Bordeaux Gourmet Experience: Cheese & Wine Tasting

Cheese tastes better underground. This 90-minute Bordeaux tasting combines nine French AOC cheeses, three local wines, and plenty of good-natured storytelling in an 18th-century vaulted cellar. I like the generous amount of food and the way the host connects each cheese and wine to its region. I also like that the tasting feels social rather than stiff, with everyone seated around one shared table.

The main drawback is that this is not a full meal for everyone, even though the servings are substantial. If you arrive hungry, you should be satisfied, but a very hearty eater may want to plan dinner later. The tasting also has one set price for adults and children aged four and up, so families should check the value carefully.

Key points to know before booking

• Nine cheeses, three wines: Each of the three rounds pairs three French cheeses with one Bordeaux wine.
• A cellar with character: The Cave of 100 Cheeses sits beneath the restaurant in an 18th-century vaulted space.
• A lively English host: The presentation includes stories, anecdotes, regional details, and humor rather than a dry lecture.
• A generous tasting: Local sourdough bread accompanies the cheese, and several participants found the portions ample.
• A family-run institution: The business has welcomed diners and cheese lovers since 1987.
• Simple meeting point: Ring the bell at 19 rue Huguerie, then wait for the host to open the venue.

Entering the Cave of 100 Cheeses

The address is 19 rue Huguerie in Bordeaux. This is not a coach tour with a large sign and a line of buses. You arrive at the door, ring the bell, and the host opens the venue for you. That small detail gives the meeting a more personal feel, but do not wander off if the door is closed. Your host needs to let you in.

The tasting takes place beneath the restaurant, in a vaulted cellar dating to the 18th century. The setting does much of the work before the first pour arrives. Instead of sitting in a modern classroom, you are surrounded by shelves and the atmosphere of a working cheese business.

The name Cave of 100 Cheeses is not just decoration. More than 100 cheeses are kept in the cellar, making the downstairs visit worthwhile even if you are already familiar with French cheese. You will not taste all of them during the session, of course. The point is to see the setting and understand that this is a real cheese institution, not a temporary tasting room.

The family-run business began in 1987. That background matters because the tasting is connected to a restaurant and shop with a longer relationship to cheese than a typical sightseeing activity. If you like food experiences with a sense of place, this cellar is more rewarding than a generic wine bar.

How the 90-minute tasting unfolds

You sit around a large communal table, which helps the session feel relaxed from the start. The size can vary, but one booking had a group of eight, a comfortable number for conversation without losing the personal touch. You should expect a social setting rather than a private tasting for two.

The tasting is arranged in three rounds. Each platter contains three cheeses, giving you nine cheeses in total. Each platter is paired with one Bordeaux wine, so you taste three wines across the session:

• A dry white Bordeaux
• A Bordeaux red
• A sweet Sauternes

Traditional sourdough baguette from a neighborhood bakery is served with the cheese. The bread is not an afterthought. It gives you a plain, familiar base between samples and helps make the tasting feel like food rather than a series of tiny bites.

The host guides you through each pairing and explains the cheeses, their regions, and the wines. The style is interactive. You can ask questions, compare flavors with the people at your table, and hear stories rather than simply listen to a memorized speech.

The order of the wines gives the tasting a sensible flow. A dry white starts the session, followed by red, then sweet Sauternes. The final wine makes the tasting feel like a finish rather than just another round. Exact cheese names are not fixed in the information provided, so you should expect a changing selection rather than a guaranteed list.

The cheese selection: nine French examples

The strongest reason to book this is the range. Nine cheeses from different French regions offer a compact tour of the country’s cheese-making traditions. You are not simply given three familiar varieties and sent on your way. The host uses the selection to show how milk, region, aging, and production style affect the final taste.

Each round includes three cheeses. Try each one first on its own, then with the wine. That simple method helps you notice the difference between a cheese that tastes sharp or salty by itself and one that becomes smoother beside a particular wine.

The designation AOC, or Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, ties a product to a recognized place and method. You may also see AOP, the European designation used for protected origin products. The important point for you is that these are not random supermarket samples. Their names and production methods are linked to specific French regions.

The tasting works well for beginners because the host explains the basics without making the session feel like school. It also suits people who already know wine or cheese. One particularly enthusiastic participant who came from Oregon, a major American wine region, found the cheese information unusually useful and rated the event above a Bordeaux wine tour taken the day before.

Arrive with an appetite. Several participants found there was a lot of cheese, and one person ordered more after the formal tasting ended. That makes the $57 price easier to justify, especially in a city where a sit-down meal can quickly cost as much.

Three Bordeaux wines, including Sauternes

Bordeaux is famous for red wine, but this tasting wisely does not stop there. You try a dry white, a red, and Sauternes, a sweet wine from the Bordeaux area. That gives you three distinct styles and lets the host explain why a cheese may work better with one than another.

The red is the pairing most people may expect from Bordeaux. It gives you a chance to consider how a firmer or more savory cheese responds to a fuller wine. The dry white brings a different balance, while the Sauternes offers a sweet finish that can work especially well with strongly flavored or salty cheese.

The best part is not simply drinking three glasses. It is tasting the same general food category against different wine styles. You learn by comparison, which is much more useful than hearing a list of wine terms.

Portions are intended for tasting, not heavy drinking. One participant specifically noted that the session did not leave the group feeling tipsy. Still, you are consuming three wines in 90 minutes, so pace yourself and eat the bread and cheese as you go.

The tasting is offered in English. The hosts have been praised for explaining both the wine and cheese clearly, while keeping the tone light. Past hosts have included Patrick, Marti, Melanie, and others, so the individual presenter may vary. The repeated praise is aimed at the host’s energy, humor, warmth, and ability to answer questions without overwhelming the table.

The host makes the difference

This is a host-led activity, and the presenter matters. A good host can turn nine cheese samples into a memorable food lesson. A flat presentation would make the same ingredients feel routine.

The strongest feedback centers on the guides. People especially valued the witty, welcoming approach and the way the hosts connected each product to its region. