We are quite selective in the regions we choose to add to our food, wine and beer tour schedule. We like to focus on desirable culinary destinations where we can provide our travelers with remarkable experiences.
With that in mind, we are very excited to announce our newest food and wine tour to iconic Bordeaux, France. There are so many reasons to explore this incredible city and region including the history, cuisine, and of course, wine of Bordeaux.
The Wine of Bordeaux
The term Bordeaux refers to blended wine from Bordeaux, France. The region is home to some of the very first Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines – which makes sense as 90% of Bordeaux red wines contain Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The other red varietals include Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. There are Bordeaux white wines as well, typically a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Muscadelle. On this tour, we’ll have the chance to compare and contrast not only red and white Bordeaux wines but wine from the Left and Right Banks.
The Food of Bordeaux
You may come for the wine of Bordeaux but you’ll stay for the food! Bordeaux is known for its elaborate and elegant cuisine and was even recently ranked as France’s top food city (beating out Paris!) by a survey conducted by French food website, Atabula. You’ll find dishes focused on local and seasonal ingredients such as duck confit, foie gras, oysters, caviar d’Aquitaine, mushrooms and asparagus. It is also home to multiple two- and one-star Michelin restaurants. We have many exciting food experiences built into our 6-day tour, including dining at a cheese lover’s paradise, eating oysters in the oyster capital of France, and treating ourselves to chocolate from one of Bordeaux’s delectable chocolatiers.
The History of Bordeaux
Bordeaux has a rich and extensive history with remnants of the first settlement tracking back to 3rd Century BC. This beautiful city has played an important role throughout history as it is strategically placed at a crossroads between the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Iberian Peninsula. It has been under the rule of Celtic tribes, the Roman Empire, the British, and the French.
The wine of Bordeaux can be traced back to almost 2,000 years ago when the first vines were planted during Roman Times. The wine from the region remained a local product until the 12th century when Eleanor of Aquitaine began exporting the precious liquid when she married Henry Plantagenet (Henry the 11th) of England. On this tour, you’ll have a chance to explore several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Romanesque architecture and ruins of Saint-Emilion. You’ll also take a deep dive into the history of the wine of Bordeaux when visiting the interactive wine museum, La Cité du Vin, on our last day of the trip.
