The Bordeaux Tasting Event
France’s Premier Wine Festival
Every December, one of the world’s great wine cities puts on its finest show. Here is everything you need to know about attending.
A Wine Festival Unlike Anything Else in France
If you have been searching for a “Bordeaux wine festival,” a “wine fair in France,” or simply the best place to taste world-class wines in one room, you have found it. The Bordeaux Tasting is the region’s flagship consumer wine event, held annually in December at the iconic Palais de la Bourse.
Organized by Terre de Vins, France’s leading wine media brand, the event brings together more than 130 producers from every major Bordeaux appellation alongside Champagne houses, Cognac distillers, and international wine producers.
Unlike trade shows or private tastings that require credentials to attend, the Bordeaux Tasting is open to serious wine lovers and curious newcomers alike. You simply buy a ticket, walk into one of the most beautiful historic buildings in southern France, and spend two days tasting your way through the entire world of Bordeaux.
No set itinerary. No time limits. Just you, a glass, and 130 producers who have come to share their best wines with people who care.
“It is one thing to visit a château. It is another thing entirely to walk into a room where Château Pichon Baron, Clos Fourtet, Smith Haut Lafitte, and Château d’Yquem are all pouring at the same time — and you have two full days to get around to all of them.”
See What the Bordeaux Tasting Looks Like
Get a feel for the atmosphere, the venue, and the scale of the event before you go.
What to Expect at the Palais de la Bourse
The event is organized around themed pavilions spread across the building’s grand rooms and salons. Each offers a different experience, and most visitors cycle through all of them over the two days.
Pavillon Vins Français
The heart of the event. Bordeaux producers from every appellation — Médoc, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Sauternes, Graves, and more — pour across multiple rooms of the Palais.
Pavillon Champagnes
More than 20 Champagne producers in the Espace Miroir d’Eau. A personal favorite, and a room that is hard to leave.
Pavillon Vins Étrangers
A selection of around 15 wines from outside France, open on Saturday. A nice contrast to a weekend otherwise dominated by Bordeaux and Champagne.
Pavillon Spiritueux
Cognac, Armagnac, whisky, and rum. The Cognac and Armagnac tables are particularly special given how close the region sits to Bordeaux.
Food & Chill Lounge
Local food vendors, casual seating, and a relaxed atmosphere for taking a break between tasting rooms. A good spot to compare notes over regional charcuterie.
Masterclass Theatre
Ticketed and free workshops running throughout both days. Past sessions have included vertical tastings with Château Pavie, Château d’Yquem, and Laurent-Perrier.
Educational Wine Experiences at Every Level
One of the most underrated parts of the Bordeaux Tasting is its program of expert-led workshops and masterclasses. Whether you are a seasoned collector or someone still learning the difference between a Pauillac and a Pomerol, there is a session worth attending.
Free workshops (registration required, around 45 minutes) cover regional typicity, food pairing, and varietal focus. Paid masterclasses go deeper, often featuring vertical tastings of rare vintages led by the producers themselves.
Past masterclass highlights
- 01Château Pichon Baron, Clos Fourtet & Smith Haut Lafitte — three Bordeaux legends in one session, led by the estates themselves
- 02Château Pavie vertical 2003–2022 — nearly two decades of one of Saint-Émilion’s most iconic Grand Cru properties
- 03Château d’Yquem — the thousand facets of noble rot, tasting through multiple vintages of the world’s most celebrated sweet wine
- 04Riedel glass workshop — does the shape of your glass change how a wine tastes? A session worth attending to find out.
- 05Champagne Henriot & Laurent-Perrier — exploring the expression of time, terroir, and house style across multiple prestige cuvées
The 2026 program has not yet been announced. Bordeaux Wine Vacations monitors availability and can include masterclass tickets as part of your tour package.
Sample Workshop Schedule (Based on Previous Editions)
Free workshops run throughout both days on a repeating schedule. Spots fill quickly — advance registration is strongly recommended.
| Time | Workshop |
|---|---|
| 11:45 am | Typicity of Pinot Noir in Champagne — tasting with Champagne de Vignerons |
| 1:00 pm | Côtes du Rhône whites: cool-climate freshness and aromatic range |
| 3:30 pm | Champagne and chocolate pairings — Champagne de Vignerons |
| 4:45 pm | Côtes du Rhône reds: structure, tannin, and the warm south |
Schedule is illustrative based on previous editions. The 2026 program will be confirmed closer to the event.
