ANNUAL EVENTS IN BORDEAUX
What's on 2011
Info on Bordeaux website
APRIL 2011
BORDEAUX Futures
April 2 to 5th. Futures campaign for the 2010 vintage. (For professionals only).
MAY 7 & 8 2011
Tasting WEEKEND DES GRANDS AMATEURS
May , tasting in Hangar 14, Bordeaux. A weekend dedicated to Grands Crus amateurs, combining an exceptional tasting of over 100 Grands Crus, dinners in châteaux in the company of the owners, and a day touring Bordeaux vineyards. (Info & reservations: www.wga-ugcb.com)
18 et 19 May
Congrès CNAOC
Congress on wines and spirits with a French AOC, held in Bordeaux Lac. FGVB 05 56 00 22 99
International SAUVIGNON Contest
May 21-22, open to winemakers from around the world. Contest organised by the Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur wine association, with the participation of Denis Dubourdieu, professor at Bordeaux's Faculty of Oenology. (Info:www.cmsauvignon.com)
28 et 29 Mai
Festival de Philosophie
Saint-Emilion Conseil des vins de Saint-Emilion 05 57 55 50 50
The MEDOCAINE VTT
Saturday May 28, Médoc. A day of relaxation and moutain-biking in the Médoc vineyards. Courses from 20-80km. (Info:www.medocainevtt.com)
JUNE 2011
Spring Festivities of the jurade of SAINT-EMILION
June 18-20, in Saint-Emilion. Art exhibitions, activities around wine and the vineyard, concerts, dinners in the Cardinal Palace moat, lightshow at the heart of the medieval town of saint-Emilion. (Info: www.vins-saint-emilion.com)
Sauternes Marathon
June 4
The inaugral marathon to be held in the vineyards of Sauternes. The winning runner gets a case of Sauternes wine. ODG de Sauternes & Barsac 05 56 76 60 37
Portes Ouvertes AOC Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux, Premières Côtes de Bx, Cadillac
June 11-12
BORDEAUX VINEXPO
June 19-23, held at the Palais de Congres. France's largest professional wine fair, held once every two years.
JULY 2011
SAINT-EMILION Bike Tour
July 2.
AUGUST 2011
Strolls through CADILLAC
August 19-20-21. Producers' market on Friday, at la Closière, tasting workshops, strolls through the châteaux to listen to live concerts, drive through the vineyards of Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux in vintage American cars, VIP events, street activities). (Info: 05 56 62 12 92 orhttp://baladesencadillac.free.fr)
SEPTEMBER 2011
Harvest Launch by the Jurade de SAINT-EMILION
September 17, in Saint-Emilion, Lussac-Saint-Emilion, Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion. In the tradtion of the Jurade of 1199, the jurats of Saint Emilion will open their cellar doors and estates during these two days of festivities. (Info: www.vins-saint-emilion.com)
Historical Walks PREMIERES COTES DE BORDEAUX & CADILLAC
September 17-18 and 24-25, 30, through the châteaux. Châteaux visits, wine tasting, tasting workshops for beginners. (Info: Office de Tourisme de l’Entre-Deux-Mers 05 56 61 82 73 ; info@entredeuxmers.com)
Marathon du MEDOC
September 10. 26th edition of the Marathon du Médoc, which combines sports with fun and conviviality. Participants runs through more than 50 estates each offering refreshments of all kinds and as many tasting opportunities (Info:www.marathondumedoc.com)
OCTOBER 2011
Harvest Weekend in PREMIERES COTES DE BORDEAUX & CADILLAC
October 1, 8-9. Winemaking & cultural discoveries: participate in the harvest, visit and stay at the estates, taste wines and enjoy local meals, visit the fortified town of Cadillac and a Gallo-Roman villa. (Info: Office de Tourisme de l’Entre-Deux-Mers 05 56 61 82 73, info@entredeuxmers.com)
Portes Ouvertes Graves De Vayres Vayres
9 Octobre, ODG Graves De Vayres 05 57 74 86 92
Portes Ouvertes Graves et Graves Supérieures
15 et 16 Octobre, GravesODG Graves 05 56 27 09 25
Portes Ouvertes Fronsac
22 et 23 Octobre, Fronsac Conseil des Vins de Fronsac 05 57 51 80 51
Wine & Dine Festival HONG KONG
October 30-November 1, Hong Kong. A spectacular gathering of wine, food, music and fun. This festive event will showcase wines from national and international wineries paired with food from local restaurants and feature colourful culinary personalities. (Info: http://www.wineanddinefestival.hk/)
NOVEMBER 2011
Wine & Dine Festival HONG KONG
November 1-30, Hong Kong. A spectacular gathering of wine, food, music and fun. This festive event will showcase wines from national and international wineries paired with food from local restaurants and feature colourful culinary personalities. (Info: http://www.wineanddinefestival.hk/)
Vineyard Visits & Tastings Sauternes and Barsac
November 11-12-13, châteaux and stores of the Sauternes and Barsac appellation open their doors for visits, activities and tastings.
DECEMBER 2011
Vineyard Visits & Tastings Pessac Leognan
November 3-4, châteaux and stores of the Sauternes and Barsac appellation open their doors for visits, activities and tastings.
Throughout the year:
Portes Ouvertes are held in wine appellations, where chateaux open their doors to the public and put on special exhibitions, musical events and tastings. Details from each individual appellation, such as the Maison des Vins de Pauillac or Maison des Vins de Graves, or from the CIVB website, www.bordeaux.com
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
There are 11 public holidays in France.
Jour de L'An, New Year's Day (1 January)
Lundi de Paques, Easter Monday (April 25 2011)
Fête du Travail, Labour Day (1 May)
Victoire 1945, Second World War Armistice (8 May)
Ascension (3 June 2011)
Lundi de Pentecôte, Whit Monday (June 13 2011)
Bastille Day/F ête National, national holiday commemorating the French Revolution (14 July)
Assomption, Assumption (15 August)
Touissant, All Saints Day (1 November)
Armistice 1918, First World War Armistice (11 November)
Noel, Christmas Day (25 December)
On these days government departments, banks, shops and even some restaurants are closed. And bear in mind that if a public holiday falls on a Thursday or a Tuesday, people often like to faire le pont (bridge over) and take a four-day weekend.