WHAT ARE MAISON DU VIN IN BORDEAUX?
If you are driving around the countryside in Gironde and noticing ‘maison du vin‘ everywhere, stop and visit one! What is a ‘Maison du Vin’? There are many ‘Maison des Vin’ in the Bordeaux wine region. Each focuses on promoting the wines of that area, serving tastings of bottles donated by local chateaux. For example, in the Maison des Vins du Graves of Podensac you would have Graves wines (including Pessac Leognan). These ‘Wine Houses’ are excellent resources for tourists and locals alike. With hundreds of individual producers in each appellation, it would take a lifetime to know all of the wines. By stopping by a local Maison du Vin, you can get answers quickly to more specific chateaux producing wines that you are looking for.
Some Maison du Vin will offer classes or picnics if booked in advance, like in Podensac. They often have some bottles open for free tastings, or for small fees of around 5-10 EURO. I’ve been to locations in Sauternes and Entre Deux Mers where they have been able to make tasting reservations at the chateaux for me. They are an incredible resource. Saint Emilion has tasting classes, for example, to help you understand the different aromas in the local wines. There are often many chateaux to purchase in the Maison du Vin, from the larger names to some surprise smaller estates.
Be sure to check hours of operation, which can be particularly limited off season (November-March). Keep in mind they are likely to be closed on holidays and Sundays. You can also purchase wine off the Maison du Vin websites in many appellations, with Saint Emilion offering free shipping (locally) for the purchase of 12 bottles.
WHERE TO FIND THE MAISON DU VIN (Only speaking for the locations I’ve been to personally)
Graves / Pessac Leognan – Offers tastings with charcuterie and cheese for a picnic, following a lecture on Graves wines history and production. Be sure to book in advance / 61 cours du Marechal Foch, 33720 Podensac / Graves, grands vins de Bordeaux – Maison des vins de Graves
Sauternes – When I was there last they had a reference guide with a good 50 producers that were possible to taste. Space has been updated since. They also sell local products, like Gondalo Jams, or memorabilia from the area / 14 Place de la Mairie, 33210 Sauternes / Maison du Sauternes
Cadilliac – This is a fun Maison du Vin, as it has an ‘ecomusee‘ attached. Ecomusee are musems to tell the history of a local area, generally a farm around where I live. Tastings can be organized, please keep in mind Cadillac produces sweet whites, like Sauternes. / D10 Route de Langon, 33410 Cadillac / Maison des Vins de Cadillac – Vente en ligne des Côtes de Bordeaux, rouge et blancs liquoreux.
Pomerol – The view from the tasting room at this location are stunning, overlooking the Pomerol vines with over 70 wines of Pomerol for sale / 8 r Tropchaud, 33500 Pomerol / vins-pomerol.fr/pages/fr/maisonDuVin/maisonDuVin.aspx
Saint Emilion – Located just next to the eglise collegiale in Saint Emilion, you’ll find the Maison du Vin with plenty of references for sale in person and online, an olfactorily display to share the many aromas in wines, and ateliers that you can sign up for / 1 Place Pierre Meyrat, 33330 Saint-Emilion / https://www.maisonduvinsaintemilion.com/
Fronsac – Is a fun one, because there is a lot of history for this tiny appellation you’ll be surprised to learn about. Often have multiple bottles open and it’s a fun stop, small, and laid back / 3 A Chemin de Richelieu, 33126 Fronsac / Vins Fronsac | Fronsac et Canon Fronsac (vins-fronsac.com)
Entre-Deux-Mers – This Maison du Vin is in a really lovely location as well, next to the ruins of the l’Abbaye de la Sauve which can be visited separately. They have a space for large tastings and the website is particularly well done / 16 rue de l Abbaye, 33670 La Sauve /Entre-deux-Mers, appellation d’origine contrôlée – Ici, l’Homme est un terroir (vinsentredeuxmers.com)
Margaux – Bit of a cross between a Maison du Vin and a tourism office, but I really liked going into this one. Some producers for sale, but really great fliers and informative booklets on wine and the area as well / 7 pl Trémoille, 33460 Margaux / Vin Margaux – AOC – Maison du Vin Margaux (vins-de-margaux.fr)
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