behind the scenes of Bordeaux celebrates wine

An the land of Bacchus, Bordeaux still remains queen. At the moment when the old ships enter the port of the Moon, when the flags of the ships match those of the Gironde appellations, Bordeaux celebrates and re-celebrates its wine. Once is no longer customary for the ode to vintages. This year again, here are the Médoc and other Graves, Sauternes, Saint-Emilion and Blayais gathered in their regional capital. The tasting is open this Thursday, June 27, for four days of wandering through the grape varieties.

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Of love and fresh wine

“If it’s this hot, I think we’ll have to increase our stock of rosé, crémant and Entre-deux-Mers,” murmurs Christophe Chateau, the event’s general commissioner. This Wednesday evening, June 26, the Bordeaux Fête le Vin teams are making their last few trips back and forth along the long promenade along the quays. Final briefings, final checks; the four days should still bring together a good number of visitors. Last year, 40,000 bottles were opened during the event. The key word remains “tasting”, in moderation and above all for the discovery of the terroirs.

“In terms of pre-sales, we are at exactly the same stage as last year. Afterwards, the majority of sales are made on site,” confides one of the team members. A good edition in perspective? We will also have to deal with a busy weekend of sport and politics. “It’s true that this year, Bordeaux is celebrating wine and rugby,” even quips Brigitte Bloch, president of the Bordeaux Métropole Tourist Office, echoing the Top 14 final between the Union Bordeaux-Bègles and Stade Toulousain Friday evening.

Chefs’ huts

For the moment, between the stands, the rural spirit dominates. Large tavern-style tables, flags in every direction and cases of wine here and there: “The idea is to be immersed in this village side,” confides Ségolène Faget. With a touch of simplicity and this little bucolic side, all local gastronomy will also be in the spotlight this year. “There, you have one of the new features, these are the chef’s cabins. We really want to promote French gastronomy, with a real local dimension and accessibility,” continues the event coordinator.

Throughout the festival, several chefs will take turns to offer signature dishes to visitors. Small gauges without reservation: each will serve 120 place settings. “We offer elaborate but affordable dishes, since they cost 14 euros,” says Ségolène Faget. The chefs will be installed at the Médoc pavilion, close to the Ecocitizen House and the sailboats. On site, the same simplicity: wooden hut and checkered tablecloths like at grandma’s.

Disconcerting

A little further away, at the Munich square, a strange complex has also sprung up in recent days, to offer new experiences. Le Comptoir, a sort of beach bar with a chic spirit, plans to shake up the proponents of traditional tasting. Here, Clément revisits vintages of all kinds, to make cocktails. The bartender reassures: “We seek to introduce new drinks and enhance a wine. »

Proof with the last training. The wine: a 2019 Château La Rame. “It has a honeyed side, white flowers, quite a bit of length in the mouth…” Before each creation, it’s time for tasting. It’s about “putting the wine forward,” Clément repeats. Fifteen minutes of infusion at room temperature with bergamot black tea, a little green Sichuan pepper and artisanal tonic, lemon zest… And with each new blend, another tasting. To better understand the adaptation of the wine, its new balance. The result is disconcerting… In a good way.

So, advice to the experts, the simply curious and the professionals of the small phrase during the tasting, Bordeaux celebrates wine is intended for the general public. With 40,000 bottles, there is sure to be something for everyone!