Visiting Bordeaux vinyards, where?

[jamiebae]

I'm off to France before Easter and fancy a couple of days in Bordeaux. I'd like to go and do a tasting and tour type thing at a vinyard or two, and ideally be able to buy a few nice, but reasonably priced bottles to take home with me.

So, any suggestions? I'll probably be there Sat 4th to Tues 7th April so it needs to be open then.

[prand]

Paulliac - try the Tourist office on the main road into town to book tours to the big Premier Cru chateau nearby (Latour, lafite & Mouton Rothschild, Maugaux up the road). However the town is incredibly dull and does not reflect the history and reputation that comes from the vineyards surrounding the town. St Emilion is much more like a nice atmospheric wine village with all the narrow medieval streets and wine related shops (now also world Heritage site) you'd expect and you can visit local vineyards direct or book through tourist office.

[wobert]

I've recently have a tasting evening with Chateau Lamothe from Haux in the Bordeaux region - We're planning to visit them in the late summer for another tasting - Ask for Damien, he's your man!

http://www.chateau-lamothe.com/uk/

Edited by wobert on Friday 6th March 13:30

[jamiebae]

Thanks for that guys, any more suggestions? I could do with a nice campsite in the area if anyone knows one too.

[leothetiler]

I have to agree St Emilion is the area to go. Great atmosphere, particularly a little out of season. There is one of the best rated campsites in France about 5 miles away. It is called Petit Palais, and is near the town of Lussac.

Dont expect anything lively though. Right in the middle of the vines, lovely restaurant, and a swimming pool literally to yourselves.

[leothetiler]

I meant to say going back to location. There are far prettier towns near St Emilion, and more to do in St Emilion/Pomerol area, and I am sure more than enough vineyards to visit.

If you want to visit the Medoc to go to Latour etc you will be there in a little over an hour.

[dan101smith]

Don't forget you're also pretty close to Cognac, if that floats your boat - the Martell distillery is a fantastic way to cure a cold.

[jamiebae]

dan101smith said:

Don't forget you're also pretty close to Cognac, if that floats your boat - the Martell distillery is a fantastic way to cure a cold.

I'm more of a Calvados man personally, which is one benefit of having a house in Normandy

[dealmaker]

Looking to do a week there in spring/early summer.

Suprisingly never been wine tasting in France before (not nearly as accessible for us Northerners) - only to USA, Spain, Oz and Italy!

Can you just bowl up to the Chateau's (like Leoville Barton - one of my favourites) and buy a case to bring back with you?? Is it any cheaper than buying here??

I was thinking of taking one of the bigger cars down there so I can bring plenty of cases back - assuming thats worthwhile?

Can anyone recommend any nice Chateau style hotels and really decent restaurants between say St Emilion, Bordeaux, St Julien and Paulliac??

Thanks!

[Derby]

We found a small vineyard and cave in a small town called Limuel at the convergence of the Dordogne and Vezere rivers. Doesn't look much from the outside and had odd opening times but, we got some fantastic table wine.....kinda like the brits wine in a box but much better. We got through a 5l box in a week, and it was gooooooooood. Still have the odd bottle from the same cave but we haven't tried that yet. HTH (BTY why isn't there a similie with a wine glass????)

[Justman]

dealmaker said:

Looking to do a week there in spring/early summer.

Suprisingly never been wine tasting in France before (not nearly as accessible for us Northerners) - only to USA, Spain, Oz and Italy!

Can you just bowl up to the Chateau's (like Leoville Barton - one of my favourites) and buy a case to bring back with you?? Is it any cheaper than buying here??

I was thinking of taking one of the bigger cars down there so I can bring plenty of cases back - assuming thats worthwhile?

Can anyone recommend any nice Chateau style hotels and really decent restaurants between say St Emilion, Bordeaux, St Julien and Paulliac??

Thanks!

I am going with my girlfriend to Bordeaux in July & we are staying here

http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/luxury-hotels/france/...

Really looking forward to it.