Step into the shoes of a true cellar master as you find out all about cognac and the extraordinary know-how that lies behind it.

Maison Martell — whose rich history stretches back over three centuries, making it the oldest of all the cognac houses — invites you to pass through the gates of its landmark site. Come and discover the secrets of cognac in the Maison’s cellars, surrounded by rows of barrels, and enjoy a unique experience as you step into the Chai Création, which is usually closed to the public.

 

Amidst the prestigious eaux de vie that are stored here, you can bottle one of the Maison’s cognacs yourself, before taking a tasting and learning about the flavours of this famous amber drink.

Champagne is a region that sparkles in more ways than one and still has some fascinating surprises in store. As you’ll find when you sample these tasty – and exciting – experiences!

Twenty desks, a blackboard, and some white chalk: at first glance you might think you’d travelled back in time to a pre-war school... But on these school desks, ink and fountain pens have been replaced with champagne glasses.

 

And with good reason: welcome to the Champagne School, the perfect spot for anyone with a thirst for wine knowledge! For two hours, an instructor will teach you all about vine cultivation and champagne production. The theoretical training is backed up with a hands-on workshop among the vines. At the end, a short written test will enable you to validate your knowledge of sparkling wine, and all in a fun and entertaining way.

A stone’s throw from this champagne school, the Cave aux Coquillages (Seashell Cave) offers a visit that is both instructive and original. This exceptional location combines oenology and geology: the estate’s vines actually sit on top of an ancient tropical sea, the remains of which are 45 million-year-old fossilized shells. As you visit the galleries you will be able to admire the best preserved specimens, including a giant gastropod that is over 60cm long. A tasting of Legrand-Latour champagne is an unexpected sensory experience, and provides a better understanding of how Champagne’s sub-soil influences the region’s wine production.

An even more original venue can be found in Romery, where you’ll meet Vincent Gobert and discover his production secrets. Because when it comes to champagne, this passionate producer is certainly not short of bottle – as you’ll soon find out! Vincent will greet you in his museum and tasting centre inside a giant steel bottle, 12 metres high! This vantage point, built by the man himself, offers an unparalelled view of the entire vineyard and is a popular with visitors.

*Experience Champagne School certified Jeunes Talents du Tourisme

*Experience Giant Steel Bottle certified Jeunes Talents du Tourisme & Jeunes Talents du Champagne

The Cordeillan-Bages restaurant – member of the “Grandes Tables du Monde” – takes you on a gastronomic journey of wine and innovative haute cuisine curated by its new Executive Chef, and lover of terroir, Julien Lefebvre.

Executive Chef at Château Cordeillan-Bages since April 2017, Julien Lefebvre is no stranger to hard work: the 35-year-old gourmet from Normandy also handles catering for the group Famille JM Cazes. The owners were instantly won over by his bold dishes made from tasty local ingredients.

He is passionate about French cuisine and enjoys embellishing his dishes by producing plates that are genuine works of modern art.

After working with Mathieu Pacaud at the Parisian restaurants Hexagone, Histoires and Le Divellec, Julien Lefebvre came to sample a slice of Bordeaux life, taking over the reins from two of the great names in French cuisine: Thierry Marx and Jean-Luc Rocha.

This passionate chef is a maestro at flavour pairings and takes pride in serving local terroir produce that he selects himself after meeting local producers. His hallmark: a respect for produce and a love of fish and seasonal vegetables...

“I like to promote the work of producers and act as a link between the product and our guests. ”

While all his food reflects the Médoc way of life, “Shellfish” are his true signature dish.

Visit the restaurant before mid-November to sample Chef Julien Lefebvre’s new menu.

Arnaud Le Saux, the discerning Head Sommelier at Cordeillan-Bages, reveals his wine pairings and discoveries... A journey through the world of classic, and unexpected, food and wine pairings

A native of Nantes, Arnaud Le Saux first discovered the world of wine during his studies at catering college. “I knew nothing about wine. I took a one-year vocational diploma, visited different places, met various people, and never looked back”. After these early days in France, followed by time in England and the United States, Arnaud Le Saux arrived at Château Cordeillan-Bages to take up the post of Head Sommelier in 2013.

He compiled his wine list for guests who come to explore the Bordeaux wine region. It contains over 1,500 different wines, from Bordeaux Grands Crus to an outstanding selection of wines from other regions, plus a special section for Champagne and Burgundy. “I adapt to suit different tastes but always include a selection of bottles that I’m keen want to share with others. ”

For this wine lover, a good wine is “a wine you want to drink again, as soon as you’ve finished your glass”; a great wine, is “one that delivers a particular emotion and makes a lasting impression”.

 

Attentive, always ready to explain wine in simple terms and talk to winemakers, who he meets on a regular basis, Arnaud Le Saux also creates food and wine pairings in perfect harmony with Chef Julien Lefebvre: “A good food and wine pairing is a question of balance. The wine shouldn’t alter the dish, and neither wine nor dish should overwhelm one another. ”

Wine lovers and professionals who would like to extend the experience can pick from one of the 1.5 hour tasting sessions organised by the Cercle Lynch-Bages: discovering the Médoc, the art of blending, great terroirs of Bordeaux, food and wine pairing, and more.

