2023 vintage perfect introduction to Today’s Bordeaux

What a pleasure and joy to taste such fresh, vibrant wines full of fruit and relatively supple tannins considering their baby stage. 2023 is an excellent vintage if you want to know what Bordeaux is about - and the prices are supposedly coming down to jumpstart the market. Now is the time to get into …

David and Goliath in the Vineyards of St Estèphe

I have always been attracted to the vineyard, wines and family set up of Haut Marbuzet in the far away lands of St Estephe as outsiders into this traditional closed world where vineyards are inherited over generations. Over the years I have heard snippets of the family's fabulous 'underdog' story comes good and have recounted …

Best value Brandy in the world

Armagnac - Bordeaux's best kept secret One hour and a half's drive down motorway south of Bordeaux city and you arrive in an unspoilt region that seems to have escaped the pressures of modern life. Time feels different down here when you taste, if it was a common occurrence, brandy made 30, 50 or 70 …

2023 Bordeaux Vintage – nice quality and quantity

Forget the extremes of the very hot and dry 2022 vintage and its concentration, 2023 was a vintage (if one was able to combat the big risk of mildew which destroyed hopes of many) where at harvest vignerons heaved a big sigh of relief to see relatively good quantities and nice juicy fruity wines (not …

Starting to get Tense – the annual risk of late frost in the Bordeaux Vineyards

Its beautiful in the sunshine here in Bordeaux. It almost feels like Spring with temperatures around 15°C in the sunny afternoons. Its not good for the ski season as there is no snow and its the school holidays. Nor is it good for nature as the plants are feeling the pull of the warmth of …

The Best of St Emilon’s Restaurants and which Château to go winetasting visits

Here is some information on the best places to visit in St Emilion. ST EMILION;  For your day in St Emilion, Château Canon la Gaffelière is a wonderful comprehensive visit, you can book here http://www.neipperg.com/fr/visiter.html (or email Emily Emilie Remond <emilie@neipperg.com>,  it is a premier grand cru classé and the family have different properties with …

Corporate Wine Trip Experiences in Bordeaux

# Team building & incentive Every successful manager is trying to motivate his team with new and creative ideas. What best way to help a team come together or congratulate them, than a wine trip. Bordeaux offers an exceptional range of opportunities to discover or deepen peoples knowledge about wine. In one of the most …

Spring Food & Wine Retreat with Yann Florio Private chef in Bordeaux’s countryside

The ideal retreat for all lovers of fine food and wine this Spring in the beautiful countryside of Duras (not far from St Emilion). Have you ever dreamed of relaxing in your own château, lost in the rolling vineyard-clad hills of Bordeaux? And with your own private chef to cater to your every culinary whim? Well …

2022 vintage – its in the barrels!

The 1982 was legendary but since the vintages ending with a two have been classical - 2002 actually currently drinking well (not as classy as the beautiful 2001) and 2012 gorgeous harmony and silkiness but light bodied fresh and classy (perfect christmas drinking by the way if you come across any). Smaller Cabernet berry and …

Record breaking 2022 Bordeaux Vintage

We have had frost, we have had hail and now we are having record hot temperatures for all of the summer - et ç'est n'est pas fini! Not had a super vintage ending with a 2 since 1982! Acidity is low but there are plenty of grapes and so far the hot dry conditions have …

Autumn Food & Wine Retreat with Private chef in Bordeaux’s countryside

The ideal retreat for all lovers of fine food and wine this autumn in the beautiful countryside of Duras (not far from St Emilion). Have you ever dreamed of relaxing in your own château, lost in the rolling vineyard-clad hills of Bordeaux? And with your own private chef to cater to your every culinary whim? …

Bordeaux’s Best Wine Bars

As a local and obviously into wine, here are my list of the best five wine bars in Bordeaux. Win e Bars have only become part of the french culture some 15 years ago. Before then wine always accompanied meals but was rarely drunk on its own. Things have changed and now Bordeaux like any …

The Best of Bordeaux Restaurants from a local

Bordeaux is bursting with restaurants but which ones are the best? These are my favorites and Veronica who is an expert wine guide who works with me at Sip Wine Tours. She lives in Bordeaux and is as much a foodie as a winey! The scene is changing as Bordeaux is being infused with Parisians …

12 Top Tips when planning a Wine Tour in Bordeaux

I have spent over 30 years here in Bordeaux helping people put together their own wine tours that tick off the key things to see here or guiding wine lovers by the hand around the region as a wine specialised private wine guide (www.wineguidebordeaux). I have summarised the best of my advice in recently published …

St Emilion – not so ‘classé’ anymore!

