Jancis in her purple pages, (well worth the subscription) beautifully sums up Bordeauxs peculiar growing season this year. She also comments on the world wide vineyards similarities in this vintage of the master craftsmen.

click here to read the article

Winter is notoriously boring in Bordeaux - so what does one do on the long lonely winter nights? THE DUAD

The Bordeaux University Oenology faculty runs very high-powered, academic courses in both the production and appreciation of wine. So high powered it is, the pass rate is sometimes not even 50%.  This year is our year to participate in this illustrious and infinately famous program.  As most Bordeaux children of famous winery owners do, we have picked up our school bags and hit the chalk board. But what is it all about?

It is an exploration into how our bodies work for starters. We learn first and foremost about our senses:   how the nose works, our sense of smell, our sense of taste and our taste buds.  We have studied colors and  the effect of light, the effect of pollution be it noise or air, how it influences the way we taste, the environement in which we taste, the importance of the glass, the temperature and even our own health and the role it can play in our perception of taste and smell. That was just the first few weeks.

Following the biology lessons came the history of Bordeaux and the evolution of the vine in the world and its importance in our daily lives, commerce, religion and politics.  Then we started with the vineyard, grafting, grape maturity and soil.   Our early lessons concentrated also on the four or is it five tastes: acidity, sweetness, bitterness and saltyness. Did you know there was a fifth? Umami discovered in Japan, its the taste of soy sauce, not exactly salty, not exactly sweet…

We spend most of our tasting sessions sniffing molecules responsable for the smells in wine.  Linalol – rose, geraniol – geranium, citronellol – lemon, Whiskeylactone – coconut, IBMP – green pepper, etc.  We also get to taste wine from time to time. But more about that later.

Eastern Airways has, since September 2010, opened a new flight from Bordeaux to Burgundy, Dijon airport.  Operating two outward bound flights a day, more on Fridays and Sundays, it is a very easy way to explore both France wine tour destinations in one vacation.   Charter flights are availble for up to  29, 37 or 50 people.  Check out their low fares and let us organize your Bordeaux – Burgundy wine tour. Final incentive… assigned seating, free checked bags and they serve tea and coffee on board, what more could you ask for?

Cycling in the Entre deux Mers, CAUDALIE Spa treatments and a dinner at Chateau Coutet in Sauternes. Just a snapshot of what you can experience on one of our custom wine tours.

We’re taking you with us this week on one of our typical wine tours in Bordeaux.

Today we start with Smith Haut Lafitte with it’s own barrel maker. Owner Daniel Cathiard met us during the tasting and took us down into the well hidden secret cellar. (photo)

Next we move on to Chateau Haut Bailly, the only property in Leognan, known primarily for its whites, which produces only red wines.  American owned, this property has one of the best wine gadget shops.  Oh, and the wine is spectacular too! We tasted Chateau La Parde 2007 and Ch. Haut Bailly 2007.  Both stunning.

We break for a refreshing lunch at Les Sources de Caudalie’s relaxed Restaraunt La Table du Lavoir. The food was light and delicious especially the strawberry Mille feuille and chocolate melting cake.

We finish off with Carbonnieux and their beautiful 13th century Perigordian style chateau.

Tomorrow is Bastille Day in St Emilion. Stay tuned.

So far since the beginning of the year Decanter Tours has hosted  over 150 clients on wine tours in Bordeaux. Over 150 people have left Bordeaux more educated on the wines and the properties.  Why dont you join them?  There is still time to organize your Bordeaux holiday for September or even October.

Following is a sample of just one of our Bordeaux wine tours. We can easily adapt this to your schedule and your choice of chateaux.  Contact us for more details.

Wednesday

10:30 am     Meet Mary Dardenne in the Lobby of Cordeillan Bages. Depart for Margaux.

11:00 am      Visit and tasting at Chateau Margaux, Margaux.

12:00            Lunch at Pichon Longueville Baron, Pauillac            

2:00 pm      Visit and tasting at Pichon Longueville Baron Pauillac.

3:30pm        Visit and tasting at Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac.

4:45             Transfer back to Cordeillan Bages.

Thursday

10:00 am      Visit and tasting at la Mission Haut Brion, Pessac.

11:00  am      Transfer to St Emilion and Hostellerie de Plaisance.

12:00  pm       Lunch at L’Envers du Décor, St Emilion

2:30  pm          Visit and Tasting at Chateau Petit Villages, Pomerol.

3:30  pm         Visit and Tasting at Chateau la Conseillante, Pomerol.

4:45  pm         Transfer back to Hostellerie de Plaisance.

Friday

10:30 am       Visit and tasting at Chateau Cheval Blanc, St Emilion.

12:00 pm       Lunch at Clos du Roy, St Emilion

2:00 pm        Visit and tasting at Chateau Figeac, St Emilion.

4:00 pm       Visit and tasting at Chateau Angelus, St Emilion .

Saturday

Morning free to discover St Emilion and its multitude of boutiques.

3:45 pm       Transfer to the Bordeaux airport, Merignac

No better way to discover the Bordeaux vineyards.

There are a thousand ways to discover the vineyards of Bordeaux - gain a new perspective on horseback!

Contact us to visit Bordeaux in a different way.

Visits at Chateau Pape Clement start with the history of the property. Each chateau has a story to tell. Rich in architecture and culture, Bordeaux has so much to offer the wine enthusiast.
American-owned Haut Bailly is an exceptional cru and they have an exciting new project!  They have just hired a new chef and can propose lunches and dinners for small groups.  A rare treat in this area!

Explanation of the grape varieties at Pape Clement

Pape Clement

Opening of the new Wine Gallery in downtown Bordeaux.

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