Château Balestard La Tonnelle
Discover rich, intense and structured wines of Château Balestard La Tonnelle in Bordeaux
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Discover rich, intense and structured wines of Château Balestard La Tonnelle in Bordeaux
Discover the château where the surrender ended the Hundred Years War.
Come and have a look on the new modern wine cellar while tasting wines of Saint Emilion Grand Cru.
Bordeaux wine region is located on the Atlantic coast, on right and left bank of the Gironde Estuary. Benefiting from the location and the climate Bordeaux vineyards here produce exclusive wines. Worldwide recognized for its harmonious, premium quality wines, Bordeaux is a major player in the international wine market. Moreover, the city of Bordeaux is one great wine capitals famous for its historical heritage and outstanding gastronomical scene.
Check out wine tastings & tours in Bordeaux.
Explore Bordeaux wine region with the help of our travel guide:
Bordeaux wines and where to taste them
Culinary specialties of Bordeaux
Garonne and Dordogne Rivers devices Bordeaux Wine Region into two main parts, the Left Bank and the Right Bank, and the territory between two rivers called Entre-Deux-Mers. Bordeaux includes 57 appellations(AOC) and 38 sub-regions, which makes it the largest appellation wine producer in France. The main grape varieties used in the production of world-known Bordeaux wines are Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, often accompanied by Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Bordeaux wines produced of these red varieties are globally recognized as “Bordeaux Blend”. Even though 90% of the wine produced here is red, there as well exists a white Bordeaux blend - its primary grapes are Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Muscadelle is also involved in this blend in some cases.
From chic urban hotels exuding contemporary elegance to rustic châteaux tucked away in the idyllic countryside, Bordeaux offers an array of stays that cater to every discerning traveler's preferences.
Distinguished by its distinctive features and tailored to meet your every need, the Madame Hotel stands as a tranquil sanctuary nestled in the bustling center of Bordeaux.
Located in the heart of Bordeaux, Le Palais Gallien Hotel & Spa immerses you in a sophisticated and polished realm.
The Château Pont Saint-Martin situated at the heart of the Pessac-Léognan Classified Growths. Its immediate neighbors include the distinguished Châteaux Malartic-Lagravière, Fieuzal, and Domaine de Chevalier.
Once the cherished residence of the renowned painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, this 16th-century estate, nestled in South Gironde, serves as an immersive gateway into the captivating realm of Lautrec.
Check out other hotels in Bordeaux Wine Region.
- Visit La Cité du Vin museum to discover the history of the wine civilization
- Discover the Bordelais vineyard participating in the Médoc marathon
- Have lunch with your family in the village of Saint-Emilion
- Wander along the Dune du Pilat the tallest sand dune in Europe
As already mentioned in the intro, Gironde Estuary divided the Bordeaux wine region into right and left banks. This division also defines the style of Bordeaux blends and splits Bordeaux into distinctive territories that are must-visit while you are traveling in the region. The Left bank area includes famous appellations such as Médoc, Graves, Margaux, and Pauillac, where Cabernet Sauvignon is the predominant grape variety whereas on the Right bank you will find Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Libournais, and Bourg and Blaye with the dominance of Merlot.
The right bank of the Bordeaux wine region includes renowned wine appellations such as Pomerol and Saint-Emilion. Wines produced here unlike left banks are more Merlot-based, with Cabernet-Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot used in blending. Bordeaux wines from the right bank are more fruity, lower in acidity, and tannins. Visiting Saint-Emilion is a must for everyone travelling to Bordeaux. Later you will discover what makes this little village so special.
The wines of the Left bank (particularly, Medoc and Graves wine regions) display fruit aromas and flavors of berries as well as dark cherry, vanilla, and coffee beans. The Bordeaux wines here are spicier and have also peppery flavors and bold tannins. The major factors, which influence the characteristics of these wines, are soils and the favorable climate of the territory (clement winter and hot summer). Cabernet Sauvignon is a primary grape in the blend of the Left bank wines. It is also responsible for the powerful characteristics of the wine.
Medoc gathers many renowned appellations as well as Grand Crus - French wine classification level given to the wineries of the most superior grade with the highest excellence Bordeaux vineyards.
Don't miss this lifetime opportunity to visit the most exclusive wine-making Châteaus in Bordeaux! However, keep in mind, that Bordeaux is not only about high-end wine-producing Châteaus. There are around 8000 Châteaus around the region and you can find high-quality Bordeaux wines in every price segment.
Many believe that Bordeaux produces only red wine blends. However, Sauternes, a famous village, situated in the South West of Bordeaux, is known for its high-quality sweet white wines.
