BORDEAUX - THE AREA
Bordeaux Wine Tasting Tours, Holidays and Trips
Bordeaux Chateaux
For many people, the very name Bordeaux conjures up images of grand Châteaux and equally grand wines. Whilst wines from around the world have improved in quality over the last 20 or 30 years, it is still the top Châteaux of Bordeaux against which these very best wines are compared.
Why does Bordeaux enjoy such a hallowed reputation for its top wines? In part, it is because of their historical pre-eminence. Having been lauded for centuries, the top Châteaux have been able to sell their wines for exalted prices. This has meant that they can be ruthlessly selective when it comes to selecting the best grapes from which to make their wines and that no expense is spared in the wine making process. In addition, the unique terroir (soil, aspect and microclimate) of each of these estates makes an invaluable contribution to the character of each wine. On a Grape Escape to Bordeaux, you can taste these wines and visit these Châteaux. However, the region offers much more besides.
Bordeaux - The City
At the heart of the region is the vibrant riverside city of Bordeaux. In recent years the city has undergone something of a transformation and the historic buildings have been cleaned, returning the centre to its former glory. In recognition of this, the centre of Bordeaux has been classified as a UNESCO world heritage site. Works on the dockside, so important in the wine trade in former centuries, have also now been completed and an ultra modern tram system provides an efficient transport network around the city centre. There is also a superb wine museum which is well worth a visit.
Bordeaux - The Wine Region
Outside the city, the premium wine regions spread out in almost all directions. Heading north toward the estuary of the Gironde is the Médoc, home to the most famous Châteaux of Bordeaux including Margaux, Lafite, Latour and Mouton Rothschild. To the east, heading up the Dordogne river is the beautiful historic town of St Emilion (classified as a UNESCO world heritage site) and its vineyards and the equally prestigious appellation of Pomerol. To the south of the city are the vineyards of the Graves and beyond these, the rolling slopes of Sauternes.