9 best things to do during Bordeaux Fête le Vin
Event
June 8, 2018

9 best things to do during Bordeaux Fête le Vin

Bordeaux Fête le Vin is one of the biggest wine festivals in Europe, taking place from the 14th to the 18th June 2018. More than 200,000 people are expected to attend this year – and it’s easy to see why. This festival has it all: the grandeur of its tall ships, a wide variety of wine tastings, incredible live music and spectacular fireworks.

For this 20th anniversary edition, Bordeaux Fête le Vin is going big. You can explore the complete program and buy tickets here.

Here’s our pick of the 9 best things to do at Bordeaux Fête le Vin this year:

1 – Learn about wine tasting while strolling along the docks

Visit over 3km of pavilions along the quays, all filled with wine tasting counters and opportunities to meet the winemakers. What better way to discover – or rediscover – Bordeaux wines in all their richness and diversity?

2 – Enjoy the best produce from the region

Where there’s wine, there’s food! Bordeaux Fête le Vin is also home to food trucks, workshops, and tastings supervised by chefs – there’s something for everyone.3 – Discover the world’s most beautiful ships.Having sailed all the way from Liverpool, UK, the most beautiful sailboats in the world will be participating in Bordeaux Fête le Vin’s Tall Ships Regatta. Visit some of these magnificent ships and attend a party on a deck, or enjoy a boat trip – a great way of viewing all the ships from the river.4 – Win a trip by buying your ticket in advance.Start in Bordeaux and finish in Hong Kong? Here’s your chance… Buy a Tasting Pass before midnight 10th June, you’ll be entered into the Bordeaux Fête le Vin 20th anniversary Grand Tombola. There are numerous prizes to be won including a trip for two to Hong Kong, where you’ll attend the Wine and Dine Festival.5 – See the Garonne river light up beneath stunning fireworks

The party will be in full swing on the water, but also in the sky – every night you can enjoy a great pyrotechnic show from Groupe F, whose firework displays are renowned across the world, from Olympic opening ceremonies to The Eiffel Tower and Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

6 – See the city of Bordeaux from the air

Located at the foot of the rostral columns of the Place des Quinconces, the Bordeaux Fête le Vin’s Big Wheel offers a unique panorama of the city of Bordeaux, the Garonne river, the Port of the Moon and the various highlights of the event: the Parade of Heroes, the departure of the Solitaire, the concerts and closing fireworks.

7 – Visit the Chateaux

Bordeaux Fête le Vin is a unique insight into the many centuries of wine production in the world-famous Bordeaux region. Book your tour of the nearby Chateaux and vineyards here.8 – Meet the winemakers and taste the wines of Bordeaux

For more than 13 years, the Union of Grands Crus of Bordeaux has organized the Weekend of Grands Crus, an event bringing together lovers of vines and wines. This year it is organised as part of Bordeaux Fête le Vin. More than 110 owners and representatives of the Union of Grands Crus of Bordeaux will present the 2015 vintages and will offer the tasting of more than 120 Bordeaux Grands Crus in the heart of the city, on the banks of the Garonne river.

9 – Try out new experiences with the Bordeaux Wine School

Located at the heart of the Festival, the Bordeaux Wine School is always one of Bordeaux Fête le Vin’s most popular attractions! From 14 to 18 June 2018, the School will once again be presenting an imaginative programme.

Original and entertaining activities offer novices, wine enthusiasts, or the simply curious a delightful journey into the heart of Bordeaux’s vineyards. This year, festival-goers will also be invited to embark on a cruise with eight stopovers at various Bordeaux wines pavilions, with workshops specifically dedicated to their terroirs.

Among the numerous new features: the mysterious Sensory Bubble, the surprising Fruit and Vegetable bar, the inspiring Scents of Wine workshop. And, as night falls, try your hand at the clandestine Pari(s) Bordeaux betting table and the ever-popular Rock & Wine!

Get a complete introduction to the wine world – no longer confuse your Merlot with your Cabernet Sauvignon! You’ll also learn how to pair wine and food, and how to describe the many flavours and sensations of wine tasting.

We hope to see you at Bordeaux Fête le Vin 2018! See full programme here.

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