Wine tasting in Bordeaux without a day trip: classes, cheese cellar and museum
4 min read
The answer first
You do not need a day trip to taste Bordeaux wine. For most visitors the best fit is the wine masterclass with cheese and cold cuts: 1.5 hours, 6 wines including a Bordeaux Grand Cru, €39 per person, rated 4.9/5 from 204 reviews. If you want less wine or more food, there are four other formats.
The five options
- Masterclass, 6 wines (€39). One white and three reds, then a blind tasting of two Grands Vins from the left and right bank, with a charcuterie and cheese board and baguette. It takes place close to the Grand Théâtre. The page says content is adapted to your level.
- Wine tasting class, 3 wines (€29). The same provider, one hour, one white and two reds including a Grand Cru, with cheese and charcuterie. The shorter choice if you are short on time.
- Guided tasting class with 6 wines and pairings (€39). 75 minutes, limited to 6 participants, at 25 Avenue Thiers, with a mystery wine, two dry whites, three reds and a sweet wine, plus a booklet. Guides speak English, French, Spanish and Japanese. One reviewer warns not to come hungry because the food is small pairings.
- Cheese and wine tasting (€49). 1.5 hours in an 18th-century vaulted cellar under a restaurant, with 9 French AOP/AOC cheeses and 3 Bordeaux wines (dry white, red and Sauternes). The host speaks English. Grape juice is provided for guests under 18, and the page lists pregnant women as not suitable.
- Wine and Trade Museum with tasting (€12). A visit of two vaulted cellars from around 1720, a presentation of the vineyards and 2 wines with raisins dorés and canelés. Groups are limited to 9.
Age rules
The 6-wine Olala masterclass says children under 16 are not allowed; the 3-wine class lists them as not suitable, and both exclude unaccompanied minors. The cheese tasting does not admit children under 4 and offers grape juice for under-18s, so it is the one to look at with teenagers.
What this does not replace
These are classes in a room, not visits to a vineyard. If you want vines and cellars, read about Saint-Émilion or Médoc. A glass at the Cité du Vin is a separate thing, as in our Cité du Vin guide.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a framework: appellations, grape varieties and blends, as the class pages describe.
- Rainy days: all five have an indoor room; only the 75-minute class moves to a patio in some seasons.
- Travellers without a car.
It suits less well anyone who wants a long meal. For that, our page on Bordeaux food tours is the better place to look.
Side by side
| Tour | Duration | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| Masterclass, 6 wines | 1.5 hours | €39 |
| Tasting class, 3 wines | 1 hour | €29 |
| Tasting class, 6 wines and pairings | 75 minutes | €39 |
| Cheese and wine tasting | 1.5 hours | €49 |
| Wine and Trade Museum with tasting | — | €12 |
Our recommendation
Book the 6-wine masterclass if you want to learn, or the 3-wine class if you have an hour. See all options in our overview of wine tasting in Bordeaux.
