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!

The Bordeaux vineyard has a rich 2,000-year history and has always successfully combined tradition with innovation. This can be clearly seen in its landscape, where the acres of vines and iconic châteaux sit alongside masterpieces of modern architecture.

From modest vine huts to wine storerooms, cellars and the most prestigious châteaux, over the centuries viticulture has helped to shape a truly unique architectural heritage. The Bordeaux wine region has undergone an architectural revival in recent years, with numerous examples of modern architecture appearing on wine estates, ushering in a new golden age in the wine industry.

At the foot of the Crussol Massif, a listed Natura 2000 protected site, the vines of the three prestigious Cornas, Saint Péray and Saint Joseph appellations stretch out alongside the twists and turns of the Rhône.

The Vienne tourism pavilion – has become the unmissable gateway to the vineyards of the Rhone Valley since 2015. Situated just outside Lyon, the pavillon showcases the region’s wine and gastronomy.

When people talk about Avignon, you immediately think of the Palace of the Popes!, the famous bridge spanning the Rhône and the celebrated festival – but we shouldn’t forget that Avignon is also a mecca for wine growing.

Avignon is a real gateway to the Côtes du Rhône vineyards, and plays host to  numerous AOC-themed activities throughout the year.

The programme of festive, cultural and fun activities – always a foodie’s delight – encourages tourists and locals alike to get acquainted with the region’s wines and meet the winemakers who produce them.

Let yourself be charmed by Avignon, its history and vineyards. You’ll undoubtedly return home from your stay in the capital of the Côtes du Rhône “as happy as a pope”, as the French like to say!

Located to the north of the Rhone Valley, Ardèche Hermitage is distinguished by its rich heritage, bountiful countryside and charming, enchanting vineyards.

The three local AOCs – Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Saint Joseph – are grown on the terraced slopes that shape the region’s landscape. And these reds and whites go wonderfully with the local specialties: truffle, cheese, chocolate...

As well as being a region full of flavour, the vineyards here are also a land of adventure! On foot, by bike, in a rosalie (a kind of quadricycle) or even on a small train, you can head off to meet the winemakers who organise tastings on many of the local estates and cellars.

The region really does have everything to make your mouth water!

Located in the heart of the Luberon Nature Reserve, and in stunning countryside overlooking the valley, the Le Phébus & Spa hotel is home to a charming gourmet restaurant that will delight those with a passion for fine dining.

Luxurious, peaceful, sensual. Three words that perfectly describe the spirit and charm of this high-end establishment. Housed within a dry-stone farmhouse built on ruins that date back to the Knights of the Order of Malta, Le Phébus & Spa has around 30 elegant suites for you to relax in, a well-being centre to recharge your batteries and a Michelin-starred restaurant that will delight your taste buds.

In the restaurant’s light and airy dining area, with its large rooms and extensive terrace, a talented duo provide diners with a delightfully refined gourmet experience.

Over in the kitchen, Michelin-starred chef Xavier Mathieu is in the driving seat. A native of Provence, he draws inspiration from the traditional recipes of his home region. Following the seasons, he reinterprets typical dishes with creativity and finesse, creating subtle yet bold plates that are filled with colour. An example of this is his soupe au pistou: a real highlight!

In the cellar, Romain Marlet applies his expertise and sophisticated palate to further enhance the menu’s dishes. To strike the right balance between dishes and wines and find the perfect match, he serves regional wines alongside regional dishes.

Each wine is carefully selected to enhance the menu’s iconic dishes.

High-quality wines from the finest appellations find their way to the table: on the sommelier’s suggestion, the famous soupe au pistou is served with a Ventoux du Domaine de Tara AOP. The aromas of a Ventoux du Domaine du Chêne Bleu AOC embellish the lamb baked in sandy garrigue, and a Muscat de Beaume de Venise du Domaine des Bernardins AOC brings its freshness to the succulent crispy fennel with soured milk.

Many of the wines served in the restaurant are produced in neighbouring wine estates. Adventurous wine lovers can set off by bike along Luberon’s roads to meet winemakers, with a gourmet picnic prepared by the chef in their bike basket.

Foodies, prepare yourselves for pure pleasure!

The vineyards of the Loire Valley, well-known for the quality of their welcome, owe their success to the endeavours of the men and women who make them come live! Five key players in the sector have been recognised at the first Bacchus of Wine Tourism awards.

The winning entries include experiences that will satisfy everyone’s thirst for discovery!

Would you like a little adventure? Then the escape room at Domaine Couly in Chinon or the excursions through the vineyards of Touraine with Val de Loire Travel are just the thing for you.

Feel like some good food? The food and wine pairings at Auberge des Isles in Montreuil-Bellay and the Muscadétours tastings are waiting for you.

Looking for a thrill? Then stand back in amazment at the jury’s top pick: a night in a barrel and a winemaker's picnic at Domaine de Montcy in Cheverny.

And if you’re feeling even more curious, the Loire Valley Wine Routes are a great choice with a wide range of activities. Time to get your road book out!