Bordeaux: NY Times Profile, Tips, Ideas, etc.!!

[TLCOhio]

From the New York Times Travel Section coming this weekend on Sunday, they will have this headline: “36 Hours in Bordeaux”  with this sub-head: "In the heart of grape-growing country, this riverside city in France is especially appealing to those in the wine-sipping, food-loving crowd."

 

Here are some of the story highlights: “Having long shed its reputation as a backwater, Bordeaux is still often overlooked by travelers intent on the Paris-Provence circuit. Nestled in verdant wine country and on the edge of leading oyster-producing areas, this elegant city on the Garonne River melds a history as a wealthy shipping center with a more recent resurgence in arts and infrastructure to make for a captivating — and mouthwatering — destination that’s easy to navigate on a system of modern trams. And with the high-speed rail service introduced in 2017, it’s just two hours southwest of the French capital.”

 

Many options are outlined in the profile to consider when visiting Bordeaux.  This includes this information on the new wine museum with its unique architecture that we visited in 2017: "With so much to take in at La Cité du Vin, this impressive museum, which opened in 2016, offers an array of self-guided, hourlong highlights tours to intrigue adults and children alike, helped by handy graphics and English translations. 'The Essentials' tour, for example, includes a look at the history of winemaking and how Bordeaux — where winemaking dates to the ancient Romans — fits into that, and videos in which male and female winemakers from different countries talk about their terroir. The 'Juniors' route for ages 7 to 12 includes a cartoon video of Romans shipping wine across the sea and a 'buffet of the five senses' where sniff tests identify aromas and flavors found in wine. A 20-euro ticket also allows elevator access to the eighth-floor Belvedere observatory, including a taste of wine."  Yes, we enjoyed a nice glass of wine on the top floor at this location. 

 

Full story at:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/23/travel/what-to-do-in-bordeaux-france.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast.  Now at 28,485 views.  Many interesting pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

 

Here was their top visual that featured the Miroir d’eau reflecting pool, in front of the Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux.:

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From this profile, here was this visual of La Cité du Vin, or the City of Wine, that explores the history and culture of winemaking.  We visited and enjoy this new museum in June 2017.:

[MVPinBoynton]

Thanks for the link.  I will be there in September, doin a cruise similar to the previous one you did that stopped there.

[TLCOhio]

On 6/1/2019 at 3:03 PM, MVPinBoynton said:

Thanks for the link.  I will be there in September, doin a cruise similar to the previous one you did that stopped there.

 

Great to hear you have an upcoming cruise involving wonderful and historic Bordeaux.  We visited there on June 19, 2017, to enjoy a "Big Day" for Bordeaux and its nearby world-class wine areas. We docked at Le Verdon. This "port" is very much a nothing to see. There is a small town nearby, but that is highly limited, too. We were in port 8 am-11:59 pm.

 

Bordeaux is situated on the Garonne River, 70 miles inland from the Atlantic. Bordeaux's origin can be traced back to the 3rd century when it was Aquitaine's Roman capital called Burdigala. From 1154 to 1453, the town prospered under the rule of the English, whose fondness for the region's red wines gave impetus to the local wine industry. Aided in large part by the great soil and weather/climate situation. At various times, Bordeaux even served as the nation's capital: in 1870, at the beginning of World War I, and for two weeks in 1940 before the Vichy government was proclaimed. Bordeaux's neo-classical architecture, wide avenues and public squares/parks add so much to make this city a rising star. In July, things will get much busier as the TGV high-speed rail starts faster service from Paris that narrows the travel time down to being only two hours to connect to this location. 

 

During the June 18-21 2017, Bordeaux hosted the 19th VINEXPO Bordeaux, a leading international wine and spirits event. Main activities were at a location north of main central business district and fortunately it did not impact our time in Bordeaux too much. 

 

We had a super excellent private tour with Nicole. Nicole is a incredible wine expert who has lived here from the past 25+ years. She is originally from the UK. More details later. PLUS, lots of "photo evidence" that experienced so much in a spectacular fashion during this one day in the Bordeaux area. 

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For latest live/blog, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Connect at:

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Here is a quick sampler of the initial sights from being in Bordeaux during this later morning and early afternoon period. If you love history and architecture, this is the super place to be!!. The weather was very hot this day, up in the 90'sF, but we survived well.  Like the picture of the little boy playing in the water?:

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[TLCOhio]

So much more to share from Bordeaux!! Loved this city during our first visit to this famed part of France. Then in later posts, I will share more on the wine areas of Medoc, etc., that we visited. Don't go away. It was a big day of exploring and learning. Having a private guide who knows the area so well and can share much about wines really makes a huge, important difference. 

