The city of Bordeaux lies around 62 miles (100km) from the Atlantic, at the lowest bridging point on the Garonne River. The city center sits between place Gambetta and the Garonne. Bordeaux, home to one of France's seven key wine regions has around 500 chateaux, or vineyards. While a large majortity of visitors come to the city and its surrounds to tour the chateaux and sip world-class wines and indulge in the regional cuisine, Bordeaux offers much more. The city has excellent museums, vibrant nightlife and beaches nearby. The combination of wide avenues and neoclassical architecture to the well-maintained parks give the city a 18th-century type grandeur. The ethnically diverse population and a lively university community of some 60,000 students aid in making this city a must for the language traveler.

This French and wine course has been designed for wine lovers and gourmets, for both professionals or amateurs, seeking to combine a French learning experience with the pleasures of tasting some of the most outstanding wines of France.

A course offered each afternoon from Monday to Friday, conducted in French and translated into English by a professional wine taster at L’Ecole du Bordeaux, run by Chateau Lynch-Bages.

By tasting some of the greatest vintages of the Bordeaux classics you will learn the 'art of tasting'. Using the correct terms you will analyse the wine in your mouth and describe its aromas and flavours. A programme which will sharpen your awareness of the particularities that distinguish the Bordeaux vineyards.

You will also be introduced to some of the up-and-coming wines in the region. Whatever your favourites, you will be invited by the professionals to discover some of the most prestigious chateaux in the world.

At the end of the course you will have acquired an extensive knowledge of Bordeaux wines and be tested on your wine tasting ability and receive a certificate.

Participants: Mostly Europeans of all ages, with a good mix between 25-40

Other: French language classes take place in a spacious and impressive 19th century three-story building overlooking Place Gambetta, a beautiful park. Situated in the heart of the city offering modern facilites with 15 bright air-conditioned classrooms, study room, library and vending machines for snacks and drinks. There are additional classrooms in a nearby annex which are also used by the students. Capacity is 130 students/day.

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