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Oh Bordeaux! Land of delicious bread, cheeses and…red wine! If you’re looking for a wine vacation destination, Bordeaux has it all, from grand chateaus, through to rolling green countryside and quaint, medieval villages. As for wine, Bordeaux is known for its world-class reds and produces some of the finest and most expensive wines in the world. Here’s the lowdown on a wine vacation in Bordeaux:
Wine Specialities
Bordeaux is known for five specialties of wine: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The most popular wine of the region is known as a Red Bordeaux, which is a red wine blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and the percentages of each depend on each winery. The flavor of the wine is a musky blend of blackcurrant and plum. Red Bordeaux goes really well with lamb, steak and cold meats, such as a charcuterie board.
Top Wineries
There are thousands of vineyards in Bordeaux, so you’ll definitely not be short of choice. Some of the top wineries include Château de Pitray, which has been owned by the same family for 600 years and produces over 200,000 bottles of wine a year, and Château Mouton Rothschild, which ferments the wine in barrels made from oak, giving the wine a unique flavor. If you want to cover a lot of ground, it’s a good idea to hire the car and explore some the different chateaus and their vineyards. You can also base yourself in the countryside, in one of the villages, and ride a bike between some of the vineyards.
Where to stay
We have every type of accommodation you could want, from an elegant room in a Chateau through to a budget hotel. Check out all accommodation options in Bordeaux, France. Some of our top picks include:
Chateau: Why not do a wine vacation in the true French style and stay in a Chateau? This majestic suite, from $125 a night, would make for an incredible wine vacation.
The best vacation rentals for the lowest price
Hotel: Yndo Hotel is a stunning, five-star hotel, set in a 19th-century private mansion. Book a room at the Yndo hotel from $405 a night.
The best vacation rentals for the lowest price
Home rental: This one-bedroom flat in the heart of Bordeaux is a great home rental option. Guests love its central location and chic, ‘Bordelaise style’ interior. Book the one-bed flat from $120 a night.
The best vacation rentals for the lowest price
Where to eat
The city of Bordeaux is packed with top-class restaurants and bistros. Some of our favorite picks in Bordeaux include the Belle Campagne, which serves up seasonal produce and is located in the chic Saint Pierre district and the Le Bouchon Bordelais, which is a delicious and affordable Bistro.
Things to do
The city of Bordeaux is known for its Gothic architecture and excellent art museums, including Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux. Meanwhile, if you fancy some fresh air, the area surrounding the city is known for its rolling green hills and quaint medieval villages, which are best explored by bike. Beautiful villages to explore include Saint Emilion, Larresingle, and Condom — yes that really is the village’s name.