Workshop Bordeaux wine tasting: 4 reds & charcuterie pairing

Four Bordeaux reds, and your nose will work overtime. This small-group wine class at 25 Av. Thiers is built for real learning, not a lecture: you taste 4 Bordeaux reds, compare styles from Médoc and Saint-Émilion, and pair each pour with charcuterie. I especially like the interactive, conversational feel led by Cécilia or Mathilde, and I love that you get a tasting booklet to take home. One consideration: at just 1 hour, it moves fast, so it is best if you want a strong intro, not a slow, deep seminar.

You also get training on how to taste like a professional, with guidance on what to notice in aroma, texture, blends, and ageing potential. The pace is friendly for beginners, but the wine choices still give serious enthusiasts something to chew on, including a tasting of one mature Bordeaux wine.

Location is easy to reach but the room is easy to miss. You are about 100 meters from the tram A stop Stalingrad, then you look for the gray door hidden behind a building, with the bell labeled I heart TASTING.

Key things to know before you go

• Max 6 people means you get hands-on attention while you compare wines
• 4 Bordeaux red wines plus a mystery glass make you practice tasting skills, not just listen
• Aroma game helps you learn what scents to look for, step-by-step
• Left Bank vs Right Bank is explained through what is actually in your glass
• Charcuterie pairings show how food changes the way you perceive tannins and fruit
• Booklet included so you can keep using the tasting method after you leave Bordeaux

Finding the hidden room behind the Guy Hoquet sign

Meet at 25 avenue Thiers, 33100 Bordeaux, roughly 100 meters from tram A stop Stalingrad. The tasting room is hidden behind a building, so do not rely on seeing a big storefront. You will arrive at the Guy Hoquet panel, then find a gray door right next to it. The bell is labeled I heart TASTING, which is a great clue when you are circling the right corner.

Timing matters because this is a short class. Plan to arrive a few minutes early so you can settle in and start with the aroma portion without rushing. If you are navigating by foot, this neighborhood is workable for most people, but the operator notes the experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so check with them if that is relevant for you.

Depending on the season, the tasting happens in a stone-built room, a private courtyard, or an underground cellar. That is useful to know because it affects mood: a cellar setting tends to feel extra quiet and focused, while a courtyard can feel more open and relaxed.

How the aroma game and tasting method turn noise into clues

A big part of the class is learning how to taste. Instead of tasting as a vague “do I like this,” you practice a process: smell first, notice aromas, then taste with attention to texture and structure. The guide also links those sensations back to winemaking choices, including grape variety, terroir, and vinification style, and how those choices relate to aroma and ageing potential.

The aroma game is not just a gimmick. It trains you to put words to what you notice, which is the difference between sipping wine and actually understanding it. You will likely get the most out of this if you are willing to be a little playful with your own guesses. Even if you have zero wine vocabulary, the point is to build one quickly.

You get a personal tasting booklet as part of the experience. For me, that is real value in a city like Bordeaux, where you can spend days tasting without ever writing down what you learned. With a booklet in hand, you can remember the patterns you practiced during class when you compare wines later.

The guide team, Cécilia and Mathilde, are described as certified wine experts trained at the Université du Vin. In practical terms, it means you get grounded explanations that match what you are tasting, not just general wine talk.

Médoc to Saint-Émilion: Left Bank vs Right Bank in your glass

The heart of the class is a lineup designed to show Bordeaux’s variety through red wine styles. You are not stuck with one “house style.” You taste different faces of Bordeaux, then connect them to where the wines come from and what grapes and blending decisions do to the final drink.

Here is the key idea you will walk away with: Bordeaux is often described as a blending region, but you can also taste how grape personality shows up when the blend leans more Cabernet Sauvignon or more Merlot.

• Médoc (Left Bank) often brings more structure, and the class highlights Cabernet Sauvignon in a way that shows that structure can be age-worthy.
• Saint-Émilion (Right Bank) often gives a smoother, more fruit-forward feel, and the class points you toward the Merlot side of Bordeaux.

The selection also includes single-varietal examples to help you recognize grape character, plus elegant blends from familial organic estates and from prestigious Grand Cru producers. That matters because it trains your palate to spot differences in style, not just in price.

There is also one mature wine included. If you are used to tasting only young bottles, this part can be a wake-up call. The lesson is not that older wine is always better. It is that ageing changes how aromas show up and how the wine feels on the palate, and Bordeaux is one of the places where that transformation is a central story.

Charcuterie pairings that teach the why, not just the what

Wine and food can get oversold as magic. This class keeps it practical. Each pour is paired with artisanal charcuterie that is chosen to complement the wine you are tasting. The goal is to make you notice how flavor and texture shift when you add a bite.