Or why not put yourself in the winemaker’s shoes and attend the VINIV workshop? You’ll get the chance to visit some of Bordeaux’s finest vineyards and produce your own wine from start to finish!

The vineyards of Bordeaux boast no fewer than six wine routes and almost as many different ways of visiting them, including by bike, motorbike or helicopter… Here’s a little look at how you can make your way around.

Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or only get out once in a while, a bike ride through the vineyards of Bordeaux is an unmissable experience — and for good reason: some of the routes have become absolute musts, including the highly popular Roger Lapébie Trail, a 57-kilometre ride through open countryside, or a trip through the vineyards of Saint-Émilion. And don’t forget the many estates and châteaux that will tempt you to pedal along country trails and through fields of vines — some of these establishments have even become cycling “ambassadors”.

And did you know that you can now take the controls of another type of handlebar as you explore Bordeaux’s wine trails by motorbike? There are a number of packages for hiring two-wheels (including Harley-Davidsons) and arranging your road trip for a day or more. Or, if you’d prefer to take a (comfy) back seat rather than a plain saddle or sidecar, why not take a trip in a London taxi? A knowledgeable driver will escort and guide you through the vineyards, where you can enjoy a novel on-the-go wine tasting. Or perhaps you’d rather drive a hire car yourself? Take the wheel of one of the electric vehicles that are ready and waiting to help you discover the vineyards of Margaux and the legendary châteaux of the Médoc.

If you’re after something even more original, then treat yourself to a visit to a vineyard from the heavens! Thrill-seekers can fly over the vineyards of Bordeaux all the way to Arcachon Bay by helicopter. Or why not pilot the machine yourself on an introductory flight? Or do you fancy a different type of aircraft? No problem! Enjoy your first trip in a microlight, taking off in Libourne and flying over the Saint-Émilion wine-growing region, a classified World Heritage site. Last but not least, there’s all the charm of a trip in a balloon with the promise of an unforgettable experience as you spend three or four hours flying above the most beautiful châteaux in Bordeaux, a sense of serenity and the good life your only guides.

In short, whether you go by road or through the skies, you’re sure to find an itinerary that will delight you on one of Bordeaux’s wine-themed tours which, we guarantee, will be one-of-a-kind!

The wine harvest is a sacred moment in the vineyard, and a special time that some winemakers are more than happy to share. Discover all the stages in the winemaking process, from vine branch to balloon glass.

Whether it was at the foot of Mount Olympus or in the temples of Rome, the wine harvest was considered a special event as far back as antiquity: as seen in the large events they organised at this time of year, and the intense devotion given to the many vine gods for the occasion. While mythological beliefs may have vanished long ago, our traditions retain a link to these mystical times: although grape picking is seen as hard work, for the winemakers the wine harvest is a time of joy and satisfaction, as it marks the culmination of many months spent tending the vine.

No need to pay homage to Bacchus or Dionysus if you want to celebrate this special moment in your own way: simply opt for an excursion to a wine estate and slip into a winemaker’s shoes for a day. The few weeks of harvest are a crucial stage in developing the future wine, so it’s the perfect time to discover what this role entails and learn their tricks of the trade. Each year, Bordeaux Tourist Office, in partnership with the Pays de Haute-Gironde region, organises “wine harvest days”, part of the Bourg and Blaye Route des Vins. On two dates in September, be both a spectator and active participant, at this once-in-a-year event.

The day includes a range of activities with an educational focus, from an introduction to the wine harvest and working the vine, a wine tasting, visit to the wine cellar, and lunch with the winemaker.

You’ll discover the different stages involved, from grape picking to putting the grapes in the tank, and fermentation, and gain a better understanding of the techniques involved, such as pressing, devatting and pumping over. Thanks to your newly acquired expertise, your tastings sessions will take on a new dimension: in future, wine will surpass the nectar of the gods of Mount Olympus after this fascinating trip!

Travel by car to France with P&O Ferries and explore its vineyards at your own pace! On this tailor-made road trip, discover the highlights of one of France's most famous wine regions: Champagne.

There's no better way to learn about some of France's famous wines than by exploring one of its wine regions at your own pace. And with P&O Ferries you can do just that on a 3-day short break in the home of Champagne!

Your trip begins with a short 90-minute crossing from Dover to Calais. From there it's just a leisurely drive south-east to the capital of the Champagne region, Reims, arriving in time for a spot of lunch at one of its many bistros. And your first glass of champagne, of course! 

After checking into your hotel, it's time to find out more what makes this precious wine so unique. And a visit to world-famous Maison Mumm will do the trick! Here you'll learn about the champagne making process, discover one the world's finest champagne museums and taste some of their exceptional products.

Round off day one with a visit to the beautiful art deco Café du Palais restaurant. The perfect spot to sample one of Champagne's little known, but delicious, Coteaux Champenois still wines.

Next day, make the most of the freedom that your car brings by driving into the stunning Montagne de Reims national park. Enjoy the rolling hillsides covered in vines and head to the charming village of Hautvilliers, where you'll find the grave of that famous champagne-making monk Dom Perignon.

