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 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.
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
There are many companies which offer specialist wine tours and excellent packages in the Bordeaux region. A typical tour will include visits to wineries, tasting, delicious lunches, a guide to teach you all about wine and even trips to local heritage villages. What a lovely way to spend a few days.
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.
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
There are many companies which offer specialist wine tours and excellent packages in the Bordeaux region. A typical tour will include visits to wineries, tasting, delicious lunches, a guide to teach you all about wine and even trips to local heritage villages. What a lovely way to spend a few days.
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