Bordeaux: Wine Tasting with Cheese & Charcuterie in Bastide

Summary

Sample six Bordeaux wines with local pairings in a historic stone cellar

You’ll join local wine experts in Bordeaux’s Bastide district for a relaxed tasting of six wines paired with regional cheeses and charcuterie. Expect friendly guidance through left bank vs right bank flavors, hands-on pairing tips, and time to chat in a cozy stone-walled room or private courtyard. It’s less formal class than shared table — you’ll leave with new favorites (and maybe some notes for home).

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the place at first — the Bastide district isn’t where I’d usually expect a wine tasting in Bordeaux. My phone tried to send me over the bridge twice, but finally I spotted the old stone building tucked behind a little courtyard. There was this faint smell of rain on warm pavement and something savory drifting out from inside. Mathilde waved me in, smiling like she knew how lost I’d just been (maybe she did).

Inside, it felt more like someone’s living room than a classroom — rough stone walls, mismatched chairs, and a table already set with glasses and slices of cheese that looked too pretty to touch. Cécilia started us off gently, asking what we actually liked about wine (I panicked and said “red,” which got a laugh). She walked us through six Bordeaux wines — two whites so different I had to double-check they were both from here, three reds (one was this earthy blend that tasted like autumn leaves), and then a soft one at the end that made me pause before reaching for the cheese again.

The best bit? Nobody talked down to us. When I mixed up “left bank” and “right bank,” Mathilde just grinned and pointed toward the Pont de Pierre outside — “That’s your compass.” At one point, someone asked about pairing rules, and instead of lecturing, Cécilia handed around cured ham and let us try bites with each glass. The booklet they gave us is still tucked in my bag; I keep meaning to look at it again when I open something at home.

It wasn’t fancy or stiff — just good wine, good food, and people who really wanted you to enjoy yourself. The whole Bastide area feels like it’s changing fast, but for an hour or two there, it was just laughter echoing off old stone walls and that quiet hum you get when everyone’s tasting something new together. I still think about that last sip.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bordeaux wine tasting and pairing

• Arrive at Bastide district tasting room
• Learn Bordeaux wine history and appellations
• Taste 6 selected Bordeaux wines
• Discover food and wine pairing secrets
• Receive tasting booklet for home practice

Top questions

Where does the Bordeaux wine tasting take place?

The tasting is held in the Bastide district on the right bank of Bordeaux, about 200 meters from Pont de Pierre.

How many wines are included in the tasting?

You’ll taste six Bordeaux wines: one mystery wine, two dry whites, three reds, and one soft.

Is food included during the wine tasting?

Yes, regional cheese and charcuterie are served as pairings with the wines.

Are guides or hosts professional wine experts?

Yes, Mathilde and Cécilia are both trained professionals from the University of Wine.

Is this Bordeaux wine tasting suitable for beginners?

Absolutely—the experience is designed as an accessible introduction for all levels.

Can I buy any of the wines after the tasting?

Yes, bottles of the wines tasted are available for sale onsite.

Where do tastings take place if it rains?

Tastings may be held indoors in their converted room or cellar depending on weather.

Is transportation provided to the venue?

No pickup is included; public transport options are nearby.

What’s included

Your day includes guided tasting of six carefully selected Bordeaux wines—both reds and whites—paired with regional cheeses and charcuterie in a cozy Bastide district venue. You’ll receive a tasting booklet to take home so you can keep exploring flavors on your own later.