Wine fairs and en primeur weeks in Bordeaux worth planning a trip around, by month.
Wine fairs and en primeur weeks in Bordeaux worth planning a trip around, by month.
Europe's largest wine festival, held biennially on the Bordeaux quays. 70+ wine pavilions, 35,000 tasting tokens sold, world-class chateaux pouring current releases and select back vintages.
Host: CIVB (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux) and Bordeaux City Council
Featured producers: chateau-margaux, chateau-lafite-rothschild, chateau-mouton-rothschild, chateau-latour, chateau-haut-brion, chateau-cheval-blanc, petrus
Annual consumer and trade grand tasting organised by the Bettane et Desseauve wine guide, held in Hangar 14 on the Chartrons quay. 250+ Bordeaux producers presenting current releases and en-primeur samples.
Host: Editions Bettane et Desseauve
Featured producers: chateau-pontet-canet, chateau-palmer, chateau-cos-destournel, chateau-ducru-beaucaillou, chateau-figeac
The world's leading international wine and spirits trade fair, held biennially at the Bordeaux exhibition centre. 2,400+ exhibitors from 40+ countries; Bordeaux first growths always prominently represented.
Host: Vinexpo (Reed Exhibitions / GL Events)
Featured producers: chateau-margaux, chateau-latour, chateau-mouton-rothschild, chateau-haut-brion
The annual en-primeur tasting week when the world's trade and press taste barrel samples of the new vintage at the chateaux before release. Prices set and allocations agreed; the financial heartbeat of Bordeaux.
Host: Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGCB)
Featured producers: chateau-margaux, chateau-lafite-rothschild, chateau-latour, chateau-mouton-rothschild, chateau-haut-brion, chateau-cheval-blanc, petrus
The world's most celebrated wine-marathon, 42.2km through the Pauillac and Saint-Julien vineyards with 23 chateau wine stops en route. Costumed participants; oysters and Medoc wines at each station.
Host: Association Marathon du Medoc
Featured producers: chateau-lafite-rothschild, chateau-latour, chateau-mouton-rothschild, chateau-lynch-bages, chateau-pichon-baron
The ancient Jurade brotherhood's medieval ceremonies held twice yearly in Saint-Emilion village: the June ban on harvesting and the September proclamation of the vintage from atop the Tour du Roi. Street processions and open tastings.
Host: La Jurade de Saint-Emilion
Featured producers: chateau-angelus, chateau-cheval-blanc, chateau-pavie, chateau-figeac, chateau-canon
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.