How Most Visitors Spend Their Time
There is no set route through the Bordeaux Tasting. The experience is self-directed and unhurried. Here is how a typical well-paced day tends to unfold.
Doors open
Early entry gives you the clearest palate and the best access to popular producers before queues build. Head to the Bordeaux pavilion first.
Morning tasting — Bordeaux pavilion
Two hours with the Bordeaux producers. Work through appellations, or follow your own curiosity. Producers are genuinely happy to talk, especially early in the day.
Lunch break — Food & Chill lounge
Local vendors serve regional food. A good moment to rest the palate, compare notes, and plan the afternoon.
Afternoon masterclass + Champagne pavilion
Attend a workshop if you registered, then move into the Champagne room. Twenty-plus houses in one space is a rare opportunity.
Spirits pavilion + final lap
End the afternoon with Cognac and Armagnac before a final pass through any producers you want to revisit.
Doors close
The event wraps at 6 pm. Your guide can recommend the right restaurant for dinner depending on the mood.
Tickets, Dates & Venue
The 2026 Bordeaux Tasting takes place on Saturday December 12 and Sunday December 13, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm each day. The event is held at the Palais de la Bourse, one of Bordeaux’s most iconic 18th-century buildings, on the waterfront in the heart of the city.
Tickets are purchased directly through the Terre de Vins website. Bordeaux Wine Vacations can handle ticket booking as part of an all-inclusive December tour — no need to navigate the French-language ticketing system yourself.
What You Need to Know Before You Go
Is this event suitable for wine beginners?
Absolutely. The Bordeaux Tasting welcomes everyone from seasoned collectors to first-time wine travelers. Producers are used to explaining their wines to a wide range of visitors, and the free workshops are designed with curious newcomers in mind. You do not need to know your Margaux from your Merlot to have an extraordinary time.
Do I need to speak French?
Most producers have at least some English, and the larger estates often staff their tables with English-speaking representatives specifically because of the event’s international audience. That said, having a French-speaking guide with you makes the experience significantly richer — you get the full conversation, not just the basics.
Is December a good time for a full wine tour?
Yes. The châteaux are open and quieter in winter, which often means more personal, less rushed visits. The Christmas market in Bordeaux runs throughout December, and the restaurants are at their seasonal best. It is a genuinely different experience from spring or summer touring, and one that many guests prefer for its relaxed pace.
Can I visit châteaux outside the Tasting event?
This is exactly what Bordeaux Wine Vacations is built for. We build a full program of château visits, guided tastings, and gourmet lunches around the two event days, so the Bordeaux Tasting becomes the highlight of a complete wine vacation rather than a standalone day trip.
How do I get to the Palais de la Bourse?
The Palais de la Bourse is in the center of Bordeaux, within walking distance of most good hotels. If you prefer not to worry about logistics on the day, your private guide and driver will handle all transfers as part of your tour program.
What is included in a wine tour built around this event?
A full December tour with Bordeaux Wine Vacations typically includes private château visits across the Médoc, Graves, Sauternes, Fronsac, Pomerol, and Saint-Émilion, Tasting event tickets for both days, gourmet lunches, luxury hotel accommodations, and private transfers throughout. Everything is arranged in advance so you arrive and simply enjoy.
Let Us Build Your December Bordeaux Itinerary
The Bordeaux Tasting is a two-day event. The rest of the week? That is where we come in. We build private, custom itineraries around the event dates so that your entire December trip feels cohesive, well-paced, and taken care of from start to finish.
- Bordeaux Tasting tickets included — both days
- Private château visits across all major appellations
- Gourmet lunches, fine dining, and a Michelin-star farewell dinner
- 5-star hotels with daily breakfasts, all booked and confirmed
- Private guide and luxury Mercedes-class transportation throughout
- Free days built in for the Christmas market and city exploration
- Airport and train station transfers, beginning to end
- Group discount of 10% for parties of four or more
Request Your December Itinerary
Or reach Daniel directly: (828) 278-8070 · daniel@bordeauxwinevacations.com
Event details based on prior editions of Bordeaux Tasting organized by Terre de Vins. 2026 program and pricing to be confirmed. Bordeaux Wine Vacations is not affiliated with Terre de Vins.