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

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Here are more sites and sights from in and around Bordeaux.  Like its classic style?? But, you will notice a very modern and new tram system around in this large city. They could not do a subway or underground here as the water-table is only about two feet below the street level. Virtually no basements in Bordeaux due to this factor. In recent years, the Mayor and City pushed for many of these limestone building to be cleaned, improving the "look"!! The third picture is of their main Cathedral. The fourth picture is of their well-known opera house or main theater.:

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In place of taking the time for a regular lunch in Bordeaux, we did a wine tasting and mini-educational session with Nicolle. We sampled four different wines from the area, learning the details as to the best ways to compare and understanding these different types. Plus, we had some great breads, cheeses, meats, etc. Super fun and enjoyable learning experience!!:

[TLCOhio]

Here are some visuals from visiting at the Las Cites du Vin in Bordeaux.  We did this tour with with Sharon and Rick from Pasadena. This new wine museum is located just north of main and historic downtown.  More wine learning, plus getting a better understanding for the amazing and twisted history of this area, etc. 

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

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Next was our visit to the new and very innovative La Cite du Vin. Like its unique style in being built with glass, concrete and steel like a wine decanter? This wine museum highlights wines from around the world, including so much about Bordeaux and its efforts to advance wine production and quality. At its top is an observation area and wine tasting area. More work in testing wines? Yes, that was our duty and job on this day! In this wine tasting and observation area, they had a special ceiling made up of hanging glass wine bottles. The third picture is of the new bridge in Bordeaux that rises up in a different way to allow large ship to pass under and return back towards the Atlantic Ocean. The fourth picture shows a unique wine sales area with bottles available from all over the world.:

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[TLCOhio]

After leaving the city of Bordeaux, below is more "immersion" into this famed wine region that rated by some as the BEST in the world.  Yes, it was amazing.  You want to experience BOTH Bordeaux and wine region. Cannot do one without the other. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

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With expert Nicole, we are now on our way to explore Médoc, one of Bordeaux area's top-rated wine region. It is also called the 'route de chateaux'. We would have more "education" as what it takes to produce top-level wines in this area where the soil make an important difference. Here it is a mix of gravel and sand, plus having the right/best slope, etc. We would have wine-tasting at Château Pontet Canet with its classification of grand cru classé pauillac. They use an innovative biodynamic method here. We also saw some of the most famous châteaux through the villages of St Julien, Pauillac and St Estephe. See the examples of these fantastic chateaux's? Then in mid June, here is an example for the current size of these grapes in the growing cycle.:

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Here are three visuals from being at and touring Château Pontet Canet. This includes its large production barrels, tanks, etc. Sharon is shown with one of the large concrete tanks that are being used to replace some of the type made with stainless steel.:

 

 

[TLCOhio]

In the Bordeaux areas, one key "info item" is that there are 7,000 different producers of wine products. Many of them are fairly small. Lots of marketing challenges in making a name, getting sales, connecting with audiences in such a highly-competitive business, etc. 

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

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Here are more visuals from our private tour at the highly-rated Château Pontet Canet, what their bottled look like as we did a sampling there. Retail on that bottle that we enjoyed was 150 euro. Their price has gone up significantly for 2009 and 2010 as their biodynamic techniques are produced major market success.:

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Next door to Château Pontet Canet, are two other wine locations that have ownerships connected with the famed Rothschild family. One is owned now by the British side of the family. The other is controlled by the French side of the Rothschilds. The one pictured in the background is Chateau Lafite Rothschild. We were in the tops of the best locations for growing great grapes and wines! Very impressive locations and operations, especially when you see the interiors and what it takes to set-up/organize these facilities.:

 

After this busy trip to Bordeaux, did we make it back to the Silver Spirit?? And were we happy??  YES!!  Need evidence/proof? See below with our guide, Nicole, you can see Sharon, Rick and my wife, Penny, on the right.:

[TLCOhio]