This kind of pairing exercise is especially useful in Bordeaux because many red wines have tannins and acidity that can either clash with food or harmonize with it. Even if you do not know the technical terms yet, you can learn what to expect by comparing before and after bites. You start to recognize why some wines taste fruitier or more balanced when you eat, while others can feel tighter or more structured.

The class also explicitly focuses on the secrets of successful food and wine pairing. That does not mean you get a fixed rule like always pair wine X with food Y. Instead, you get a method for thinking through balance: how the wine’s aromas and texture respond to salty, fatty, and cured flavors.

The mystery glass that tests your new tasting skills

You also get one mystery glass. That is a clever way to turn learning into practice. Even without knowing what is in it, you can apply the tasting steps you practiced earlier, then compare your impressions to what the guide explains afterward.

Why it works: once you smell and taste with a framework, you start to pick up patterns. You learn to separate what you want to taste from what is actually there. And once you have done that in a classroom setting, you can do it at a wine shop in Bordeaux without freezing.

If you tend to feel shy about guessing, try to treat it like a game. The whole format is designed to keep you comfortable enough to participate, which is a big reason this class has strong satisfaction scores. People tend to like that it feels like a conversation rather than a lecture, with the host adjusting explanations as you react.

Buying wine on site, and using the booklet later

The wines you taste are available for purchase on site. That is handy because the easiest way to remember a tasting experience is to take one bottle home and compare it to what you wrote in your booklet.

You do not have to buy, of course. Even if you only purchase one bottle, you can use it to continue the tasting method you practiced in class. The booklet helps you track what you noticed about blends, grape varieties, aroma, and structure, so your next tasting in Bordeaux or back home has better context.

One smart move: if you know you like a style, look for the matching wine in your booklet before you decide. Since the class emphasizes Bordeaux appellations and grape variety, you will be able to shop with more confidence instead of grabbing bottles just because of label appeal.

Who should book this Bordeaux tasting class

This is a great fit for:

• Beginners who want a clear starting point for Bordeaux red wines and how to taste them
• People who are curious about the difference between Left Bank and Right Bank styles
• Wine lovers who still want an enjoyable, hands-on session with structured guidance
• Anyone who learns best through tasting, smelling, and eating, not just listening

It is less ideal if:

• You want a long session or a slow paced, deep historical tour of Bordeaux wine
• You need accommodations for mobility impairments, since the experience is stated as not suitable for that

If you or your group prefers white wines, the operator says you can be accommodated. They also offer a tasting of white Bordeaux wines if you let them know in advance. That flexibility can be useful if you are traveling with someone who wants a different style than the red-focused session.

Is $46 for 1 hour good value in Bordeaux?

At $46 per person for a 1-hour small-group tasting with 4 Bordeaux red wines, charcuterie pairings, an aroma game, and a take-home booklet, the value comes from structure. You are paying for an instructor-led tasting that connects sensory experience to Bordeaux basics like appellations, grape variety, blending, and ageing potential.

You are also paying for the group size. With a maximum group of 6, you get time to participate and ask questions. In a city full of wine tours that feel generic, this type of “short but focused” class is a strong option if your schedule is tight.

If you are comparing costs to private tastings, this is cheaper by design. If you are comparing it to solo tastings, this still offers value because the guide helps you taste correctly, not just drink.

Should you book it?

I think you should book this class if you want a practical Bordeaux education that feels fun and social, without needing prior wine knowledge. The lineup of 4 reds plus a mystery glass, paired with charcuterie, is a smart way to learn faster. And with Cécilia or Mathilde leading the session using a method linked to the Université du Vin, you are less likely to leave with random impressions and more likely to leave with reusable tasting habits.

Skip it if you need something accessible for mobility impairments or if you are specifically chasing a longer, in-depth tour format. Otherwise, this is a very efficient way to make Bordeaux make sense in one hour.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is 25 avenue Thiers, 33100 Bordeaux. The location is about 100 meters from the tram A stop Stalingrad. The tasting room is behind a building, by a gray door next to the Guy Hoquet panel, with a bell labeled I heart TASTING.

How long is the wine tasting class?

The experience lasts 1 hour.

How much does it cost?

The price is $46 per person.

How many people are in the group?

The class is described as a small group, limited to 6 participants.

What languages are offered?

The live tour guide offers English, French, and Spanish.

What is included in the tasting?

You get a wine tasting class with your own tasting booklet, an aroma game, 4 Bordeaux red wine glasses, and wine and food pairing with charcuterie.

Can the group accommodate people who prefer white wine?

Yes. If you are accompanied by people who prefer white wines, the provider says they can accommodate you and also offers a tasting of white Bordeaux wines if you let them know in advance.