Inaugurated in 2016, Bordeaux’s Cité du Vin continues to delight those interested in the precious nectar. Here’s a look at France’s fourth most visited museum.
France’s fourth most visited museum, the Cité du Vin continues to delight those interested in the precious nectar. While 47% of visitors are French (including 25% from the Bordeaux region), tourists from Spain, the United States and the United Kingdom account for 53% of foreign visitors. Year in, year out, no fewer than 400,000 people pass through the doors of this cave dedicated to the beverage of Bacchus.
A museum to discover
Spread over 13,500 square meters on 8 floors, the neophyte and the seasoned sommelier alike learn about vines, winegrowing and grape varieties. Its architectural form evokes the swirling of wine in a glass, a gnarled vine or a giant decanter. The designers wanted it this way, with metal panels that reflect the surrounding river, according to the sun’s rays and the time of day. A reminder of wine’s “ever-changing” color.
A journey to the heart of wine-making
In the permanent exhibition, visitors can smell the different aromas identified in wine, a bit like having access to a gigantic “Nez du Vin”, Jean Lenoir’s famous reference for developing your sense of smell and better analyzing the wines you taste.
Immerse yourself in the world of international wine
You’ll find no fewer than 18 different areas, ranging from an overview of the world’s vineyards, to wine-making in all its forms, to trends in the world of wine and, of course, the Bordeaux vineyards in all their richness and splendor. The entire museum is up to date with digital technology and fully interactive, with an audioguide to accompany you.
Via Sensoria, awakening the senses in the world of wine
There’s also a choice of tasting activities, including Via Sensoria, which takes you on a pleasant journey from spring to winter and from sunrise to sunset, where you’ll be guided by an in-house sommelier who will blind-taste a few olfactory representatives of the four seasons.
A seasonal tasting experience
At each stop, you’ll be served a glass of wine or a non-alcoholic beverage (for younger guests or those who prefer a non-alcoholic world) in keeping with the season you’re visiting. A highly recommended additional activity.
On the eighth floor, at the end of your visit to the museum, you can enjoy a glass of wine (included in the price of your ticket) to explore bottles from all over the world.
The Bordeaux wine cellar at the Cité du Vin
Finally, in addition to the boutique where you’ll find accessories, books and games revolving around wine, you can conclude your escapade in the Cité du Vin cellar, with over 800 references representing 70 wine-producing countries around the world. Canada is represented, a little timidly, but this should diversify over time, with… an ice wine.
An all-encompassing wine boutique
Depending on your passion for wine, you’ll need between 2 and 6 hours to visit this living museum from top to bottom. General admission: €27 per adult and €14 for children aged 6 to 17. Cheers…
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