Tastings have begun for the new St Emilion classification system - results normally to be announced in September. But what is to become to the ill-fated Classification system that merits buildings more than wine? 2022 marks the 10 year mark for a new list of the 'best' châteaux in St Emilion today be compiled, bringing …

Bordeaux calls itself Wine Tourism Capital (but not at Christmas)

Running a private wine tour business in Bordeaux (www.wineguidebordeaux.com), the period between Christmas and New Year has become a more important wine tourism season over the last few years despite the complications of Covid. Chateau Guadet St Emilion always open for visits and hosted by the family The whole world is on holiday, and as …

A Limited Edition Case of Wine for Christmas

Lost in Bordeaux & SIP (Small Independent Producers) Christmas Case Limited Edition individually signed bottles by the winemakers 6 bottles of red wine from both the right and left banks of Bordeaux made by passionate small independent producers in Bordeaux (2 bottles of each from 3 different producers). Each have been selected by wine expert …

The Lucky Grapes of 2021 Bordeaux Harvest

Wine producers are at least happy to have some grapes (the small quantity they had) in the vats after a disappointing harvest. The strong jammy aromas of blackcurrant and cherry waft around the wineries and we could almost be convinced it is a normal time of year. The crimson colour is being extracted from the …

Tour de France 2021 Open House at St Emilion – portes ouvertes

Venez nous voir cette semaine tous les jours du 14 au 18 juillet (de 10 à 19 heures chaque jour) pour célébrer le Tour de France à St Emilion. Franck Moureau, vigneron et propriétaire de la 9ème génération du Château Béard la Chapelle sera présent avec Nicolle Croft auteur et dégustateur professionnel, pour répondre à …

Bordeaux Wine 2020 in nutshell

Currently in Bordeaux we are tasting the baby vintage of 2020 from the barrel. The best are very good and these are not only from the classified growths. Some unfortunately fell into the old trap of extracting too much in a dry hot summer with thick skins and not much juice. What style is 2020? …

Hooray – France opens its doors!

From June 9th France reopens its doors to all travellers who have been vaccinated against Covid. Restaurants will also be fully open - you just have to be home for 11pm! (curfew ends 19 June) This fun-loving, pleasure addict country will be back on its feet! We have missed you all! - link to French …

How to find exceptional wines in Bordeaux – without breaking the bank

As we know Bordeaux is the home of some of the world's most expensive wines. Yet there are only 200 of these classified wines in Bordeaux out of 6000 other châteaux. They are in high demand and their prices have quadrupled in the past 10 years. We seem to have lost sense of reality. If …

La Tour of St Emilion – Balestard la Tonnelle, ready and waiting…

We all know a wine property named after its famous tower (Latour) in Pauillac on the Left bank way up in the Haut Médoc wine country. Well here is another one but on the Right Bank, in fact in walking distance of the famous medieval village of St Emilion. The famous tower or Tonnelle of …

The Cost of Frost

It seems that the risk of frost has increased in recent years due to global warming, which does not just warm but makes the climate more erratic and temperatures more extreme (as we saw with temperatures the week before last at 28°C in Bordeaux and everyone at the beach followed by temperatures of down to …

Soak up St Emilion on the saddle of an Electric Bike

ELECTRIC BIKE RIDE With the gentle hills and beautiful scenery, electric bikes are the perfect way to see the sights around St Emilion for all ages (from 10 years age). It is possible to rent a tow trailer for young ones.  We have put together some ideal circuits that take you in front of some of …

When Vines cry…

It is always an emotional moment at this time of year when we see in the vineyards the glistening tears of the vines ('les pleurs') that tell us that the new vintage is underway. As the temperatures rise so does the sap in the vines and where the pruners have trimmed the end of the …

Whispering Wines – “What makes Bordeaux wine so special?”

In a world where it seems who talks loudest is most heard, I wanted to explore "What makes Bordeaux wine so special?" It was my old boss Peter Sichel's father, Allan, a few years ago, who I think best summed up for me what is remarkable about the region's wines (in a charming if somewhat …

Bordeaux Book Sip by Sip by Nicolle Croft

a personal story over 30 years, wine guide to visiting what is important in the region and finding good value in this exceptional wine terroir. Gail Barnett Copyright Its been 30 years since I arrived on the quayside in Bordeaux city, weary from my travels in this funny tin can of a car (a 2CV) …

Wine Tour with Kids…Wine not?

As a parent to a three year old, wine is an important part of my daily survival kit. I cannot say I always savour every nuance of taste (as a professional winetaster I do know the difference) but it is an important milestone to celebrate at the end of another frenetic day and serves as …

My First ever Podcast: Standing up for Bordeaux’s Small Producers

Ever since arriving here in Bordeaux the SIPs (Small Independent Producers) of Bordeaux have been my life and my love. But time is not on their side. My goal is to promote these passionate people with their authentic wines that are such good value and taste fresh and thatI believe makeup the fabric of Bordeaux …

Whats new in Bordeaux – look to the dynamic Small Châteaux

Despite its crusty past image, Bordeaux today is full of fresh ideas as a younger generation are holding the reins and directing the wines made in Bordeaux in a different direction. It is the small independent producers (who I call the SIPs - see my book Bordeaux Sip by Sip Editions Sud Ouest) who are …

Moulis, neighbour of Margaux – great go-to for value

Just take a right turn off the Route des Châteaux (the D2) once you have passed through the famous wine village of Margaux. With its undulating vineyard clad hills and forests this little enclave of 600 hectares (one of Bordeaux's smallest) with only 35 producers is worth the small detour. There's a cute little maison …

