As you can imagine, wine tasting is one of the best attractions the Bordeaux wine region has to offer. In Bordeaux, you don’t really have to leave the city in order to taste some of the best wines in the world. There are quite a few places in the city center where you can enjoy a variety of wine-tasting experiences.
In this article, I gathered a list of the wine bars, boutiques, and guides that offer the best wine tastings in Bordeaux. So if you don’t have time to visit wineries or you just want to taste many different wines in one place, this article is for you!
If you want to visit a winery in Bordeaux and do your wine tasting there, I highly recommend Chateau Pope Clement. The winery is located in Pessac, one of Bordeaux’s suburbs, and is reachable by public transport.
If you’re looking for more information on visiting wineries in the Bordeaux wine region, I’ve written extensively about my favorite chateaux to visit.
See other wine-related articles here:
Best wineries to visit in Saint Emilion
A guide to the Bordeaux wine region
The best wine tours from Bordeaux
A day trip to Saint Emilion
How to visit wineries in the Bordeaux wine region without a car
A weekend in the Medoc wine region
Best wineries to visit in Sauternes
Best wineries in Bordeaux to visit with kids
Now let’s dive into wine tasting in Bordeaux!
Wine-tasting workshops in Bordeaux
Wine Tasting Experience in Bordeaux with Snacks – by Olala
Olala is a wine tour company that offers private and group tours to Saint Emilion and Medoc. Additionally, the company also hosts great wine-tasting workshops in Bordeaux to help you learn about Bordeaux wine without ever leaving the city.
This beginners’ workshop aims to introduce the participants to concepts of terroir, grape varieties, and wine appellations. It includes a tasting of three Bordeaux wines (one white and two reds), one of which is a Grand Cru (great growth). Throughout the tasting, you will learn about the different tasting techniques and get wine pairing tips. Charcuterie and cheese boards are also included so you won’t drink on an empty stomach.
Olala Bordeaux is located on rue Mably, two minutes walk from the Opera building of Bordeaux.
The wine-tasting workshop takes place daily in the afternoon and the price is 29€/per person.
You can book their tasting session at this link.
Discover Bordeaux vineyard: special wine tasting with two cellar men brothers
This wine-tasting workshop is taking place at a very chic wine boutique, Le Pied à Terre. The wine cellar and tasting workshop is run by two brothers, Pierre and Geoffroy, who love drinking, talking, and educating about wine.
During the atelier, you will taste three Bordeaux traditional grape varieties and learn about winemaking in the region. The tasting also includes a platter of Basque cheese and ham and practical tips for wine tasting.
The workshops are offered from Wednsday to Saturday. They tend to be full quite fast so be sure to book in advance, especially if you’re visiting during the weekend.
Book your wine tasting here.
The shop is located on rue Judaique, one of the most foodie streets in Bordeaux.
Where: 22 Rue Judaïque, 33000 Bordeaux
Wine-tasting workshops at La Cite Du Vin
La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux’s famous wine museum hosts daily wine-tasting workshops in French, English, and Spanish. All their workshops and wine-tasting events take place in their stunning modern tasting rooms.
The English workshops are mainly dedicated to Bordeaux wines while those in French are varied. You can choose workshops about specific wine regions or learn how to match wine with cheese or chocolate. One of the workshops I had the chance to attend was red wine and chocolate tasting.
Check out what are the next tasting workshops to take place at the Cité du Vin.
Read my article about my latest visit to La Cité du Vin.
Wine and cheese pairing at Château Bouscaut
Château Bouscaut is located in Cadaujac, a little town about 20 minutes’ drive from Bordeaux. The winery, which is ranked as Grand Cru Classé de Graves produces both red and white wines.
Château Bouscaut offers several wine experiences, however, one of the more special ones is their wine and cheese pairing atelier. The cheese they choose every season changes according to the color and vintage of their wine. If you’re looking for a special experience while in Bordeaux, this wine tasting is for you.
You can enjoy the wine tasting from Tuesday to Saturday, the price is 25 € p/p.
You can book the wine tasting here.
Where: 1477 Av. de Toulouse, 33140 Cadaujac
Wine tasing in bars in Bordeaux
Deep Dive Bordeaux Wine Organic and Biodynamic
A two-hour tasting of organic and biodynamic Bordeaux wines at the TchinTchin Wine Bar. This wine bar, located just next to the Place de la Bourse, is specialized in organic wines. It’s run by two wine enthusiasts Anthony And Yuanjun.
During the tasting session, you will touch upon topics like Bordeaux terroir, the wine history of the region, natural wines, and more. You’ll learn how to properly taste wine while trying five different organic wines: whites, reds, and sweet wine.
This tasting session is suitable for wine amateurs and not for total beginners.
The tasting is offered from Tuesday to Sunday and costs 65 €/per person.
Book the organic wine-tasting experience.
Bordeaux wine tasting by Les Trois Pinardiers
Les Trois Pinardiers is a chic wine bar and shop located a few steps from Place Gambetta in Bordeaux.
During a 1.5 hours session, you will taste four Grand Cru Bordeaux wines: three reds and one white. You’ll learn about the blending and appellation of each wine. The experience also includes a charcuterie and cheese plate. If you’re a beginner and are looking for a lighter experience, this is a great one to try.
The tasting experiences are offered from Wednsday to Friday, the price is € 40/ person.
You can book your Bordeaux wine-tasting experience here.
