For wine connoisseurs, a journey on board your Scenic Space-Ship, cruising along the Gironde, Garonne and Dordogne rivers, is an immersive experience. Only with Scenic can you cruise this region over 11 days, and you'll visit top vineyards, learn about the winemaking process of this revered wine region and sample some of the finest bold notes Bordeaux has to offer.

Before you embark on your ultra-luxury, all-inclusive river cruise, explore our guide to learn everything you need to know about the rich history of Bordeaux wine.

1. The origins of Bordeaux wine
2. Wine regions in Bordeaux
3. Is all Bordeaux wine from Bordeaux?
4. Grape varieties and wine styles
5. Pairing Bordeaux wine
6. Wine tours in Bordeaux
7. Bordeaux river cruises with Scenic

Wine production in Bordeaux has a rich history spanning nearly 2,000 years, dating back to the Roman era. The earliest evidence of vineyards in the region was recorded in 71 AD.

Although Bordeaux wine was well-regarded in France, it wasn't widely exported until the 12th century. This changed with the marriage of Henry Plantagenet and Aliénor d'Aquitaine. Aliénor's lands included the Bordeaux region, and when Henry became King Henry II, Bordeaux wine found a new market in England due to favourable trade deals.

The Hundred Years' War disrupted trade, and by its conclusion in 1453, the region had reverted to French control. During this period, Bordeaux began trading with Scotland as part of the Auld Alliance.

In the 17th century, Dutch traders drained the Médoc, making it suitable for viticulture. This transformation allowed the Médoc to become Bordeaux's most prestigious wine-producing area, with Malbec and later Cabernet Sauvignon emerging as the dominant grape varieties.

Embark on an exquisite journey through the rich history of wine at Bordeaux’s renowned La Cité du Vin. This extraordinary museum offers an immersive experience, guiding you through nearly 20 themed areas that explore the evolution of wine across various ages, cultures and civilisations.

As you meander through the museum, discover fascinating insights into wines from around the globe. Your visit culminates at La Cité du Vin’s Belvedere, where you will be captivated by breathtaking 360° views of Bordeaux while savouring a glass of world wine or organic grape juice.

You can visit La Cité du Vin as one of your Beautiful Bordeaux Scenic Freechoice excursions.

Bordeaux is home to many major wine regions, each distinguished by unique winemaking styles, grape varieties and terroirs. These regions are divided by the Gironde estuary, with some on the Left Bank and some on the Right Bank.

Left Bank

• The Médoc: Renowned as one of Bordeaux's most prestigious appellations, Médoc includes the famous appellations of Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe, and Saint-Julien. This region exclusively produces red wine.
• Graves: Celebrated as the birthplace of claret, Graves is characterised by its intensely gravelly soil, a legacy of glaciers that left behind white quartz deposits. Graves encompasses three sub-regions: Pessac-Léognan, Sauternes and Barsac, and produces both red and white wines.

Right Bank

• The Libournais: Dominating the Right Bank, the Libournais includes numerous appellations, with Pomerol and Saint-Émilion being the most renowned. This region produces red, white and rosé wines.
• Bourg & Blaye: As one of Bordeaux's oldest wine-producing areas, Bourg & Blaye began exporting wine even before the Médoc was planted. Merlot is the primary grape here, making the region famous for its red wines. Additionally, some white wines are produced, and the significant Sauvignon Blanc plantings contribute to sparkling wines and Ugni Blanc for Cognac.

To enjoy an authentic Bordeaux wine, it must be produced in the Bordeaux region of France. While other regions, such as those in South America, can produce wines that are similar in style and quality, they cannot be labelled as Bordeaux.

Bordeaux wines are made from a blend of several grape types, with each blend creating unique wine characteristics. The grapes predominantly used are: 

• Cabernet Franc
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Petit Verdot
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Sémillon

Bordeaux wine pairs exquisitely with many different dishes, but the key is selecting the right type of wine for each meal. Here are some examples:

• Lamb: A robust Bordeaux red from the Médoc is an ideal match for lamb dishes, whether it's roast lamb with greens or rich, spicy flavours of lamb tagine. The deep, assertive flavours and high tannins of the wine cleanse the palate of the lamb's richness.
• Steak: Another excellent pairing for a Médoc red. The high tannins complement the rich texture of the steak perfectly.
• Poultry: Pinot Noir with low tannins are a great choice for chicken and other poultry dishes.
• Pork: Pork pairs best with red wines that have soft tannins, particularly those from the Graves region. Dry white wines from Graves such as Sauvignon Blanc or Sémillon with floral fruity notes can also be a good match.
• Salads: Crisp, fruity and refreshing Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc wine pairs wonderfully with salads.
• Grilled Fish: Medium-bodied whites are a delightful match for grilled fish, while acidic whites pair best with fried fish.
• Oysters: Pair perfectly with crisp, acidic white wines. Sémillon is a fantastic choice.
• Scallops: Best enjoyed with light aromatic white wines - Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc are ideal pairings.
• Salmon: Unlike other seafood options, salmon can be best-enjoyed with a light to medium-weight red wine, such as Pinot Noir.

