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COURS SUR LES VINS DE BORDEAUX

"a complete programme that guarantees an intense week of cultural and tourist interests"
BLS BORDEAUX
  • Lessons: 20 general French morning lessons + 3 afternoon sessions at the 'Ecole du Bordeaux' and 2 afternoon excursions (visiting chateaux) per week
  • Levels: elementary to advanced (see levels)
  • Course begins: fixed dates (see dates)
  • Timetable: 9.30 to 12.45 with a 15 minute break, Monday to Friday
  • + afternoon wine programme
  • Duration: 1 week, which can be combined (before or after) any other type of course
Price
2008
1 week = 695€
Enrolment fee = 70€

Learn more about the fascinating and privileged world of Bordeaux wines! Our Bordeaux wine course has been designed for wine connoisseurs and lovers, gourmets or professionals, enabling you to learn the many secrets of the “Art of Tasting”, but also to apprehend the mind-bending complexity involved in making Bordeaux wines.

Perfect your knowledge of the wine growing area and really appreciate the great originality of Bordeaux wines. This course is taught every afternoon from Monday to Friday in the Ecole du Bordeaux, a satellite of the renowned Medoc Chateau Lynch-Bages, just a few minutes’ walk from BLS. It is delivered in French and translated simultaneously into English. Both connoisseurs and professionals alike agree that our teachers’ passion for wine is absolutely fascinating!
see full programme

Bordeaux wine course - objectives and methodology

  • to discover a major aspect of French culture and the Bordeaux region
  • to combine French classes with a variety of activities
  • a programme in French and English for beginners

General French - objectives and methodology

  • the practice of spoken French in communicative situations and a cultural approach to the language
  • development of linguistic proficiency (written and oral expression / written and oral comprehension / interpersonal communication)
  • communicative methods combining individual development and group dynamics (group work, role plays, etc.)

Groups

  • single-level groups, 8 to 12 students maximum, ensure easy participation and a true group dynamic as well as individual attention from the teacher

Teaching aids

Full programme

A Bordeaux - 5-day course including:

20 French lessons (mornings)
3 afternoon sessions on Bordeaux wines including tasting
The "Art of Tasting", becoming familiar with great wines from the major Bordeaux wine growing areas
French-English translation
2 afternoon excursions to visit chateaux
Support documents
Final test and “Taster” certificate

Monday

LECTURE + TASTING
Getting to know and understanding white wines
— Learn about the world of Bordeaux wines
— Different appellations around Bordeaux and their wines
— How great Bordeaux whites are made
— The aromas of white wines and how to enhance them
— The magic of how sweet Sauternes are made
Tuesday

LECTURE + TASTING
Getting to know and understanding red wines
— A look into some of the secrets of Bordeaux fine wines
— How red wine is made

Tasting: Blend you own Bordeaux wine
A special session exclusive to the Ecole du Bordeaux: you play the role of a cellar master and blend the wine of your choice using the four main grape varieties grown around Bordeaux. This is a game anyone can play, even beginners, and some may even find a new vocation!
For this very special tasting session we use several wines each made from a single grape variety from Château Lynch-Bages which have been specially harvested and kept for this simulation.
Wednesday

Travel through the famous Medoc vineyards
— Probably the most famous wine growing area in the world, home of the 4 remarkable Premiers Crus: Margaux, Mouton-Rotschild, Latour and Lafite
—Visit of a 'Grand Cru Classé'

Thursday

LECTURE + TASTING
The diversity of the great Bordeaux red wines
— The history and wines of Medoc, Saint-Emilion and Graves
— Wine classifications: understanding the puzzling Bordeaux rankings
— Tasting: Bordeaux red wines. Strength, subtlety and complexity. Enjoy 4 red wines from the most famous villages in the Medoc, Graves and Saint-Emilion appellations

Friday

Trip to the village of Saint-Emilion and its vineyards
— Visit of the medieval town of Saint-Emilion, a UNESCO world heritage site, 40 km (25 miles) from Bordeaux. See the special Saint-Emilion landscape and the surrounding chateaux: Ausone and Cheval Blanc
— Visit of a reputed Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Option: lecture + tasting + gourmet dinner in the Michelin 1-star restaurant “Le Chapon Fin”. Pairing food and wines: lecture given by our teacher. Enjoy the cuisine of highly talented chef Franck Ferriguti.

  • Tailor made programmes
    For groups (individuals, wine clubs, companies, etc.) programmes can be arranged at specific dates to meet participants’ special requirements in 9 different languages. For details, please contact us.

Dates 2008-2009

BORDEAUX

  • Fixed dates 2008
  • (1 week): 15/09; 13/10/2008
  • Fixed dates 2009
  • (1 week): 22/06; 20/07; 17/08; 14/09; 12/10/2009
  • School closure 2008-2009
  • 11/11/2008
    19/12/2008 to 05/01/2009
  • 13/04; 01/05; 08/05;
    21/05; 01/06; 14/07; 11/11/2009;
    20/12/2009 to 04/01/2010

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