France: Bordeaux 5 Nights

The Region

The Bordeaux region dates back thousands of years to when Cro-magnom man began to exhibit the French talent for artistic endeavors with the famous cave writings in Lascauz, Perigord. It is also the home as well to France's oldest trading port where wine exports to the British initially began in the 12th century. And thanks to this, the rest of world has come to know Bordeaux as the world's wine capital and for good reason. The region boasts over 12,000 winegrowers and over 50 diverse growing appellations. Over 80% of the wine produced in Bordeaux is red, primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes. The two prevailing red wine-producing sub-regions of Bordeaux are aptly referred to as "Left Bank" and "Right Bank" and offer very different "terroir" characteristics. The Left Bank has soils with higher gravel content that favor Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that age and mature over time and appeal to sophisticated oenophiles. The Right Bank lends itself to soil with more clay, preferring the Merlot grapes, with their early-ripening characteristics and appealing to Bordeaux initiates, as they have lower tannin content and more fruit-forward flavor. The Bordeaux region is also famed for Sauternes, a delightfully sweet white wine that has earned a reputation for being among the world's best dessert wines - think Chateaux d'Yquem!

The Must Sees and Dos

The incredible countryside with some of the world's most famous and best vineyards accented by historical chateaux and quaint villages and architectural masterpieces dating back hundreds of years. Bordeaux was a recent addition to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites which recognizes the beauty and unity of style of Bordeaux's architectural heritage which has remained remarkably well-preserved. Mix this with the contemporary-art museum, brilliantly installed in a 19th-century warehouse and one of the city's truly essential sights and blend with a few days in Paris and you've got the recipe for appreciating the essence of the French sophisticated lifestyle and cultural identity.

Wineries You May Visit

Properties will be a selection of "Classified" growths and small producers. Normally we will include at least one 1st Growth chateau. Choice of chateaux is dependent on time of year and advance booking notice as all visits are requested on an individual basis and chateau schedules can fill well in advance at certain times of the year. Visits are personally selected by Peter Smith, based on his extensive experience in the region, and are often with winemakers who are personal friends of his. Here are a few of those...Mouton Rothschil, Latour, Lafite, Margaux, Lynch-Bages, Pichon Comtesse, Cos d'Estournel, Montrose, Palmer, Leoville, Lascases, Leoville Barton, Ducru Beaucaillou, Maucaillou, Gazin, Beauregard, Figeac, Cheval Blanc, Canon,Troplong Mondot, Canon la Gafelliere, Angelus, Clos Madeleine, d'Yquem, Suduiraut, d'Arches and Guiraud.

Accommodation

Chateau Maucaillou is a working winery, and has 5 guest rooms in one wing of the owner's chateau. The rooms are not air conditioned, but are in a 19th century stone-walled building and there is normally no problem with temperature. Located in Moulis, about 8-10 minutes from the village of Margaux.

Chateau Marojallia is a recently renovated property that is managed by a hotel in the village of Margaux. Rooms are very nicely decorated, and hotel is about 100 yards away.

Chateau Franc-Mayne is a 9 roomed chateau-hotel about 1 km outside of St. Emilion, on a working winery. Rooms are very comfortable; not air-conditioned, but are in an old stone-walled building and there is normally no problem with temperature.

Upgrade Properties

Chateau du Tertre is a beautiful, very exclusive chateau with 5 guest rooms, located in Arsac about 5 minutes from Margaux. Appointments are excellent, and the wine is also superb.

Chateau Grand Barrail is a full-service hotel, converted from a chateau in the vineyards about 2 km outside of St. Emilion. It has a spa, an excellent restaurant and top service.

Inclusions

• 6 days and 5 Nights hotel in shared double/twin room including taxes.
• 5 breakfasts
  
• 1 Lunch at Chateau Maucaillou, including fine wines
• 2 dinners, without wine
• 8 VIP winery visits, including
• All wine tasting fees
• artisan visit - fois gros producer
• For self-drive program: includes rental car or van, maps and detailed driving instructions/tips if you choose this option.
• For private chauffeur program : includes car or van , wine expert driver & guided commentary if you choose this option.
• For days and nights when lunch or dinner is not included, wine world management will provide recommended dining establishments and even make your reservation at no additional charge. (Note: transportation to/from dinner is not included, and will be arranged with local taxis as needed)

Exclusions

Round trip airfare, customs fees, telephone, tips and taxis, alcoholic beverages, wine and dining there not are not specifically included in itinerary and personal items.