From the Wall Street Journal in late June, 2017, they did have this headline: “An Insider’s Guide to Touring the French City of Bordeaux” with these highlights: “Sprawling vineyards, cavernous wine cellars, formal, interminable meals—that’s Bordeaux, right? Yes, but that’s only half the bottle. France’s fifth largest city, Bordeaux rivals Paris when it comes to historical monuments. Among the most notable head-turners: the 15th-century Porte Cailhau, a turreted gate that marks an entrance to the old city, and the imposing Place de la Bourse, built by Louis XV’s architect and livened up considerably with the 2006 addition of the Miroir d’eau (water mirror), a 37,000-square-foot reflecting pool that turns into a spritzing fountain every summer. The city’s newest architectural standout, the year-old La Cité du Vin, is a high-tech wine museum, whose bulbous, gold exterior mimics a glass in mid-swish. Starting this month, the train trip from Paris will clock in at just over two hours, making it even easier to build a few days in Bordeaux”

 

Fortunately, I am a WSJ subscriber, but for others, sorry, their website has a pesky paywall. If you are planning an upcoming Bordeaux trip, it might be worth checking your library for access to this highly-detailed profile and these many helpful tips, options, potentials, etc. Below are a few sample visuals from their published report. Overall, they had 18 pictures featured, plus a wide variety of tips, places to visit, dining/drinking ideas, shopping spots, etc., from four local Bordeaux experts. 

 

Here is a little more from their profile on one of the top Bordeaux locations that we visited last month: "La Cité du Vin: The top-floor tasting room at the city’s new wine museum grants a panoramic view of the city over the Garonne River. 134-150 quai de Bacalan, laciteduvin.com"

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/an-insiders-guide-to-touring-the-french-city-of-bordeaux-1498585651?tesla=y

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

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Here are some key visual highlights from the Wall Street Journal profile on Bordeaux. Second is one of the nice night photo of the creative/innovative La Cité du Vin structure. Third is an outdoor market within Bordeaux. Fourth is their Le Jardin Public on a busy Sunday.:

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[TLCOhio]

Regarding Nicolle Croft, she was our super great expert tour guide. Wonderful!! Maybe the best guide we have ever experienced. Super great day with her and Rick and Sharon from California!! You can reach and find Nicole at: 

www.wineguidebordeaux.com

Email: nicolle@sip-wines.com

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

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From Bordeaux's Place de la Bourse, it was built from 1730 to 1775 by Louis XV’s architect, Ange-Jacques Gabriel. This elegant square has symbolised the city of Bordeaux for centuries and was key in the city's development, trade and image. The equestrian statue of the king originally there was replaced by one of Napoleon, followed by the Fountain of the Three Graces in 1869. The 2006 addition of the Miroir d’eau (water mirror) is described as the world's largest reflecting pool, covering 37,100 square feet and is located on the quay of the Garonne.:

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This is the City Hall building in Bordeaux with the French and Europe flags shown. Notice the wind blowing in different directions? This structure is right near the main Cathedral in Bordeaux.:

 

Here is the structure above one of the historic gates along the old wall system in Bordeaux. It is the bell and clock of the Grosse Cloche gate in Saint James street in Old Bordeaux. Parts of it go back to the 13th century.:

 

This is the top part of the Monument aux Girondins. It is on the western end of the Place des Quinconces and stands at 177 feet high. It was built between 1894 and 1902 to commemorate the Girondists who suffered the guillotine during the Revolution period of French history.:

 

Finally, on the top floor of the high-tech, year-old La Cité du Vin, my wife and I are toasting and tasting some of the wine from this excellent region. Notice the many wine bottles used to cover the ceiling area at this scenic, eighth-floor location:

Edited June 3, 2019 by TLCOhio

[TLCOhio]

Here are a few more additional views from visiting in and around the historic Bordeaux area of SW France. 

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

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From Bordeaux, here are three additional views of their main, historic downtown areas, the architecture, etc. Very classy town!!:

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From the nearby Bordeaux wine areas, here are some additional views from our experiences there. In the second picture, it shows how the soil here is mostly gravel and sand. Seems like bad growing conditions, but that type of "soil" actually works best to produce the best grapes. The final picture shows smiles from testing the wine at this location. It is hard work doing these tasting, but somebody must volunteer for these efforts.:

 

 

[TLCOhio]

From September 15, 2017, Wall Street Journal, they have this part of a headline: “Time Is Ripe for Bordeaux” with these highlights: “Southwestern France have emerged from the cellar of the recession, thanks to its culinary and cultural offerings and a high-speed train to Paris”.

 

This profile is much about real estate and home buying in this region, but there are also many visuals and details to consider if planning to visiting Bordeaux. In June, we super loved our first visit there and this story brings back nice memories from being there. 