Crossed by the Ciron, the vineyard benefits from the combination of heat and humidity, that's why the bacteria Botrytis Cinerea appear. This bacteria allows the development of mushrooms that causes shrivelling grape berries, which results in increased sugar and flavor content and is responsible for the characteristic flavor of Sauternes wines. Sauternes wines shine with desserts as well as it expresses their brilliant character with foie gras.
The grape varieties used in the production of Sauternes wines:
Entre-Deux-Mers means "between two seas/tides" but actually, the territory lies between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers.
Located in the South East of Bordeaux, Entre-Deux-Mers occupies 7000 hectares, which makes it the largest winemaking area of the Bordeaux.
The huge diversity of soils in this wine area allows the production of red and white wine. Here, they produce dry and sweet white Bordeaux wines from Sauvignon and Sémillon grapes. To produce high-quality red Bordeaux wines, wine-growers use the Merlot.
Entre-Deux-Mers wines are well-balanced and crispy with pale golden color. Normally, they are consumed young but they can be aged well thanks to Sauvignon Blanc's potential.
Soil types: sand, clay, grave, clay-limestone.
The most used grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.
Even though Bordeaux is a unique region mainly known for its full-body red wines, the curious wine enthusiasts can find in Bordeaux wines some common aromas with wines from Italian red wine region - Chianti. For example, when harvested early, both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux have strong red currant notes - the same happens with Sangiovese wines from Chianti. Red wine lovers often choose Chianti and Bordeaux as their top priorities for wine tasting and tours.
World's best city to travel to in 2017, according to lonely planet.
Bordeaux's renovation began in the 90' thanks to the current mayor, Alain Juppé. After cleaning facades, reorganizing quays, and the tramway placing, the town transformation was amazing for several years.
Walk along the Garonne on the quays and pass in front of Place de la Bourse and admire its reflection on the Miroir d’Eau. Turn at the Quinconces to stroll in “Triangle d’Or” and admire the Grand Theatre and its architecture (don’t hesitate to go inside).
Next, if you’re a shopping lover, explore Europe's largest pedestrian street: Sainte Catherine Street, where you will discover major Franch chains, design shops, cafes, and restaurants. So, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy your break. Visit the district Saint Michel, where you can take a walk in the alleys of the cosmopolitan district. You will be fascinated by the old architecture of this part of the city and then together with it, you can discover the super modern building of the museum “La Cité du Vin”, must visit place in Bordeaux and perfect for families, couples or friends who want to explore the culture and civilization of wine. You will end up your visit with a glass of wine on the terrace of the museum.
Bordeaux is wealthy for its wine bar culture, stroll around the old part of the city and explore the wine scene, where you will be able to taste not only local but also international wines.
Saint-Emilion is famous for its huge vineyards, the quality of wines, architecture, and cultural heritage. The village hosts thousands of wine enthusiasts every year because of its wines. However, not everybody knows that Saint-Emilion was the first vineyard written on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1999 for having an outstanding universal value. And we don't talk only about Bordeaux wines and vineyards here. The town has incredible architecture and a great history.
Come, discover the largest monolithic church in Europe, the catacombs, Chapel of Trinity! Saunter in the village in a couple, or with your family and friends to discover its amazing landscapes and visit surrounding Bordeaux vineyards!
After exploring the heritage of Saint-Emilion, you can visit wineries in the surroundings of the village!
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Château La Croizille offers a wide diversity of experiences: workshops, wine tasting events, picnics, you can even have accommodation at the winery.
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Visit winery that produces Bordeaux wines for more than 400 years. The 14th generation of Beaulieu family is pleased to welcome you to Château Coutet and share their passion and knowledge of terroir with you.
The town is separated in 4 “towns”, and each “town” name one of the four seasons.
Arcachon was created in 1857 by the imperial decree of Napoléon 3, its renown increased rapidly, and became the town of the four seasons. Indeed, the town is separated into 4 “towns”, and each “town” name one of the four seasons. Explore four seasons of the city and have a diversity of experiences that this oceanside city has to offer.
DON'T forget to visit the tallest Sand dunes in Europe, Dune du Pilat. You will admire incredible views over the ocean and Arcachon forests. It will definitely be the highlight of your holidays!
Discover the finest Bordeaux Wine Tour Guide and embark on unforgettable Guided Wine Tours in the heart of Bordeaux.
