Things are hotting up in Blaye and the surrounding appellation this Whitsun weekend, on 7 and 8 June. Activities include mountain biking, walking, watching birds of prey, bargain-hunting at the flea market, learning new fishing techniques and picnicking with winemakers – all while enjoying Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux wines, of course.

In the saddle with Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux wines!

“The Blaye Wines Mountain Bike Ride is a different kind of experience, open to everyone, with a high quality circuit and major partners.” That is how Philippe Gosset, a member of event organiser HG Green Bike, puts it. And it’s free, enabling the organisers to emphasise the aspects which make it so distinctive.

This year’s edition includes three mountain-bike circuits (family, sporting and expert) through the vineyards, as well as a 15-km walk suitable for families. Tastings of Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux wines will take place along the way. Seven fuelling stops set up at wine estates will give the riders and walkers a chance to stop for a moment and discover the appellation’s red and white wines. As Jean-François, a faithful participant since the first Mountain Bike Ride, says, “Meeting winegrowers while taking exercise in the fresh air is a thoroughly enjoyable experience!”

The success of the third Blaye Wines Mountain Bike Ride is assured: 1,000 participants have already signed up and there are no more places left.

But even if you can’t take part, there are plenty of other things to do in Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux this Whitsun weekend.

• Watch the video of the 2012 Blaye Mountain Bike Ride

A busy weekend at Blaye

The two other outstanding events of the weekend at Blaye are Hunting & Fishing at the Citadel and the Independent Winegrowers Picnic.

Hunting & Fishing at the Citadel offers a number of spectacular events in the privileged setting of Blaye’s Citadel, including demonstrations of pointers, retrievers and hounds, birds of prey and trout and fly fishing by local enthusiasts eager to show off their skills. There are also plenty of good things to eat, accompanied by local wines presented by the people who have made them. For bargain-hunters, there will be a flea-market on the Saturday.

At lunchtime, you can enjoy a picnic with the Independent Winegrowers. The idea is simple: you make your way with your picnic hamper to one of the châteaux taking part, the winegrowers set the table and offer you the wine. Tastings of Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux wines and fun events for children and adults round off the programme of a very busy weekend at Blaye!

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