Magnificent Bordeaux

This VINfluence tour starts in the beautiful Wine Capital of Bordeaux where we settle in at our favourite boutique hotel and explore the city. A walking tour is a must to get a sense of the history and experience the sheer beauty of the old town. A walk along the river and a visit to the weekend market allows one to savour the sights and flavours Bordeaux is famous for.

Monday we meet with James Sichel at his office on the Quai des Chartrons, the traditional location of Bordeaux’s top wine shippers and négociants (wine merchant or wholesaler). The Sichel family are long time Bordeaux wine merchants and Chateau owners. James will introduce us to the wines of Bordeaux with a casual tasting that will help to set the stage for the week ahead. Afterwards we will enjoy lunch at the world famous L’Entrecôte restaurant. In the afternoon we will head out to visit in the Pessac Leognan. The evening meal will be at the world’s most renowned sweet wine estate, Chateau d'Yquem.

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The villages of the Medoc have long been immortalized - Margaux, Pauillac, St. Julian, St. Estephe. We will visit at least one estate in each village including one of the most famous ‘First Growth’ wineries, Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Walking through the vineyards, chatting with winemakers, and tasting the wines on their own and then with the delicious meals offered at the estates.

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We’ll make a change after 3 nights in Bordeaux, moving to the World UNESCO Heritage village of Saint-Émilion. This is one of France’s most beautiful villages and it is a haven for the wine drinker. Excellent wine bars, wine shops, and restaurants make for lessons in self-control. We will fully immerse ourselves in wine and food! A fun cooking class reminds us that wine is just another food group, meant to enhance the meal and the pure conviviality of every dining experience. To get a better sense of the ‘terroir’ we will spend a day bicycling through the rolling hills, learning to appreciate the subtle changes in altitude and aspect.

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Too soon our bus arrives to return us to Bordeaux and onward to other destinations. Whether leaving by car, train or plane, Bordeaux is a well-connected hub to many other city centres and regions.

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The distances between wineries and the town of Bordeaux will be up to an hour some days.  Our comfortable tour bus will make travel enjoyable. And the surprise quizzes help to pass the time! This will be a 7-day, 6-night experience. Ground transportation, meals, accommodations, special tours, Bicycle rental, cooking class, and wine tours and tastings will be covered.