Discover Culinary Specialities in Bordeaux. The location as a port and a trading city has affected the peculiarities of its gastronomy. Bordeaux wine region's gastronomical scene is pretty diverse. You will find everything from high-end gourmet restaurants and bistros to wine bars and marketplaces, where you can taste authentic food and products. Here you will find the three most characteristic dishes that represent the region the best.
The old Aquitaine recipe from Middle ages.
Not a pleasant story to be told how they prepare this dish. However, it is considered to be a delicacy in Atlantic coastal areas of France as well as in Spain and Portugal. Between February and March, the fish come back at Gironde and Dordogne confluence to lay their eggs. This is when fishermen catch Lamprey, which is the only fish to bleed alive.
the preparation of the dish starts with extracting blood from the fish, which is later mixed with red wine to prepare the sauce. Then, Lamprey is cooked with leeks and added the sauce. You can serve it with garlic croutons, fresh pasta or boiled potatoes.
Caviar d’Aquitaine is one of the most famous caviar in the world and part of the Aquitaine gastronomy. The Caviar comes from sturgeons raised in high-quality rivers and ponds. That’s why the Caviar d’Aquitaine is recognized by Michelin-starred chefs.
The best way to taste Caviar is to eat it alone to don’t change its amazing flavour. Avoid taking the Caviar with silver or stainless steel spoon to don’t oxidize it.
Taste it with dry white wine, brut or extra brut champagne, or fresh vodka!
First, the aim of this recipe was to conserve the meat and protect it from the air thanks to the grease. Then, it became a real traditional recipe from the south-west of France.
After choosing Landes's duck, put the wings and thighs aside as well as the grease.
During 24 hours, the duck is covered with salt to dry up it before to be cooked. The meat is cooked for 2 hours in order to be tender. It can be tasted directly or it can be kept in its grease and to eat later.
The canelé is a vanilla and rum-flavored delicious little cake with a tender heart and crispy, caramelized crust. The Canelé's origins are still uncertain but the legend says it was invented by nuns of the Annonciades' convent. Yet, during the last archaeological digs, any cakes pans weren't found.
This pastry disappeared during several decades to come back in force during the '20s. There is some trouble with the cake's name: how many "n" need the word? The answer: only one since 1985 with the creation of canelé's association.
Q: For Bordeaux, what is the very best with this wine region compared to other regions in France?
A: Many factors make Bordeaux unique. You can fly directly from many destinations and land close to the city center and vineyards. There are numerous water activities available: cruises, bars, restaurants, clubs, and activities like "yoga boats". You can also try beach walks, surfing, sunsets, and amazing oysters!
Bordeaux has a very unique and specific way of trading wine, which makes it traditional and modern at the same time. While Bordeaux is famous for its unique red wines, there is a great diversity of light and easy-drinking whites as well. For example, Entre-Deux-Mers, more structured and serious whites from Pessac-Leognan, soft and juicy Merlot-based reds from the right bank, fuller-bodied with long-term potential from the Medoc, and elegant dessert wines from Sauternes and Barsac.
Q: If you visit Bordeaux for the very first time, which grape variety should you try first?
A: I guess it will depend on the season, and of course, famous blends from the region. In summer, I would go for Sauvignon-Blanc-based wine. In winter, I would focus more on the Cabernet-Sauvignon-based blend.
Q: Is there any particular food dish that you have to try when you stay in Bordeaux?
A: The most obvious choice would be Steak and chips. It sounds simple, but restaurants are focusing on high-quality meat that is perfect for the wines of the region. The Les lamproies à la bordelaise, a fish from the Gironde, an old recipe cooked for centuries. The lamprey is cooked in a red wine sauce and cut into pieces. Canelé, a small cake from Bordeaux and part of Aquitaine’s culinary heritage. Caramelized color and a soft heart, scented with vanilla and rum.
Would you like to read a bit more about Bordeaux wine and food? Have a look also at our blog post about Bordeaux food and wine experiences!
Where to eat in Bordeaux?
L'entre deux verres
La Table de Pavie
Recommended by Château de Pressac
Osteria Le Panzanelle
Recommended by Château Les Remparts
Where to stay in Bordeaux?
Château Hotel Grand Barrail
Chateau du Palanquey & Spa
Rodin in Bazas
What are the best wine bars in Bordeaux?
Vins Urbains
Chai Pascal
La Barrique
What to do in Bordeaux?
Visit the Historic Monuments in Saint Emilion
Tour at Roquetaillade Castle
Visit the charming town of Cadillac
Check out our local wine tour guides with their wine tour offers to have everything organized when visiting the Bordeaux wine region.
Displaying 1-10 of 10 local wine guides
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