Pricing:

All prices shown are per person double occupancy (twin share) and ultimately depend on program chosen, preferred accommodation, number of guests and type/size of rental car if self-drive. Prices that "can be as low as" refer to lowest per person price possible based on a group (3 couples, etc) of six like-minded wine and gourmet dining enthusiasts traveling together.

Self Drive Program priced from $1,949.00 per person double occupancy but can be as low as $1,919.00 based on the number of travelers in your party.

Chauffeur Program priced from $4,629.00 per person double occupancy but can be as low as $2,699.00.

Please Note: For our clients who do not wish to worry about driving and following our spot-on directions, we recommend our private chauffeur-driven and guided version of the same itinerary but with wonderful local knowledge, insider information and "flavour" that only an experienced and friendly French driver / guide can provide. It's truly a great value and a relaxing, fun experience.

Bordeaux Wine World Itinerary

Your Wine World adventure can begin on either a Monday or Tuesday.

Day 1
Morning - Arrive Bordeaux airport or train station and pick up your rental car or drive from Paris with rental car. The rental car offices are just outside the baggage claim, inside the building.

Follow directions supplied to your hotel in the Médoc. Afternoon - free to explore the wine country and orient yourselves for tomorrow's tours.

Dinner - tonight it is in the gourmet restaurant of your hotel, overlooking the Grand Crus vineyards of Margaux.

Day 2
Morning - Today is your day for tasting the wines of the Médoc. We have arranged one visit for you this morning at 10:00, and two more this afternoon at 3:00 and 4:30 PM (times may vary according to specific itinerary).

Lunch is included at Chateau Maucaillou, after your visit to the excellent wine museum and tour and tasting at the winery.

Dinner reservations can be made for you by advance request in any of our recommended restaurants at no extra charge, or you can choose to make your own arrangements.

Day 3
Morning - Your morning tasting today is at 10:00, taking you further up the peninsula so you get a complete view of the Médoc.

Afternoon - We have arranged for one more winery visit this afternoon, leaving the rest of the day free for you to spend as you please - exploring the Médoc or shopping in Pauillac, or perhaps driving across the peninsula to the Atlantic beaches for a swim.

Dinner reservations (and lunch) can be made for you by advance request in any of our recommended restaurants.

Day 4
Morning - Check out of your hotel after breakfast and drive about an hour to Sauternes in the Graves region, south of Bordeaux city. Sauternes is one of the greatest unique wines in the world - Chateau d'Yquem was the only property to be classified Premier Grand Crus Superieur in 1855 (above famous names like Latour and Lafitte) and the sweet white wines of this region are delicious.

We've arranged a tasting of Sauternes at 10:30, then stop for lunch in the village - we recommend "Les Sapriens" (and can reserve for you) where you can choose your whole menu based around Sauternes if you wish, as you sit by the vineyards of Chateau Giraud. Close by is the fascinating Chateau de Roquetaillade, which you may tour if you are interested (driving directions included) or just enjoy driving through the lovely hills of Sauternes.

Afternoon - Follow our detailed driving directions to your next stop in Entre-deux-Mers, where you will learn about one of Bordeaux's prized delicacies, fois gras. On a small family farm you can see some of the best cared-for animals raised anywhere (top quality fois gras comes from stress-free ducks and geese) and enjoy a tasting of several styles of preparation of this delicious treat. Continue from here across the pretty countryside of Entre-deux-Mers to your next hotel in St. Emilion, about 45 minutes away.

Dinner - Dinner reservations (and lunch) can be made for you by advance request in any of our recommended restaurants.

Day 5
Morning - Today is spent tasting the wines of the St. Emilion and Pomerol. We have arranged two visits for you this morning at 09:30 and 11:00.

Afternoon - and then we leave the rest of the day open for you to explore the village, its famous monolithic church and other places of interest (times of visits may vary according to specific itinerary).

Dinner - tonight you'll experience our favorite restaurant in St. Emilion - a tiny place that's always busy with local winemakers, so don't be surprised to see someone you've tasted with earlier!

Day 6
Check out of your hotel after breakfast and continue to the rest of your vacation. If you wish to depart later in the day the hotel staff will be happy to take care of your bags until you are ready to depart.