Those who follow the Barefoot Blogger know that I’m a wine lover, not a wine connoisseur. That didn’t stop me from a Secrets of Great Wine tour in Bordeaux.
Offered by the Tourist Office in Bordeaux, the Secrets of Great Wine tour started with a walk through the historic wine-merchant district, the Chartrons. We traced the wine route — from barrels that came into warehouses straight from the fields to barrels that left the district to be transported around the world from the Gironde River.
Tour of the Chartrons
As good luck would have it, the guide for the tour was a direct descendant of one of the wine merchants of the district from 1812 to 2004 — the Calvets. Along the way, Mme Calvet told us about her family life during the time when the merchant trade and the neighborhood were bustling with activity — before warehouses were converted to schools and offices and apartments.
Walls along the walkways in the Chartrons, reminders of the days when barrels of wine were stored
As a child, Mme Calvet lived in the building that now houses the Musée du Vin et du Négoce. Before her father (Patreice Calvet) retired, the father and daughter designed the museum at the behest of the city. They used family artifacts to tell the story of the merchant trade of the past.
Mme. Calvet shared the memory of her father tasting wine each morning. He would drink from small glasses lined up on a table in his office. After each taste, he’d spit out the wine and then pass judgment on each before selling new wines to his customers. At that time, the wine merchant was solely responsible for the wines’ reputation — not the vineyard. The merchant produced the wine, barreled it, aged it, and sold it. It was not until the eighteenth century that bottles were used to age wine!
Next stop on the Wine Tour Bordeaux
Following a wine tasting at the museum and lunch at a neighborhood cafe, those of us on the morning tour joined a larger group for a 40 km drive to the small town of Saint Emilion. The rainy day drive into the countryside beyond Bordeaux was a perfect time to relax.
The route was through miles and miles of vineyards. Along the way, it was obvious that the recent cold snap had severely damaged much of the crop.
Acres of damaged vines due to frost.
Saint-Emilion, the Medieval Town
Soon we arrived at Saint Emilion. Named for Émilion, a cave-dwelling monk from Brittany who created a monastery there in the mid- 700s, Saint Emilion has long been of interest to travelers and pilgrims. The site is, in fact, a stopping point along the Santiago de Compostela route. Emilion escaped persecution by the Benedictines and lived a hermetic life here where he performed occasional miracles. Early pilgrims came to the town on the chance they could be healed or saved. After his death, his followers built the monolithic Church of Saint Emilion (photos no longer allowed). The cross-shaped church (125′ x 66′) carved through limestone rock is the largest of its kind in Europe. Today tourists flock here to see the cave where he lived (the Hermitage); the underground church that includes the catacombs; and the Holy Trinity Chapel that was built in the thirteenth century. The town is a UNESCO site, along with the surrounding vineyards (the “jurisdiction).
Entrance to the Monolithic Church
Saint-Emilion, the Vineyards
Saint Emilion vines were among the earliest cultivated in the region — first by the Romans, later harvested by monks. Today, the area is protected as a UNESCO site and is one of Bordeaux’s largest wine producers. They have the widest range of wines and styles, as well. The distinctions are dictated by both the soil and terrain — sandy or limestone rock — and choices made by the winemaker.
Our tour made a leisurely stop at Château Haut-Veyrac, a Grand Cru producer of fine wines of the highest quality. The vineyard’s energetic and knowledgeable guides stepped us through the process — from grapes and vines to bottles on the shelf.
At Château Haut-Veyrac, they are held to standards above the norm, intended to distinguish the area’s finer wines from more everyday wines.
After the lessons on wine-making and the tour, it was time for a tasting and more lessons. It’s all about color, aromas, and your own tasting impressions.
So much wine, so little time!
There are not enough hours in the day to learn and experience the secrets of Bordeaux wines. Interestingly, one new fact stands out. Do you know there are often rose bushes in a vineyard? It’s because roses are susceptible to fungi and other diseases that affect grapevines. The health of the rose bush indicates good or bad conditions for vines.
And I thought they were just for decoration!
More about Bordeaux
Bordeaux Travel Guide:
Bordeaux Day 1: The Secrets of Great Wine
Bordeaux Day 3: The Magnificent City
Categories: Around France, Blog, Bordeaux, Loving Food, Loving History, New Aquitaine
After we left you, Rich and Paula, in Uzes last year, we headed by train to Bordeaux because of your wonderful Blog. It was amazing. Had it not been for you we probably would not have gone so Thank you!
Oh Elaine, I’m so glad to hear you liked Bordeaux. Anytime I say to myself I want to return somewhere, I’m always confident it’s a good place to recommend. Yes, I want to go back. Hope to see you again in Uzès.
Give me Cote du Rhone wine over the over rated Bordeaux. But your post and pictures are great. And would love to travel there.
I was surprised the Netflix show never mentioned Cote du Rhône. No Chateauneuf du Pape! Imagine that! I agree with you, but Bordeaux is an amazingly interesting place to visit.
Deborah another wonderful travel experience shared with others reading your blog. Saint Emilion is truly a must for any traveler in the area and has much to see and wonderful food. Most of the vineyard’s need to have you call and make an appointment and then they provide a tour and tasting for you at most of the vineyards. The countryside is wonderful and from there it is a short drive to the Dordogne.
There’s just not enough time to do it all in one visit. I must go again!
There’s just not enough time to do it all in one visit. I must go again!
I never knew that about the roses – thanks!
An interesting factoid, for sure!
Ah, the perfect day, history, vines, rose bushes and wine…..wonderful. Commentary, education and photos are terrific, as usual. Thanks Deborah.
Thank you so much Elaine. Now you know why 3 days just isn’t enough time in Bordeaux.