Bordeaux, with its renowned vineyards and wine growing heritage, is a must-see destination for all wine lovers. The summer of 2024 promises to be particularly exciting, with a host of events dedicated to discovering and tasting the region’s finest vintages. Here’s an overview of the events not to be missed this summer in Bordeaux.
Bordeaux Fête le Vin: The must-attend event for wine lovers
One of the key events of the year, from June 27 to 30, Bordeaux Fête le Vin returns to celebrate wine and gastronomy. This emblematic event offers a series of tastings, meetings with winemakers and oenological workshops. The Garonne River will come alive with cruise boats offering tastings on the water, while the quays will be filled with stands from local producers.
Bordeaux Fête le Vin is one of the most eagerly awaited wine events of the year, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world. This iconic festival celebrates Bordeaux wine and gastronomy, offering a unique experience for wine lovers and the curious alike.
Meet Laetitia Ouspointour, winemaker’s daughter, oenologist and oenology instructor, in the video promoting the event by the Bordeaux Wine School by clicking here or on the image below.
The event takes place on the magnificent quays of the Garonne, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The quays are transformed into a gourmet promenade where visitors can discover the wines of Bordeaux’s main appellations.
Key locations :
- Quais de la Garonne: The heart of the event, with tasting stands, workshops and entertainment.
- Place des Quinconces: Host to numerous shows and concerts.
- Parc des Angéliques: A quieter space for tastings and workshops.
An exceptional tasting experience
Bordeaux Fête le Vin offers a unique tasting program, enabling participants to sample a vast selection of Bordeaux and Aquitaine wines. Visitors can purchase a Tasting Pass, which gives them access to tastings in the various appellations’ pavilions.
Wines to taste :
- Grands Crus Classés : Prestigious Bordeaux wines.
- Bordeaux and Aquitaine wines: A wide range of red, white, rosé and sparkling wines.
- Organic and natural wines: Discover the latest trends in sustainable viticulture.
Workshops and events
In addition to tastings, Bordeaux Fête le Vin offers a host of workshops and events to enhance the visitor experience. These activities allow visitors to deepen their oenological knowledge and discover the secrets of Bordeaux viticulture.
Workshops :
- Tasting workshops: Led by sommeliers and oenologists, learn to appreciate the subtleties of Bordeaux wines.
- Oenology classes: Educational sessions on winemaking, terroirs and food pairing.
- Meetings with winemakers: Exchanges on winemaking know-how and traditions.
Entertainment:
- Concerts and shows: A varied musical program on the Place des Quinconces.
- Fireworks: Pyrotechnic show on the Garonne River to close each evening.
- Wine-tasting cruises: Wine tastings aboard boats on the Garonne.
Gastronomy and wine pairings
The festival wouldn’t be complete without a high-quality gastronomic offering. Numerous stands offer regional culinary specialities, allowing visitors to enjoy perfect food and wine pairings.
Culinary specialities :
- Local products: Oysters from the Arcachon Basin, cannelés, foie gras, artisanal charcuterie.
- Ephemeral restaurants: Local and international chefs offering menus specially designed for the event.
- Cooking workshops: Culinary demonstrations and workshops to learn how to cook Bordeaux specialties.
Event highlights :
Wine tasting of Bordeaux’s main appellations.
Meetings and exchanges with producers.
Discovery and introductory wine-tasting workshops.
Les estivales de musique en Médoc: Perfect harmony between music and wine
For those who wish to combine the pleasure of the senses with culture, Les Estivales de Musique en Médoc offers a series of concerts throughout July at prestigious châteaux. Each concert is followed by a tasting of the estate’s wines, offering a complete sensory experience.
Les Estivales de Musique en Médoc is a must-attend summer event for lovers of classical music and wine. This unique event takes place every year in the châteaux of the Médoc, offering an exceptional sensory experience in the heart of one of the world’s most renowned wine-growing regions.
An eclectic festival in exceptional venues
Since its creation, the Estivales de Musique en Médoc festival has established itself as a major event of the Bordeaux summer season. Concerts take place at emblematic châteaux such as Château Margaux, Château Lafite-Rothschild, and Château Pichon-Longueville, allowing spectators to discover these wine estates from a new angle.
Concert venues :
- Château Margaux : A majestic setting for memorable performances.
- Château Lafite-Rothschild : Combining history and winemaking excellence.
- Château Pichon-Longueville : An emblematic Médoc venue, ideal for unforgettable musical evenings.
Artistic programming of the highest calibre
The festival showcases young classical music talent as well as renowned artists. Concerts cover a wide range of repertoires, from Baroque works to contemporary compositions and the great classics of the Romantic repertoire.
Some notable artists and ensembles:
- Quatuor Ébène: Renowned for its innovative interpretations and energy on stage.
- Renaud Capuçon: Internationally renowned violin virtuoso.
- Le Concert des Nations: An ensemble specializing in Baroque music.
A complete sensory experience
Each concert is followed by a tasting of the wines of the host estate, offering spectators the opportunity to savor the great Médoc vintages in a friendly, refined atmosphere. It’s a unique opportunity to discover the specific characteristics of each wine and to talk to the winemakers about the secrets of their production.
Tastings :
- Grands crus classés du Médoc: exceptional wines to savor after each concert.
- Meetings with winemakers: Enriching exchanges on terroir and winemaking techniques.
Event highlights :
Classical music concerts in exceptional venues.
Tastings of Médoc grands crus classés.
Elegant and refined atmosphere.
La nuit du terroir à Saint-Émilion: A celebration of the richness of Saint-Émilion’s wine and gastronomic heritage.
This event is a celebration of Saint-Émilion’s rich terroir. On July 12, the Nuit du Terroir offers wine tastings accompanied by local dishes, all in the magical atmosphere of the town’s medieval streets. Workshops and wine-related activities punctuate this unforgettable evening.
