The Blaye Spring Wine Festival returns to the Citadel of Blaye, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April, when some 15,000 visitors are expected to come and meet the appellation’s winegrowers.
The flagship annual event for Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux
Year after year, consumers and winergrowers alike look forward with growing excitement to the Blaye Spring Wine Festival, the biggest wine tourism event in the Bordeaux region after Bordeaux Fête le Vin. Over 80 winegrowers will descend on the Citadel for the weekend, giving visitors an opportunity to discover or rediscover the variety and excellent value for money of their wines.
“The Spring Wine Festival is a flagship event in our wine tourism calendar. It marks the start of the season, but above all it is an occasion for celebration and enjoyment with friends and family – and our winegrowers, of course!” says Mickaël Rouyer, the appellation’s director.
Our winegrowers have pulled out all the stops for this 20th edition of the Blaye Spring Wine Festival so be prepared for a few surprises. As well as wine tastings, a whole range of fun activities will give visitors a chance to discover the many attractions of our appellation.
From cruises on the Gironde Estuary and walks in the vineyards to guided tours of the Citadel, not to mention winetasting and cookery lessons, there is plenty to keep you busy over the two days of the festival!
The Wine Festival the way you want it!
For wine buffs, the main aim will naturally be to meet our winegrowers and taste their wines in relaxed surroundings. And what better way to refine your technique than a winetasting lesson with the oenologists and sommeliers at the Maison du Vin de Blaye? If you want to find out more about growing vines, make your way to the Citadel’s vineyard, the Clos de l’Echauguette, where, for the first time, demonstrations of horse-drawn ploughing will take place. For those who want to try their hand at making wine, B-Winemaker lets you become cellar-master for a day so that you can choose your own blend and create your own wine. It’s a sure-fire recipe for success, as organiser Pierre Dufourq confirms: “Last year we ended the weekend exhausted but happy. We ran 10 workshops each day and all of them were full. We paid a lot of attention to those taking part. They often had questions to ask because they really wanted to understand Blaye wines.”
For foodies, a number of chefs including Marc Boissieux, winner of Masterchef season 4, will be giving live public cookery demonstrations accompanied by food-and-wine pairings. Watch out, you may be asked to lend a hand in the kitchen! As it is a well-known fact that Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux wines go perfectly with the food of south-west France, over a dozen regional food stalls invite you on a Food Adventure. From oysters and asparagus to charcuterie and cheeses, there will be something for everyone!
Relaxed and friendly
The Blaye Spring Wine Festival celebrates not only the appellation’s wine but above all its winegrowers, who take centre-stage for the two-day event. “It’s such a lot of fun because we can see what our fellow-winegrowers are doing. I’m very curious by nature, I love to learn new things”, says Anne-Sophie Lancereau, owner of Château Bellevue-Gazin at Plassac. She has seen the public change since her first Blaye Spring Wine Festival in 2005: “More and more people are looking for something new, especially the young people who come to Blaye to discover our wines. And it’s a magical setting, which also helps to bring them in!” Anne-Sophie likes to get into the spirit of the event: last year, she won a prize for a barrel which her daughter had specially decorated for the festival. “We’ll try again this year, and may the best man win – or woman or barrel!” she laughs.
Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux from the air
As well as the now traditional tourist train sightseeing and boat trips on the estuary, this year you can discover the Citadel in a horse-drawn trap or, for the first time, from a balloon! Win a trip in a tethered balloon over the Citadel of Blaye and take to the skies from 5.00pm on Sunday, 13 April.
Play the game now ( 3 questions in French)!
Don’t miss this annual encounter with the winegrowers of Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux on 12 and 13 April. We look forward to seeing you there!
- Pass: €6 for access to the tastings and all activities, trips and workshops (on-site reservation essential).
- Blaye Spring Wine Festival 2014 website
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