 

Also detailed in this report is about: "the launch of a new high-speed train in July, which has cut travel times for the 360-mile journey to Paris to just over two hours."  This story detailed about how much has changed about Bordeaux during the past decade. Then, there its famed history. This includes: "Bordeaux’s global fame stems from its wine industry, which dates back to the third century. It has around 287,000 acres of vineyards and produces almost a million bottles a year, ranging from table wines to some of the finest labels in the world: Châteaux Margaux, Lafite-Rothschild, Latour, Haut Brion and Mouton-Rothschild."

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-time-is-ripe-for-home-buyers-in-bordeaux-1505398113

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

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Here is a sampling of the many visuals that are a part of this Wall Street Journal profile on Bordeaux. First is the Place de la Bourse, a popular square in Bordeaux built between 1730 and 1775 and located near the Garonne River. Second is the ‘Miroir d’eau’ (water . mirror), a reflecting pool on the docks in the center of Bordeaux. Third is the crowds in front of the city’s Opera National de Bordeaux and Grand-Theatre. Fourth is a view of the city’s Cathedrale Saint-Andre de Bordeaux, consecrated in 1096. Fifth is Place du Parlement, a square in the heart of central Bordeaux. Finally is one of the modern trams cutting across Bordeaux’s ancient cobbles.:

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[TLCOhio]

Hope this is not too much information for Bordeaux.  BUT, I like to share much about this wonderful area of France.  From the London/UK Guardian June 25, 2018, they have this headline: “Locals’ guide to Bordeaux: 10 top tips” with these highlights: “Bordeaux is booming, with a high-speed train connection from Paris taking barely two hours, and visitors drawn here by a vibrant restaurant scene, some of the world’s most famous wines and the towering futuristic Cité du Vin. But this revitalised city has a lot more than food and wine, with an exciting alternative arts and music scene to discover.”

 

Brings back nice memories from being in Bordeaux two years ago. Here are more highlights from this profile:  "The two most authentic parts of Bordeaux are Les Capucins food market and Saint Michel flea market, with Au Bistrot sitting right between the two. This has been a popular neighbourhood eaterie for over a century, and the chef cooks at an open kitchen, creating old-fashioned dishes like boeuf braisé." 

 

Full story at:

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/jun/25/bordeaux-locals-guide-wine-food-arts-music-bars-clubs

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

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[MVPinBoynton]

You didn't need to post it all, since I read it yesterday before I replied.  It is excellent info and I am looking forward to seeing it in person.

[TLCOhio]

23 minutes ago, MVPinBoynton said:

You didn't need to post it all, since I read it yesterday before I replied.  It is excellent info and I am looking forward to seeing it in person.

 

Happy to hear that you were able to read most of this content from my original live/blog.  I posted those key highlights and visuals on this thread to make it easier for others doing research for a future trip to Bordeaux.  On a live/blog, all is not put together in a perfect, complete order.  Happy to answer any added questions.  Keep doing the research and planning.  There is so much in and around Bordeaux, that you cannot just "arrive", walk off of the ship and hope that it comes together easy and ideally.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For latest live/blog, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Connect at:

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[Stickman1990]

On ‎6‎/‎4‎/‎2019 at 1:05 AM, TLCOhio said:

Happy to answer any added questions.  Keep doing the research and planning.  There is so much in and around Bordeaux, that you cannot just "arrive", walk off of the ship and hope that it comes together easy and ideally

 

Thanks for posting this - very helpful

 

I've reached out to Nicole re her tour - but how did you cover the non wine aspects of touring around Bordeaux - did you use another guide for that or just walk around? We're interested in both Food and Wine tours and experiences while visiting. If you used another guide can you share their details

[TLCOhio]

4 hours ago, Stickman1990 said:

I've reached out to Nicole re her tour - but how did you cover the non wine aspects of touring around Bordeaux - did you use another guide for that or just walk around? We're interested in both Food and Wine tours and experiences while visiting. If you used another guide can you share their details

 

Great follow-up question and interest.  Yes, Nicole is super excellent with her incredible wine depth of knowledge and expertise.  She kind of says that she is not that skilled for history, food, etc.  She prefers to focus on wine and those related tours.  BUT, she was wonderful for us about this incredible area's history, food, etc.  Unless you are needing and desiring a Ph.D level of food touring, Nicole will work very well in also doing food, etc.  Much depends as to how "specialized" and deep you need and desire for food, etc.  Does this help?  Need more?

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

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