I'm a college student (about to graduate) and going to Europe in July.
We will be in Bordeaux for 2 days. Does anyone know of any cheap or very reasonable wine tastings in Bordeaux/ day tours to vineyards? (we're in europe for a while [7 weeks] so we need to keep it under a very reasonable budget.
Many thanks.
Note: we will also be in Florence and Rome (if there are any there as well).
Many wine tastings in the Bordeaux region are free. Find a place to stay (a B&B would probably be cheaper for you) in the Medoc and drive up and down the main road (D2) for tastings. Some of the bigger producers will have a small fee (Rothchild for example) but we tasted from lesser producers without any trouble.
Don't stay in the city of Bordeaux if you want a real wine country experience. Stay in the Medoc, St. Emilion, Sauterne...
We found "off the beaten path" places by reading Kim Millon's books about wine roads in France and Italy (they are rather old but the information is good). I'm sure there are other more current books - I just haven't done the research lately.
It is my understanding that there is regular bus service and train service to Pauillac (where we stayed). There also appears to be a train to St. Emilion from Bordeaux. Check out this website http://destinationsflybe.com/bordeaux/
Be prepared to do a lot of walking but then you can eat and drink more ;o)
Have fun!!
Re Cycling: I'll bet you can do this! I did the same thing in Burgundy and had a blast. Bordeaux is flat so it should be easy.
Before you go, take the time to find a shop that will rent decent bikes. You want what is called a TTV, a hybrid bike with fat tires that is good on dirt roads and cobblestones. Actually any bike will do, but your renting shop will be able to advise you on route and destinations, including tastings and places to eat.
Bonne goute!
Oops, it's not "TTV," it's "VTT," for "Velo Toutes Terrains." Pronounced "vay tay tay."
