New list of the Best St Emilion – dawn of a new era

Its out!! the new list that has already caused so much controversy!! Everyone wins with 6 more properties included and no-one coming out. For my background article Congratulations to my favorite Figeac new A only 1 of 2 As with Pavie (the two orginal As never applied Ausone and Cheval Blanc). Angelus pulled out recently …

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 …