Bordeaux and wine go together like England and fish and chips or America and jelly and ice cream – with its legendary wine scene showcased at a number of welcoming bars.
The heart of southwestern France’s world-famous wine-growing region, the picturesque port city attracts huge numbers of visitors, many of whom are drawn here by the chance to sample some of the finest wines on earth. Beyond its verdant vineyards, the city itself is also home to a wide choice of wine bars serving both local tipples and wines hailing from far and wide. If you’d like to hunker down in a Bordeaux wine bar with nothing to do but imbibe till your heart’s content, here are five to pick from.
Le Bar à Vin
Le Bar à Vin is one of Bordeaux’s classic addresses for anyone eager to discover the region without leaving the city centre. The bar is located inside the Maison du Vin across from the Grand Theatre and combines modernity with the character and charm of an 18th-century setting. The list of wines is changed regularly to offer 30 Bordeaux wines by the glass, including reds, dry whites, sweet whites, rosés, clairets and crémants. A selection of gourmet dishes are also available to help line the stomach. For a sophisticated presentation of Bordeaux’s wine-based diversity, it is difficult to do better.
3 Cr du 30 Juillet
ComplanTerra
As well as being a historical wine-making destination, Bordeaux is also at the cutting edge of the trends in organic, biodynamic, and natural wines. And at the vanguard of these burgeoning wine genres is ComplanTerra – a wine bar, wine shop and tasting workshop all in one. Nestled in the Saint Paul district of Bordeaux, the outlet specialises in wines made using environmentally and human-friendly viticultural methods, with a selection of around twenty wines available by the glass for tasting, and about 400 bottles available to take away or savour on-site.
42 Rue Sainte-Colombe
YARRA
Part wine bar, part wine shop, YARRA has become a much loved destination for wine lovers in Bordeaux and beyond. Situated in the city centre, it offers an enticing selection of natural wines that can be both sampled on-site or purchased as bottles to take away with you. While the bar specialises in French wines, its provenance is actually strongly linked with the other side of the world, with the bar owned by an Australian and its name inspired by an iconic Australian wine producing region.
18 Rue Notre Dame
Cornichon
When it comes to prestigious settings in Bordeaux, you won’t find anywhere better than Cornichon, situated along the iconic 1 Quai Richelieu. One of the more recent additions to the city’s wine scene, the charming bar celebrates France’s rich wine heritage with its huge assortment of domestic labels, all set against a backdrop of timeless French tunes and upbeat rhythms, helping make it one of Bordeaux’s must-visit spots for wine aficionados. An atmospheric vaulted cellar and a spacious terrace add to the appeal.
1 Quai Richelieu
Le Métropolitain
Whether your penchant is for white, red or rosé, and whether your palate skews towards a Bordeaux, a Burgundy or virtually any wine region around the world, there’s something for every taste and inclination at Le Métropolitain. Located along a central boulevard in the historic centre of Bordeaux, the bar is especially noted for its organic and biodynamic wines, but it is the international selection that lure most of its patrons into its cosy, welcoming confines. The wine list is curated by the in-house sommeliers and features an impressive selection of 180 distinct wine labels, giving guests plenty of scope to explore both familiar favourites and something a little different.
49 Cours d’Alsace-et-Lorraine