ANNUAL EVENTS IN BORDEAUX
What's on 2010
Info on Bordeaux website
FEBRUARY 2010
BORDEAUX Neige 2010 Tour
February 2-19, in important European ski resorts. The Bordeaux Snow Tour will be officially launched on Europe's highest glacier in Val Thorens, on February 3. At the Bordeaux winter village, wine tasting sessions will be offered, in the presence of winemakers. (Info: www.planete-bordeaux.fr)
BLAYE Tastings
February 4-5, in about 50 restaurants. Nearly 40 winemakers from the Premières Côtes de Blaye appellation will present their wines for tastings in bistros and restaurants located in the Bordeaux region. (Info: http://www.blaye-au-comptoir.com)
MARCH 2010
Fair of Independent Vintners' (Salon des vignerons indépendants)
March 12-14, at the Parc des expositions, Bordeaux. WIth your INAO glass in hand provided to you at the entrance, independent French winemakers will greet you as they would at their estate. (Info: www.vigneron-independant.com)
Wine tasters' training MOULIS
March 19, La Winery. Training of 2010 wine tasters (10 am-12 pm) and presentation of Futures & deliverable wines (cocktail begins at 12:30 pm to 3 pm) of AOC Moulis wines. (Info: www.moulis.com)
BORDEAUX Futures
March 29 to April 1st. Futures campaign for the 2009 vintage. (For professionals only).
APRIL 2010
BORDEAUX Futures
March 29 to April 1st. Futures campaign for the 2009 vintage. (For professionals only).
Spring in BLAYE
April 10-11, Citadelle de Blaye, Blaye. Over 95 winegrowers from the Premières Côtes de Blaye appellation welcome you on their estate to present their vintages. (Info:www.aoc-blaye.com)
Vineyard Visits & Tastings MEDOC
April 10-11. Estates of the Médoc, Haut-Médoc and communal appellations open their doors for visits and tastings. (Info: www.medoc-bordeaux.com)
Challenge International du Vin
April 16-17, Bourg sur Gironde. (Info: www.challengeduvin.com)
Gourmet Trips PREMIERES COTES de BORDEAUX-CADILLAC
April 17-18, finale of the gastronomy contest, "l'Accord Parfait", wine tasting workshops for beginners, cooking classes, gourmet visits through the estates, meals at the châteaux.
Vineyard Visits & Tastings LALANDE DE POMEROL
April 24-25. The estates of Lalande-de-Pomerol open their doors for visits and tastings. (Info: www.lalande-pomerol.com)
MAY 2010
Vineyard Visits & Tastings SAINT-EMILION, LUSSAC-SAINT-EMILION, PUISSEGUIN-SAINT-EMILION
May 1-2. The estates of Saint-Emilion, Lussac and Puisseguin open their doors for visits and tastings. (Info: www.vins-saint-emilion.com)
Marathon in PREMIERES COTES DE BLAYE
May 8. A marathon that allwos you to discover the region and those estates who will open their doors for the event. (Info: www.marathon-cotes-de-blaye.com)
Vineyard Visits & Tastings COTES DE BOURG
May 8-9. Over 100 châteaux open their doors to wine amateurs for visits and tastings. (Info: www.cotes-de-bourg.com)
Oenovidéo Festival MOULIS
May 13-16, participate in the Oenovidéo Festival to see the musical film on the Moulis appellation, entitled "Quittons la grand'route", directed by Jofo. (Info: www.moulis.com)
National rallye SAINT-EMILION
May 14-16. Every year, this rallye, founded in 1991, attracts an ever-growing number of teams from France and other countries. During this long weekend, they discover the region through 3 magnificient timed challenges, the beauty of which has become renown. (Info: www.vins-saint-emilion.com)
Vintage Car Trips PREMIERES COTES de BORDEAUX-CADILLAC
May 22-23. Over 50 châteaux will welcome the public for a number of activities: thematic walks, games, exhibitions and tastings, as well an exhibition of over 100 vintage cars, which will drive through the region. (Info:www.premierescotesdebordeaux.com)
BORDEAUX goes green : Plant & Wine Market
May 22-23, at Planète Bordeaux. Winemakers from the Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur appellations, horticulturists and nursery owners present their products, offer tasting and plantation advice to all amateurs. (Info: www.planete-bordeaux.net)
Vinexpo ASIA
May 25-27, Hong Kong (for professionals only). International wine and spirits fair. (Infos : http://www.vinexpo.com/)
The MEDOCAINE
May 29, Médoc. A day of relaxation and moutain-biking in the Médoc vineyards. (Info:www.medocainevtt.com)
JUNE 2010
Tasting WEEKEND DES GRANDS AMATEURS
June 5-6, tasting in Hangar 14, Bordeaux. A weekend dedicated to Grands Crus amateurs, combining an exceptional tasting of over 100 Grands Crus, dinners in châteaux in the company of the owners, and a day touring Bordeaux vineyards. (Info & reservations: www.wga-ugcb.com)
Concert PREMIERS COTES de BORDEAUX-CADILLAC
June 15. Classical music concert with internationally renown artists, including Patrick Zygmanoswki and Tamayo Ikeda. (Info: www.premierescotesdebordeaux.com)
Spring Festivities of the jurade of SAINT-EMILION
June 18-20, in Saint-Emilion. Art exhibitions, activities around wine and the vineyard, concerts, dinners in the Cardinal Palace moat, lightshow at the heart of the medieval town of saint-Emilion. (Info: www.vins-saint-emilion.com)
BORDEAUX fête le Vin
June 24-27, along the Bordeaux waterfront. International public event dedicated to the wines of Bordeaux and Aquitaine, organised every 2 years. The wines of Bordeaux and Aquitaine will be presented along a 2km wine road along the Garonne River. The 2010 edition will celebrate the region's gastronomy. (Info: www.bordeaux-fete-le-vin.com).