Harvest Recap Bordeaux 2020

Many celebrated the 'gerbaude' end of harvest (in a restrained covid-aware way) the last week of September, so relieved that in this challenging year of adversity at least something has gone well - a full two weeks before the usual celebrations. Of course it is too early to say but the wines of 2020 are …

A Sea of Wine Guides? launch of a new network to find the best

100% experts, 100% wine, 100% local I am pleased to announce the creation of new network of specialist wine guides which I am proud to be a part of: My Local Wine Guide! Passionate wine experts trained in wine or coming from a family of winemakers, local (or adopted) who know their 'territory' better than anyone …

2020 Bordeaux – promises well

August holidays have been cut short as wine producers return to start the harvest of whites, rosé and cremants. Early Reds to start next week (start September - 2 weeks early). Curiously as with all vintages that end with a zero in Bordeaux - this vintage 2020 promises good things. It has been hot for …

Launch ‘Oeno-Apero!’ Bordeaux

For friends and family - an hour's fun aperitif to practice the language of winetasting in French and English! 6.30 to 7.30pm (any evening) - 1 hour of fun and tasting 3 classic wines from Bordeaux from great undiscovered smaller producers. Other timings possible 😉 Where? In your own home (St Emilion area) or a …

Class in a glass – Leoville Barton St Julien

When most of the châteaux in Bordeaux are following the latest trend of using an army of amphoras in their new chai under construction, Leoville Barton stays with its historic recipe of wooden vats for making and ageing the wine. Tasting their vintage, they manage to achieve as always perfect balance. The château at Barton …

My Top Five Restaurants in St Emilion for foodies (and wineys)

The pretty village of Saint-Emilion is known around the world for its medieval monuments and cobble-stoned streets - and of course its famous red wines (it is called the 'hill of a 1000 châteaux'). It receives around 1 million visitors per year. The medieval village at nightfall nestled into its valley As in any 'touristy' …

Branaire Ducru, St Julien – a wine that has marked my life

There are some wines that seem to accompany our lives, even if it arrives a bit by chance. Branaire-Ducru is one of those wines that seems to have just been there during those important moments of my life. And it is exactly the type of wine I love. Its classy (one can taste its wonderful …

What makes a Great wine in 2020

When I first came to Bordeaux in the 1980s, the sign of a good well-made wine had always been one that would last for 20 or 30 years. Ripeness was not understood. It was about waiting for a minimum alcohol level and harvesting as quickly as possible to avoid the risk of losing the crop. …

Futures Bordeaux 2019, time for a change?

With the cancellation of the usual primeur tastings first week of April this year wine buyers and journalists have received their barrel samples of the new vintage by the post. And it seems to have worked, as tasting notes have been written and communicated all over the world - despite the fragile nature of these …

If I could choose anywhere I could make wine….

"From generation to generation for over 200 years, in what is the very centre of St Emilion, my family has cultivated these soils and tended our vines. Today it is my turn and I try to make a wine that comes from my heart. Having now my own young son, who represents the 10th generation, …

Bordeaux 2019 – yes she gets to go to the ball – virtually

Following the cancellation of the annual futures tastings in the first week of April, the Union de Grand Cru have organised a series of tastings around the world for trade where the wine can be tasted but the producers will not be present. So here are their UGC info and châteaux 2019 presentations (good synopsis …

Ready to make plans again…

Bordeaux is waiting for you. “As I ate the oysters with their strong taste of the sea and their faint metallic taste that the cold white wine washed away, leaving only the sea taste and the succulent texture, and as I drank their cold liquid from each shell and washed it down with the crisp …

Relax after a hard day’s wine touring

Set in the rolling vineyards around St Emilion, Château Latour Segur is an historical château and boutique hotel with its own professional intimate spa. Wine touring can be tiring so it is wonderful at the end of the day to be able to unwind in a spa built into the very limestone that the area …

#Bordeaux2020 please give us a break

You think it sounds like fun to have your own vineyard and make your own wine! It seems that the weather conditons are getting more extreme (is this down to global warming?) here in Bordeaux at least and it is providing a continual headache for the winemakers here. Cabernet Franc If the problems caused by …

Châteaux in Bordeaux open their doors again for visits

Bordeaux, the wine capital of the world, is open again for visitors after two months of shutdown. It is possible again to visit some of the most famous and smaller châteaux in the Bordeaux wine region on the Right and Left bank - in private tours (even some at the weekends). The first to communicate …

Changing Scene of Bordeaux Restaurants

Bordeaux is bursting with restaurants but you must book in advance to get into the popular ones. The scene is changing as Bordeaux is being infused with Parisians (only 2 hours from paris on the TGV train). Here are a mix of some of the traditional and newer ones from a local. Updated since Covid.  …

Introducing the SIP Wine Club

With the growth in wine tourism in Bordeaux, wine writer and guide Nicolle Croft launches  « SIP » a wine tour company based in Bordeaux specializing in promoting, through wine tourism, the Small Independent Producers in the region. Over thirty years I have searched out wonderful wines that are authentic and great value often just falling on the wrong …