss the popular street art. Try to avoid Saturdays!
Join me in the next several weeks for my summer Europe tour in Bordeaux. Stay tuned for news about Spain.
Recommended White Bordeaux (many 2021 are not yet available)
Excellent article, and thank you for the mention! The estates you are visiting are really nice, and I have heard a lot of great things about the Hotel Renaissance, and Bassins de Lumieres is such a visual treat! Enjoy and have some great Bordeaux wine for me!
Thank you for this wonderful post!
Excellent article, and thank you for the mention! The estates you are visiting are really nice, and I have heard a lot of great things about the Hotel Renaissance, and Bassins de Lumieres is such a visual treat! Enjoy and have some great Bordeaux wine for me!