Every summer, Saint-Émilion, one of the world’s most famous wine-producing villages, transforms itself into a vibrant stage for festivities to celebrate La Nuit du Terroir. This event is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture, flavors and traditions of this emblematic wine region.
A historic and enchanting setting
Saint-Émilion, with its cobbled streets, historic monuments and vineyard landscapes as far as the eye can see, offers an enchanting setting for this event. La Nuit du Terroir takes place in the heart of this exceptional heritage, allowing visitors to enjoy the medieval ambience while discovering the treasures of the local terroir.
Key locations :
- La Place du marché: the nerve center of the event, where numerous events and tastings take place.
- Medieval alleyways: discover the stands and workshops.
- Terraces and historic cellars: the ideal setting for intimate tastings and meetings with producers..
Tastings and gastronomic discoveries
La Nuit du Terroir is first and foremost a feast for the senses, where wine and local gastronomy take center stage. Visitors can taste a variety of Saint-Émilion wines, from grands crus to more confidential discoveries, accompanied by regional dishes prepared by local chefs and artisans.
Wine and food pairings:
- Saint-Émilion wines: A selection of powerful, elegant red wines from the region’s varied terroirs.
- Culinary specialties: Cheeses, charcuterie, foie gras, cannelés and other local delights.
- Wine and food pairing: Workshops to learn how to pair Saint-Émilion wines with local produce.
Workshops and events:
To enrich the visitor experience, La Nuit du Terroir offers a series of workshops and activities. These activities provide a better understanding of the particularities of the Saint-Émilion terroir, viticulture and winemaking techniques, as well as local history and traditions.
Key activities :
- Wine-tasting workshops: Sessions guided by sommeliers and oenologists to deepen your knowledge of oenology.
- Vineyard visits: Excursions to nearby vineyards to learn about the vine cycle and growing methods.
- Meetings with winemakers: Discussions with local producers to better understand their know-how and passion.
A festive and convivial atmosphere
The Nuit du Terroir is also marked by a festive and convivial atmosphere, with music, shows and entertainment for the whole family. Local music groups, folk dancers and street performers liven up the streets of Saint-Émilion, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere.
Highlights :
- Open-air concerts: Live music in the market square and alleyways.
- Shows and performances: Street artists, jugglers and dancers enliven the evening.
- Fireworks: A pyrotechnic show to round off the evening in style.
Les Vendanges du 7ème Art à Margaux: A spellbinding fusion of cinema and wine
Come and experience this unique encounter between cinema and wine in the heart of the Margaux vineyards. Les Vendanges du 7ème Art features open-air film screenings, followed by tastings of Margaux wines. It’s the perfect opportunity to appreciate the culture of cinema and the richness of Bordeaux wines.
Les Vendanges du 7ème Art à Margaux is a unique event that combines a passion for cinema with a love of wine. Running from August 21 to 24, 2024, this festival offers an exceptional cultural and sensory experience in one of the world’s most prestigious wine-growing regions.
A film festival in the heart of the vineyards
Located in the heart of the Médoc, the village of Margaux is world-renowned for its Grand Cru Classé wines. During the Vendanges du 7ème Art, this idyllic setting is transformed into an open-air cinema, offering visitors film screenings in the surrounding vineyards and châteaux.
Screening locations :
- Château Margaux: A majestic stage for classic and contemporary films.
- Château Palmer: An intimate, elegant setting for exclusive screenings.
- Château Marquis de Terme: A historic venue for open-air screenings.
A varied, high-quality program
The festival features a varied selection of films, from cinema classics to new releases, documentaries and shorts. Each evening’s screening is preceded or followed by a tasting of Margaux wines, offering an immersive experience where the pleasure of the eyes meets that of the taste buds.
Films and genres presented:
- Cinema classics: Iconic films that have marked the history of the 7th art.
- New releases: Previews and screenings of recent films.
- Wine documentaries: Films exploring the world of wine and viticulture.
- Short films: A selection of original and innovative creations.
Meetings and exchanges
Les Vendanges du 7ème Art also offers a unique opportunity to meet cinema and wine professionals. Directors, actors, producers and winegrowers take part in discussions and workshops organized during the festival, enabling enriching and fascinating exchanges.
Meetings and workshops:
Round tables with directors and actors: Discussions on the creative process and the challenges of filmmaking.
Wine workshops: wine-tasting sessions guided by sommeliers and oenologists.
Visits to wineries and vineyards: Behind-the-scenes look at wine production in Margaux.
A complete sensory experience
Each screening is accompanied by a tasting of Margaux wines, allowing participants to savor fine wines while enjoying the film. These tastings are often thematically linked to the film being shown, offering a unique multi-sensory experience.
Tastings :
- Margaux wines: A selection of grands crus classés and other prestigious wines from the appellation.
- Wine and food pairings: Combine wines with local culinary specialties for a complete immersion experience.
- Meetings with winemakers: Discuss the particularities of Margaux wines and winemaking techniques.
Event highlights:
Open-air film screenings.
Tastings of prestigious Margaux wines.
Meetings with directors and actors.
Prepare your wine summer in Bordeaux
With so many exciting events to choose from, Bordeaux is once again asserting itself as the world’s wine capital. Whether you’re an enlightened connoisseur or a curious neophyte, these events offer a unique opportunity to discover Bordeaux wines in all their facets. Prepare your diary and don’t miss these must-see events in the summer of 2024!
For more information on our wine tasting courses and to organize your wine tour in Bordeaux, please visit our website. We offer personalized experiences and workshops to deepen your knowledge and fully appreciate the viticultural treasures of this magnificent region.