Le Bar à Vin
Located in the 18th-century residence of the Bordeaux Wine Council, le Bar à Vin is an established Bordeaux institution.
Nevertheless, don’t let the fancy decor fool you, it’s more affordable than you think. In fact, it’s one of the cheapest places for drinking Bordeaux wine in the city center.
At le Bar à Vin their goal is to expose their clients to the widest variety of Bordeaux wines. Here you can order half glasses and taste many different types of wines without breaking the bank.
The menu offers a selection of Bordeaux wines, from famous appellations like Medoc and Pomerol to less-known ones like Blaye and Cadillac. To that, you can add delicious snacks like cheese, charcuterie, and local chocolates.
This is not a formal tasting experience, meaning that nobody accompanies you. But all their waiters and bartenders are very knowledgeable in wine and will be happy to answer all of your questions.
This is one of my favorite things to do in Bordeaux.
Le Bar a Vin is open daily except Sundays.
Address: 3 Cours du 30 Juillet, 33000 Bordeaux
Wine shops in Bordeaux that offer wine tasting
Vintage Wine Tasting with Charcuterie Board -Cousin et Compagnie
Cousin et Compagnie is a beautiful wine shop located just next to Place du Parlement offering a large selection of Bordeaux wines. They also offer a variety of tasting experiences at their shops and other parts of town.
The most popular is Vintage Wine Tasting, an experience that includes tasting four Grands crus wines paired with local charcuterie and cheese. All the vintages presented are at least 10 years old, French wines from the 70s, 80’s, and 90’s decades.
The tasting session is guided by one of their wine professionals the price is 80 € p/p.
You can book your Vintage tasting here.
*If you speak French you can enjoy a very similar workshop in their shop every Saturday (12:00 – 14:00). The price of this tasting is 49 € p/p – check out the details here.
Croisière Dégustation : Bordeaux Au Naturel
During the summer months, you can also take their tasting on a boat experience. Croisière Dégustation takes place in the afternoon two days a week. You go on a two hours boat trip where you get to taste three wines, accompanied by cheese and charcuterie.
It’s limited to 12 people so book in advance to ensure a spot. See all the details here.
Address: 2 Rue du Pas-Saint-Georges, 33000 Bordeaux
Self-service and workshops at – Max Bordeaux
Max Bordeaux is a wine shop with a neat concept – The Grands Crus Classés de Bordeaux is within everyone’s reach! A visit to this special bar allows you to autonomously taste prestigious Bordeaux wines without paying for the whole bottle.
At the bar, you’ll discover huge wine columns with built-in Oenomatic machines containing more than 45 Great Bordeaux Wines. Latour, Margaux, Haut Brion, Cheval Blanc, Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild, and Angélus are just a few examples. You can choose between two glass sized 2.5cl and 10cl and the prices range from 2euros to tens of euros for more expensive wines.
Even though it’s not a guided experience, the advantage is that it allows you to discover Bordeaux wines at your own pace and budget.
Wine tasting workshops
The other option is to join one of their wine-tasting workshops. This is a unique opportunity to discover the most representative appelations in Bordeaux and learn their characteristics. Among the wines, you’ll taste are red wines from AOC Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, and Graves or/and white wines from AOC Graves, Pessac-Léognan, and Entre-deux-mers.
Book your workshops here.
Address: 14 Cours de l’Intendance, 33000 Bordeaux
Wine Tasting at La Vinotheque
La Vinotheque is one of the most emblematic wine cellars of Bordeaux. Their wine experience starts with a presentation of the different appellations of Bordeaux and a visit to their vintage collection.
You then proceed to wine tasting (2-3 wines) and learn about the wines you chose to taste. The wine tasting is offered on Saturday, the price is From € 35.
Book your wine tasting here.
Where: 8 Cr du 30 Juillet, 33000 Bordeaux
Emile & Marguerite
This article is about wine tastings in Bordeaux but I had to add one place where you can taste other spirits that this region is famous for.
Emile & Marguerite is a charming shop in the heart of the center of Bordeaux specializing in made-in-France alcohol. They have everything from Whisky to Gin, vodka and a huge selection of local beers.
But what’s more interesting is their large selection of Cognac and Armagnac brandies originating from the Southwest of France. If you don’t have an extra day to go to Cognac or Armagnac this can be an opportunity to taste and gain more knowledge about these two exceptional French spirits.
You don’t have to make reservations, just pass by and you’ll be welcome anytime. The shop is open daily, check out their facebook page for more info.
Address: 13 Rue Parlement Saint-Pierre, 33000 Bordeaux
Pin this article, so you can use it on your visit to the Bordeaux wine region!
First time visiting Bordeaux?
If you’re visiting Bordeaux for the first time, be sure to check out my ultimate guide to Bordeaux, which will get you familiar with all the “must” places to visit in Bordeaux. To help you to choose a hotel in Bordeaux I’ve gathered a list of the best hotels in the center of Bordeaux as well as a guide to the districts of Bordeaux to help you choose your preferred location.
You can also get plenty of tips on things to do in the Southwest of France via lost in Bordeaux’s social media accounts and email list, check them out here:
Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group
*Note – Some of the links in this article include affiliate links for which I earn a small commission. It adds absolutely nothing to your cost and helps me continue writing about this amazing region. Don’t worry, I’m not getting rich here, I’ll never recommend anything I don’t believe in 🙂
