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 …

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 …