Bordeaux’s wine region is must-visit destination for any wine tourist, and is packed with restaurants offering high-quality cuisine. Here is a selection of gourmet experiences that showcase the best of Nouvelle-Aquitaine’s cuisine and winemaking heritage.
Wherever there’s fine wine there’s also fine dining, and this may apply to the Bordeaux region more than anywhere else.
From restaurants in châteaux to picnics on wine estates, wine and food experiences can be found in all four corners of this wine region. There’s something for everyone, whatever your budget!
In Graves and Sauternes, nestled beneath a conservatory amidst the vines at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Michelin-starred restaurant Lalique offers a moment of pure gourmet delight for sophisticated palates. The chef’s high-quality cuisine brings out the best in regional dishes and is accompanied by a varied wine list that showcases the very best that Sauternes has to offer.
In the Médoc, bistronomy reigns supreme at Café Lavinal. Dishes that celebrate the local terroir are served in a setting that evokes the feel of a 1930’s brasserie, with the rich cuisine enhanced by a wide selection of regional wines.
Aside from restaurants, a wide variety of options exist for fans of gourmet dining. Cheese is the king of food and wine pairings and is the star turn at Bordeaux-based Baud et Millet. With 110 different varieties in its cheese room, and an equally well-stocked wine cellar, this establishment makes the perfect spot for an aperitif or meal with friends.
A warm and friendly atmosphere is often the key to success, and each summer Clos de l’Échauguette in Blaye and Bourg hosts just such an event: a large festive banquet amongst the vines. Over the course of an evening, winemakers, wine fans and foodies gather for a meal in the Citadelle de Blaye. Along the same lines, Château de Boutinet, near Saint-Émilion, organises tapas-walks that combine a stroll through the vineyard with a copious buffet.
In Entre-deux-Mers, sharing is about transferring skills, with thematic cookery courses held in the appellation’s châteaux that focus on specialities from different countries and are paired with local wines, all organised by Cadillac’s Maison des Vins. The perfect opportunity to take your palate on a journey of discovery and explore a variety of taste sensations.
Bordeaux’s wine region has a reputation for high-quality cuisine and wine, and an ever-expanding range of options to choose from. From its food to its wine, there’s plenty for gourmets to enjoy!
