Where to drink by the glass in Bordeaux: natural, classical and grower-focused lists worth the detour.
Where to drink by the glass in Bordeaux: natural, classical and grower-focused lists worth the detour.
Intimate wine bar in the Saint-Pierre quarter with sommelier-curated rotating glass list strong in crus bourgeois and petit chateau Bordeaux; food-friendly plates.
The list: Bordeaux-focused list of 200+ references by the glass and bottle; daily rotating Medoc and Right Bank by-the-glass selections
Pours: Pauillac fifth growths, Pessac-Leognan blanc, Sauternes by the glass
The historic Chapon Fin brasserie's ground-floor wine bar, one of Bordeaux's most celebrated cellars with 600 references. Flights across all major Bordeaux appellations; full food menu available.
The list: 600-label Bordeaux-centric cellar; by-the-glass list rotated weekly by sommelier team; vertical flights of classified growths available
Pours: Medoc classified growths, Pessac-Leognan rouge et blanc, Sauternes grands crus
Sommelier: Nicolas Lascombes
Saint-Michel neighbourhood wine bar with a progressive list balancing natural Bordeaux producers against classic appellations; unpretentious atmosphere popular with vigneron community.
The list: Independent natural and classic Bordeaux list; 150 references; strong Pessac-Leognan and satellite appellations; natural producers from Fronsac and Entre-Deux-Mers
Pours: Fronsac artisan producers, Cotes de Bourg natural wines, Graves blancs
Riverside bar in the historic Chartrons wine-merchant quarter, with 250 Bordeaux references from affordable crus bourgeois to classified growths. Regular producer meet-and-greet evenings.
The list: Chartrons merchant-district wine bar with 250+ Bordeaux references; focus on second and third labels of classed growths; well-priced by-the-glass programme
Pours: Second wines of premiers crus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Sauternes with foie gras
Cazes family-run village bar and bistro in the beautifully restored Bages hamlet, offering Lynch-Bages and Medoc pours alongside traditional Girondine food; popular lunch stop on Medoc vineyard tours.
The list: Cazes family bistro and wine bar in the village of Bages; Lynch-Bages, Echo de Lynch-Bages, and regional Medoc producers by the glass; full-appellation Pauillac list
Pours: Lynch-Bages by the glass, Echo de Lynch-Bages, Medoc crus bourgeois
Compact wine bar near Marche des Capucins run by a sommelier couple; rotating 80-bottle list emphasises satellite appellations and biodynamic producers often overlooked by mainstream cellars.
The list: Independent sommelier-run bar with 80 rotating references; emphasis on grower Bordeaux and lesser-known appellations; regular vertical tastings of en-primeur releases
Pours: Cotes de Castillon artisan labels, Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac, Pomerol satellites
Village wine bar in the heart of Saint-Emilion with a Right Bank-focused list and regular producer vertical tastings. Terrace seating with views over the medieval village.
The list: Saint-Emilion specialist bar; 120 references spanning Grand Cru to Premier Grand Cru Classe; vertical flights of 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2020 available
Pours: Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru flights, Right Bank Cabernet Franc expressions, Pomerol by the glass
Chartrons wine bar with a sommelier-driven 200-label list mixing Bordeaux appellations with a short international selection. Long bar counter and cave seating; popular wine-trade social venue.
The list: International plus Bordeaux selection; 200 references; strong Pessac-Leognan and Graves blanc programme; regular themed tastings with growers
Pours: Pessac-Leognan blanc sec, Medoc fifth growth flights, Sauternes with cheese boards
Peak wine-travel season in Bordeaux is spring through autumn, with harvest the standout window.
classified-growth and grand-cru estates require booking days to weeks ahead; smaller family domaines often take walk-ins midweek.
most estates open 10:00 to 17:00 by appointment, often closed Sunday and Monday.
tipping is not expected at tastings; buying a bottle from the cellar door is the customary thank-you.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Bordeaux rewards trust.