With your Scenic Freechoice excursions, join Scenic’s world-class chefs for a visit to a local food market, where you can sample and purchase the finest local ingredients. Afterwards, return to your Scenic Space-Ship and head to the Scenic Culinaire cooking school for an interactive cooking demonstration. Here, you'll create some local French cuisine using your market finds.

As part of your Scenic cruise around Bordeaux, you'll enjoy Scenic Freechoice excursions that allow you to sample some of the finest wines the region has to offer. On board the Beautiful Bordeaux cruise, you have the following options:

• Excursion to Saint-Émilion: Explore this World Heritage-listed medieval village and its renowned wineries. The regional wines are primarily red blends dominated by Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines, the region has a rich history tied to winemaking, with ancient Roman origins influencing its viticultural traditions. 
• Wine tasting at Château Siaurac: Château Siaurac is a prestigious winery located in the appellation of Lalande-de-Pomerol, Bordeaux, France. Set over 46 hectares, it is the largest estate in the famous Pomerol wine-growing region, separated from the first grands crus of Pomerol only by a thin trickle of water. Known for its rich history, the estate showcases a stunning 19th-century château surrounded by picturesque vineyards and sprawling gardens. With its unique terroir, featuring clay and gravel soils that produce elegant, full-bodied reds primarily made from Merlot, with touches of Cabernet Franc and Malbec. It's this blend of varieties and terroir that produce a robust, earthy wine with good aging potential.
• Wine tasting in Médoc: Discover the famous 'Route des Châteaux'. Choose between a coach tour, which takes you through the region before ending at a local winery, or an e-bike tour, where you’ll cycle through the vineyards and sample wines at a prestigious estate such as Château Maucaillou or Château Prieuré Léchine.
• Wine tasting in Sauternes: Opt for a tour to visit either Château Rayne Vigneau or Château La Tour Blanche, where you can sample their wines while enjoying breathtaking views. Chateau La Tour Blanche is one of the most respected producers in Sauternes with its blends of 83% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc, and an unusually high proportion of Muscadelle at 5%. French Oak barrels are used to age their Sémillon, producing a wonderfully spiced, featuring wonderfully redolent notes of cinnamon stick, nutmeg, coriander seed, and powdered ginger, and poached pears. The palate is both beautifully balanced, and suitably rich, lending a refreshing, deceptively ethereal quality that will have you reaching for another glass. 
• Wine tasting in Sauternes by e-bike: Alternatively, choose an e-bike tour through the rolling vineyards of Sauternes to the boutique Grand Cru Classé estate of Château Mayne la Merci for a tasting. Learn about the history of winemaking and the production process, from harvest to wine, and savour the tasting experience. The renowned flavour profile offers generous aromatic bouquet with notes of apricot, honey and orange blossom blends with the freshness and vivacity characteristic of our silico-gravelly soil, the terroir of choice for great wines.

Indulge in a journey that will tantalise your taste buds as you embark on an all-inclusive ultra-luxury river cruise through Bordeaux with Scenic. Explore the region your way with an 11 day Beautiful Bordeaux cruise or 8 day Bordeaux Affair cruise, both offering elegant trips to iconic wine-growing regions. The latter includes 17 Scenic Freechoice activities and a Scenic Enrich event, featuring a private classical evening concert at the stunning Château d’Agassac in the Médoc region.

Explore river cruises in France on the Bordeaux Affair with Highlights of Paris cruise and extension, which includes everything from the Bordeaux Affair plus a visit to the enchanting 'City of Light'. For those eager to explore even more European gems, our Beautiful Bordeaux with Paris & Madrid cruise along with extension offers guided tours showcasing the best of the Spanish capital.

Your river cruise will feature small group tours and Scenic Freechoice excursions, to explore local areas throughout your journey. On board, indulge in delightful dining experiences crafted by world-class chefs who use the flavours of the regions you sail through to create authentic cuisine. When it's time to unwind, retreat to your balcony suite and soak up the stunning views from your luxurious home away from home.