BORDEAUX - THE WINE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
At the confluence of the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers, at the Château de Reignac located in the Bordeaux region of France in the ancient pigeon house from the XVI century is where the legendary french reds are pouring into the glasses. Only a few swirls, a breath in deep and you can start pampering your taste buds with the exquisite taste of the quintessence of the Bordeaux region.
The wine tasting tours that is available with many local tour operators (e.g. Bordeaux Wine Trails) but you can also self-arrange a visit in one of the Bordeaux Château (prior reservation required). This is a recipe for a perfect little adventure in the wine capital of the world.
one of THE BEST CHATEAU TO VISIT IN BORDEAUX:
The wine has been produced in Bordeaux since the first century since the Roman arrived and now is a home to the most world-renowned and considered one of the best wines in the world. Would you be able to say “No” to the glass of Petrus Pomerol? (a bottle is worth approx. 3251 USD).
Pss. Grand Vin de Reignac 2001 won the second place in the blind testing (selected by the Grand European Jury) - Price for a bottle is approx. 60 USD. You can be overwhelmed by a wild choice of wines that Bordeaux has to offer but you do not need to splurge to enjoy the exquisite taste of the local wine.
saint emilion - the most famous village in bordeaux
In the heart of the famous Bordeaux wine arae, there is a little charming medieval town filled with wine shops (There are approx. 70 wine shops and 270 houses in Saint Emilion - That is quite an interesting ratio, don’t you think?). The legend says the town was founded by a monk from Brittany named Emilion who sought refuge in a cave in a place called Ascum Bas in the 8 century. The town is famous for the quality of its wines but also for its unique architecture.
The Monolithic church is one of the town’s main tourist attractions.
Collegiate church and its cloister
The Tour du Roy (King’s Keep) - It is used today by the wine ambassadors who gather at the top of the tower to proclaim judgement and herald the start of the wine harvest. From the top you can admire a magnificent view over the town and the surrounding countryside. It is definitely worth a short climb.
Cordeliers cloister - The cloister was built in the 14th century but in the late 19th-century the new owners decided to convert the extensive underground spaces into wineries and bottle cellars. Magical spot to enjoy a glass of local sparkling wine, crémant.
Steep streets or Tertres
THE ALTERNATIVE SPACE IN BORDEAUX - LE HANGAR DARWIN
Imagine a place combining a XXL skatepark where riders of all ages gather to enjoy their passion, a great bookshop next to an exquisite Le Magasin Général restaurant that brews its own organic beer & an organic grocery, free expression spaces for graffiti artists, a nautical club, an urban garden, a wellness centre, a green economy hub and all that in the former military barracks on Bordeaux’s right bank.
Darwin is a mini- eco-world full of cultural, artistic, architectural and social events and urban culture. Pop into when you are in town.
WHAT TO DO & SEE IN BORDEAUX?
1. La Cité du Vin is an interactive extraordinary museum od wine.
2. Place de la Bourse is one of the most beautiful monuments in the whole city, a true example of breathtaking architecture.
3. Miroir d’Eau - Just opposite the Place de la Bourse there is unforgettable reflecting pool which are immensely popular among the locals Bordelais and tourists (one of my favourite spots in Bordeaux). This is the world’s largest reflecting pool in the world and it has jut 2 cm deep. The water periodically recedes underground and returns . You can actually walk over it.
4. Le Hangar Darwin
5. Marché des Capucins aka the “belly of Bordeaux” - a legendary covered food market. Great spot for lunch. Devour a plate of fresh oysters accompanied by a glass of white wine.
6. Taste the Exquisite French Cuisine and Wine- Sample the delights of the region. To avoid disappointment make a reservation in advance. Loads of restaurants in Bordeaux are fully booked on the weekends:
Pss. When in Bordeaux do not forget to try canelé de Bordeaux - small pastry flavored with rum and vanilla enclosed by a thin carmelized shell. Mniam.