While the Champagne region has some famous brands, there are actually more than 15,000 growers in total. Just outside Hautvilliers you'll find Champagne Tribaut, a small producer with some outstanding and well-priced white and rosé champagnes. You can also sample Ratafia, the local aperitif.

And the beauty of a P&O Ferries road trip is that you can take a bottle, or case, back home with you in the boot of your car!

Before leaving Reims the next day, pop into its stunning cathedral. Then it's time to bid au revoir to this stunning region, but having learned about the production method, and with a case of champagne in your car, memories of this holiday will live on for quite some time!

The vineyards of Bordeaux are prized the world over and need no introduction… but the region is never short of surprises, too, with a wide choice of unusual tourist activities devoted to wine.

Have you already heard about Bordeaux’s Urban Wine Trail? Even the name, you have to admit, is pretty intriguing. What kind of marathon is it? A hike around Bordeaux’s vineyards? A race across the six wine routes that stretch across the region? Nothing of the sort! Quite simply, it’s a city-based tour of Bordeaux’s wine bars! It’s a novel, 100% urban tour designed to delight wine-lovers eager to get off the beaten track…

The itinerary, which is based on an assortment of twenty wine bars, will take you to the four corners of the capital of the Gironde region. Download a detailed map of the trail from the application or website before heading off into the streets of Bordeaux and enjoying a stroll around the different neighbourhoods — stopping off at one of the partner bars, some of which boast the special Vignobles & Découvertes label.

The trail is full of small, intimate and cosy bars not to mention more sophisticated establishments blessed with large terraces — in short, every kind of atmosphere and style you could dream of. And you can taste a selection of the region’s finest wines along the itinerary, not forgetting the à la carte menu offered by participating bars, where you can savour a food and wine pairing specially prepared by each establishment: a foodie way to highlight the region’s grape-based products by combining them with local culinary delicacies.

Why not meet at the Métropolitain, for instance, where you can enjoy a blind tasting? Or at the Point Rouge, which has a selection of over 1,000 wines accompanied by tapas?

Though the Urban Wine Trail might be less conventional and picturesque than a guided tour of a vineyard, it does offer a rich and highly diverse wine experience. It’s a one-of-a-kind excursion — which you can follow on foot, by bike or on the tram — for exploring the town of Bordeaux, its architecture and the richness of its terroir.

Here is a list of wine bars in Bordeaux:

• Le Bar à Vin du CIVB

• Max Bordeaux/ Wine gallery & Cellar

• Le Flacon

• Le Wine Bar du Boutique Hôtel

• Chez le pépère

• Aux 4 coins du vin

• Le Wine Bar

• Vins Urbains 

• L'Oenolimit

• La ligne Rouge

• La Talenquère

• Le Milésime

• Le Point Rouge

• Le Métropolitain

• The Warehouse

• Wine Lounge

• Au Bon Jaja

• Secret d'Initiés

• Le bar à vins du Château Pape Clément

Discover this former 19th century hunting lodge with its huge parkland, situated in Onzain (between Blois and Tours), only two hours from Paris.

The Virginia creeper that covers the façade of the Domaine des Hauts de Loire gives the building the familiar feel of a holiday home in the country, the kind of second house where it’s a pleasure to come and recharge your batteries for the weekend.

And there’s no doubting that the venue’s quiet charm contributes greatly to making the Domaine des Hauts de Loire seem like a “patch of paradise” nestling in a green oasis.

This magnificent hunting lodge was built in 1860 on the Val de Loire Wine Route, in the heart of a region famous for its châteaux. The Domaine is surrounded by a 70-hectare park where the ponds — which are home to many birds — lie hidden in the green and fragrant woods.

Whether you’re on foot or on a bike, it is highly agreeable to follow the paths that cross the forest. In the shade of the trees, several benches invite you to rest awhile as you admire the beauty of the landscape and the spectacle offered up by nature.

More adventurous visitors might make their way to one of the three ponds, tempted by a spot of fishing alongside the black swans, guardians of the water.

For those interested in something more unusual, a visit to the Domaine Lamé Deslile Boucard, a Bourgueuil vineyard, is a must: here you can explore the highly original way in which the winemaker maintains his vines under the banner of eco-responsibility, using poultry to weed the land in complete freedom!

After a walk like that, it’s time for a tour devoted to fine cuisine! And the surrounding vineyards offer a number of different guided visits and tastings where you can discover the region’s best wines.

 

At the Domaine, the starred-chef’s table serves up the delights of Loire cuisine with a fresh twist and enhanced by a range of excellent wines, including the great whites of the Loire: Vouvray, Montlouis and Touraine.

And, if you like, you can even take a class with the chef and enjoy the fresh produce from the vegetable garden.

The comfortable rooms and peaceful, sunny terrace overlooking the plain and surrounding woods add the finishing touches to a moment of perfect relaxation, all offered by the Domaine des Hauts de Loire.

Nature lovers and anyone who appreciates the good life will undoubtedly be seduced by the attractions of this exceptional venue, a haven of peace where harmony and well-being are the order of the day.