The Terrace in Bordeaux - Apartment to rent in Bordeaux: Bordeaux

The riverside water feature in Bordeaux

For the wine-loving traveller the centre of the universe is the Bordeaux region. Not only is it the area with the world's widest range of wines and the best-known estates, it has a fabulous climate and access to the great beaches of the Atlantic. It is a superb travel destination. From June 26th to 29th 2008 is the next wine expo - The Bordeaux Wine Festival.

The wine-producing region of Bordeaux is France's most extensive, covering 115,000 hectares around the city of Bordeaux. It is responsible for 26% of production in France.

The Bordeaux region is home to the most legendary estates in the world: Château-Margaux, Petrus, Cheval-Blanc, Mouton Rothschild, Yquem, Haut-Brion. However what is less well known is that the area is not just a small number of big names. At present there are 13,000 growers are involved in viticulture, and the average size of a vineyard is 5 hectares.

The Bordeaux region produces an extraordinary variety of wines: reds, dry or sweet whites, rosés, crémants and more.... red wine accounts for 75% of total production. Historically the region has looked carefully to the quality of its wines: the earliest official classification appeared as early as 1855, and it is still in force today with a few adjustments to bring it a little more up to date.

The Wine Faculty in Bordeaux has one of the finest reputations anywhere, and grape varieties from Bordeaux are used to improve the quality of vineyards all over the world.

What is happening now?

If you can't make it to the Wine Festival next year, there is still plenty to engage you.

NOVEMBER 2007

Tasting MEDOC
Every day, at the Tourist & Wine Office, Pauillac. Tasting of various Medoc wines. Fees set according to the wines tasted. (Info: mtvp@wanadoo.fr, 05.56.59.03.08)

Tasting Evening VIGNERONS INDEPENDANTS D’AQUITAINE
November 8, in Artigues-près-Bordeaux (18h45-21h00). Wine tasting evening for everyone, connoisseurs and beginners. (Info: http://www.vigneron-independant-aquitaine.com/)

Wine Show VIGNERONS INDEPENDANTS D’AQUITAINE
November 9-12, in Reims. (Info: http://www.vigneron-independant-aquitaine.com/)

Day in the Vineyard SAUTERNES & BARSAC
November 10-11 (10h00-18h00). (Info: 05.56.76.60.37)

Wine Show VIGNERONS INDEPENDANTS D’AQUITAINE
November 16-19, in Lille. (Info: http://www.vigneron-independant-aquitaine.com/)

Wine Show VIGNERONS INDEPENDANTS D’AQUITAINE
November 22-26, in Paris (Porte de Versailles). (Info: http://www.vigneron-independant-aquitaine.com/)

Day in the Vineyard LOUPIAC
November 24-25. Loupiac Foie Gras Weekend, 11th anniversary of this gourmet combination with estate visits and Saturday evening activities (upon reservation). (Info: loupiac@vins-loupiac.com, 05.56.62.92.22)