I'm going to be travelling by train from Paris to SW France (in ealy July) and am wondering about a brief stopover in Bordeaux to do some wine tasting. I'll be on my own at this time, so happy to join a day tour. Am only thinking of having 1 or 2 nights. As I've no idea how practical this is, I'd appreciate hearing from others experiences/recommendations. thanks.

First, you can taste wine almost everywhere in France. Second, if you choose to go to Bordeaux, don't expect the wine scene there to be anything like, say, Napa, where you can drive around and stop at vineyards and have samples. For the most part, the wine châteaux around Bordeaux are private enterprises that don't let you just drop by. You either have an appointment or you don't get in. And an appointment comes by being in the wine business or knowing someone who is, or by paying for an expensive tour organized through the Tourist Office or the Maison du Vin.

On the other hand, if you're headed to the SW of France and will have a car, there are many far more beautiful areas with a much more relaxed approach to wine where you could wander and taste: Monbazillac, Bergerac, Gaillac, Corbières......

Burgundy is a much better place to visit for wine tasting

Agree, we enjoyed burgundy much more than bordeaux. Lovely wine villages and wine bars.

Our pics are here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gir...7607493717331/

The local tourist office can help
http://www.bordeaux-tourisme.com/pl/...50&lg=uk&sib=1

There are several wine tasting locales near the opera house in Bordeaux.

http://www.newbordeaux.com/#!bordeaux-whats-on/c1n28