Everything you need to know about the Bordeaux Wine Festival

In a UK first the world famous Bordeaux Wine Festival has been bottled up and shipped to our shores, adding to what is already going to be a bank holiday weekend to remember.

From 25^th – 28^th May France is coming to you, with three separate sittings everyday over the long weekend. So leave your passport and phrasebook at home and get down to the Pier Head for the Bordeaux Wine Festival – the Scouse Edition. 

Tasting 

The wine festival is not just for the experts, in fact, quite the opposite. We want you to discover a whole new world of flavour. You’ll receive your very own, specially-branded Bordeaux wine glass and carry case to enjoy up to six tastings, learning about the diversity of the regions wines. From Red and White to Sparkling and Sweet, there are over 65 variations from the southern French region on offer, something for every part of the palate. You’ll even be taught how to taste wine like a pro, so don’t worry, you’ll fit right in. Tickets are an affordable £21.50 and can be purchased here. 

Food

Pair your favourite Bordeaux wine of the day with some of the Merseyside’s best grub from the region’s finest chefs and restaurant, all in partnership with Independent Liverpool. Founders of the ever innovative Baltic Market and multi-award winning Chef of The Art School, Paul Askew top the bill to help make this an event for all the senses! 

Master Classes

Bordeaux Wine Festival

For the more serious wine connoisseurs, there are exclusive master class sessions leading up to the weekend, dedicated to Saint-Emilion Grande Crus Classés and taking place at the gorgeously grand Town Hall, just down the road from the Pier Head itself. Taking place in the glorious Small Ballroom, under crystal chandeliers, the first takes place on Thursday 24^th and includes a delicious sharing platter, a specially branded Bordeaux wine glass and of course an a host of tasting to be done. 

One the launch of the festival itself, Friday 25^thMay, ticket holders are given the un-missable opportunity to taste 6 Saint-Emilion Grande Crus Classés in a 2 hour event that includes the same delights as the day before, but stepped up a gear to discover their “king grape variety”. Tickets can be found here. 

The Waterfront

The weather has been treating is well in recent weeks and looks set to continue. So, is there anywhere better than our wonderful waterfront to spend a day out in the sun? Bordeaux is a city that also lies on water, built on the River Garonne, another similarity that we share with the wine region. You’ll not only have the taste of Bordeaux on your lips, but the feeling of it all around you as our docklands will transport you to the South of France this bank holiday weekend. 

Tall Ships Regatta

Starting up alongside the Three Festival’s Tall Ships Regatta, the waterfront is going to be a wash with activity across the weekend. There are few sites that are more awe-inspiring than this regatta along the Mersey. Linking three maritime cities, a stunning fleet of Tall Ships will battle the waves, and each other, in two races. One from Liverpool to Dublin, then from Dublin to Bordeaux. The regatta kicks off a long weekend of family-friendly fun alongside the fist ever, UK held, Bordeaux Wine Festival.

Live Music

Liverpool is known for its love is music, and France is known for creating an unmistakably cool atmosphere with its music, so we couldn’t bring the two worlds together without a perfect accompaniment for the grape juice. Sit back and enjoy some smooth, live jazz created especially for the festival, all against the beautiful backdrop of our iconic, docklands skyline.

A UK First / Liverpool 2018 

Liverpool Capital of Culture 2008 with Walk the plank

2018 sees us celebrate a decade since our years as Capital of Culture. Throughout the year we are seeing hundreds of cultural activities and festivals come to the city to celebrate the anniversary. The fact that the BWF is coming to the UK for the first time, and to our shores, shows just what a lasting impression our reign as the Capital of Culture has had on our city, as we are welcomed into a family that includes Hong Kong, Brussels, Quebec and, of course, Bordeaux. This will go down in history, so be part it with a glass of top quality vino in hand, at one of the most iconic parts of the city.

Get booking your tickets now if you haven’t already via the website here.

There is something different to do in the city as we welcome festivities such as this with open arms. The Bordeaux Wine Festival is the rather sophisticated cherry on top of what is a luxuriously large cake. There is no excuse not get out into the Mersey sunshine this weekend, or if you’d prefer, the French sunshine.

Let us know what you are up to this Bank Holiday weekend in Liverpool, and tag us in your pictures form the Bordeaux Wine Festival and we will share the best. Get us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.