Oenologist Congress BORDEAUX
June 24-26. Oenologists from France will assemble in Bordeaux during the Fête du Vin for its 50th Congress, the theme of which will be "Oenologists, guardians of sustainable development". (Info: http://www.oenologuesdefrance.fr/).
Symposium Master of Wines BORDEAUX
June 24-27, Cité Mondiale de Bordeaux, Bordeaux. The symposium « Forging links » will be a forum to reflect upon, discuss and debate on the important links which exist within the international wine industry. This event is open to all. Pour plus d'informations, visitezMasters of Wine Symposium ou contacter Clive Barlow MW à clivewine@aol.com.
International SAUVIGNON Contest
June 25-26, open to winemakers from around the world. Contest organised by the Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur wine association, with the participation of Denis Dubourdieu, professor at Bordeaux's Faculty of Oenology. (Info:www.cmsauvignon.com)
JULY 2010
SAINT-EMILION Bike Tour
July 3.
COTES DE BOURG Trail
Organisation of a nature race (2 loops of 14km and 25km) during which participants can discover the countryside and wines of the Bourg region. (Info:www.albsathle.free.fr, info@cotes-de-bourg.com)
Tour de France
July 24. This year, the Tour de France will pass through the châteaux road of the Médoc, between Pauillac and Bordeaux (www.letour.fr)
AUGUST 2010
Strolls through CADILLAC
August 20-22. Producers' market on Friday, at la Closière, tasting workshops, strolls through the châteaux to listen to live concerts, drive through the vineyards in vintage American cars, VIP events, street activities). (Info: 05 56 62 12 92 orhttp://baladesencadillac.free.fr)
SEPTEMBER 2010
Harvest Launch by the Jurade de SAINT-EMILION
September 13, in Saint-Emilion, Lussac-Saint-Emilion, Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion. In the tradtion of the Jurade of 1199, the jurats of Saint Emilion will open their cellar doors and estates during these two days of festivities. (Info: www.vins-saint-emilion.com)
Historical Walks PREMIERES COTES DE BORDEAUX & CADILLAC
September 18-19, through the châteaux. Châteaux visits, wine tasting, tasting workshops for beginners. (Info: Office de Tourisme de l’Entre-Deux-Mers 05 56 61 82 73 ; info@entredeuxmers.com)
Marathon du MEDOC
September 11. 26th edition of the Marathon du Médoc, which combines sports with fun and conviviality. Participants runs through more than 50 estates each offering refreshments of all kinds and as many tasting opportunities (Info:www.marathondumedoc.com)
OCTOBER 2010
Harvest Weekend in PREMIERES COTES DE BORDEAUX & CADILLAC
October 8-9. Winemaking & cultural discoveries: participate in the harvest, visit and stay at the estates, taste wines and enjoy local meals, visit the fortified town of Cadillac and a Gallo-Roman villa. (Info: Office de Tourisme de l’Entre-Deux-Mers 05 56 61 82 73, info@entredeuxmers.com)
Mégavino BRUSSELS
October 22-25, Exhibition Center, Brussels. Consumer and professional wine fair. (Info:http://www.megavino.be)
Wine & Dine Festival HONG KONG
October 30-November 1, Hong Kong. A spectacular gathering of wine, food, music and fun. This festive event will showcase wines from national and international wineries paired with food from local restaurants and feature colourful culinary personalities. (Info: http://www.wineanddinefestival.hk/)
NOVEMBER 2010
Wine & Dine Festival HONG KONG
October 30-November 1, Hong Kong. A spectacular gathering of wine, food, music and fun. This festive event will showcase wines from national and international wineries paired with food from local restaurants and feature colourful culinary personalities. (Info: http://www.wineanddinefestival.hk/)
Vineyard Visits & Tastings MARGAUX
November 19-21, châteaux and stores of the Margaux appellation open their doors for visits, activities and tastings. (Info: www.medoc-tourisme.com)
Throughout the year:
Portes Ouvertes are held in wine appellations, where chateaux open their doors to the public and put on special exhibitions, musical events and tastings. Details from each individual appellation, such as the Maison des Vins de Pauillac or Maison des Vins de Graves, or from the CIVB website, www.bordeaux.com
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
There are 11 public holidays in France.
Jour de L'An, New Year's Day (1 January)
Lundi de Paques, Easter Monday (April 5 2010)
F ête du Travail, Labour Day (1 May)
Victoire 1945, Second World War Armistice (8 May)
Ascension (25 May 2010)
Lundi de Pentecôte, Whit Monday (June 5 2010)
Bastille Day/F ête National, national holiday commemorating the French Revolution (14 July)
Assomption, Assumption (15 August)
Touissant, All Saints Day (1 November)
Armistice 1918, First World War Armistice (11 November)
Noel, Christmas Day (25 December)
On these days government departments, banks, shops and even some restaurants are closed. And bear in mind that if a public holiday falls on a Thursday or a Tuesday, people often like to faire le pont (bridge over) and take a four-day weekend.