The real history of the French pastries. Part one.
7 December 2020
VIP tours to Bordeaux. Best wine tastings in top châteaux of Bordeaux, Médoc and Saint-Emilion.
VIP tours to Bordeaux with Taste & Travel and your private guide will open for you the doors of the top châteaux and exclusive tastings.
The most expensive bottles of wine ever sold at auction were produced in a region that has been growing vineyards since Ancient Rome. Of course, we are referring to the wine producing region of Bordeaux, located on the banks of the rivers Garonne and Dordogne. You can explore the region from this perspective on a wine tour to Medoc and Saint-Emilion.
The local châteaux are not merely beautiful castles, but primarily the grape-growing lands and wineries. The oldest and most respected of them are included in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. This document ranked the wineries by the quality of wine, and listed in the Premier Cru Grand Cru Classé only five Châteaux. They are the producers of red wines whose names are familiar even to people who are far from winemaking:
How to visit the top five of Bordeaux châteaux? Greatest wines of the 1855 classification.
- Château Haut-Brion is a famous estate since the 16th century, whose wines were served at the court of English kings as early as the mid-17th century. Now this witness to Europe’s history belongs to Prince Robert of Luxembourg.
- Château Lafite-Rothschild. The products of Château Lafite were given the title of “King’s Wine” in the 18th century, and the name of the new owner, Baron Rothschild, was added to the name of this winery in the 19th century. The most valuable bottle of wine in history, which was purchased for $160,000, had been produced by this estate.
- Château Latour is famous not only for its premium wine, known since the early 18th century, but also for the 14th-century Tower of Saint-Lambert, which is depicted on its labels.
- Château Margaux is a byword for refinement, elegance and flavour, the vineyard of the eponymous appellation known since the 12th century. Local wine production experienced a new birth at the end of the 20th century, when the new owner, André Mentzelopoulos, transformed the cellars and vineyards.
- Château Mouton-Rothschild — the estate’s wines are famous not only for their elegant taste, but also as a work of art. Since the 1940s, Château owners have been inviting the world’s best artists to design labels.
Is there white wines in Bordeaux? VIP tours in Bordeaux and tastings of white wines.
Although Bordeaux is associated with red wines, local producers of white wine are no less interesting. For example, the only château in the Premier Cru Supérieur category is Château d’Yquem of the Sauternes appellation. The world’s finest sweet white wines are produced here! High humidity in the local vineyards located on the riverbank induces formation of noble rot on the bunches of grapes, which makes the wine acquire a unique flavour.
Saint-Emilion classification and VIP tours to Bordeaux
The 1855 classification includes only the wineries of Médoc, Graves, Sauternes and Barsac (because other communes did not produce wine at that time). Classification of Saint-Émilion suggests a “fresher” classification of châteaux and wines by category. It includes the Right Bank’s appellations, and the most prestigious Premier Grand Cru Classé A wines include:
- Château Cheval Blanc means “White Horse”. The local wine holds medals from the London and Paris World Exhibitions. The winemakers of Cheval Blanc have not been using herbicides to cultivate their grapes.
- Château Pavie is an estate located on the site of former orchards of peaches, where is produced a red wine with bright flavors.
- Château Angélus — the peasants who worked in the local vineyards could hear the bell ringing from three churches at once. That’ s why the château was named Angélus (prayer, devotion). The bell on the label of the local wine recalls the tradition of subjecting the working hours to the ringing of church bells.
- Château Ausone is a unique locality where the Roman poet Ausonius once lived. The small winery produces wines with bright, deep flavour, rich in tannins.
Pomerol VIP tastings in Bordeaux
And we couldn’t avoid mentioning Château Petrus which has never been classified, but which is no less exclusive, located in the Pomerol appellation. The wine produced here proudly bears one word on the label —“Petrus”. Surrounded by a charm of reverence and mystery, Petrus is among the most expensive wines. The price of one bottle ranges from €1000 to €6000 or more depending on the vintage.
Each of the listed Châteaux has its own unique history, architecture and viticulture. You can enjoy a tour of the region’s best wineries with Taste&Travel by booking a VIP wine tour to Bordeaux accompanied by an English-speaking guide. You will be able to get to unique places that are inaccessible to most tourists. You’ll see the luxurious vineyards of the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sémillon and Sauvignon blanc. You’ll visit the legendary cellars and take part in fascinating tastings at the most prestigious châteaux.
Which of the top châteaux can you visit with us?
We will take you on a guided excursion and tasting to the following wineries:
- Château Haut-Brion
- Château Lafite-Rothschild
- Château Latour
- Château Margaux
- Château Mouton Rothschild
- Château d’Yquem
- Château Cheval Blanc
- Château Pavie
- Château Angélus
Do not deny yourself the pleasure of learning the innermost secrets of winemaking in France!
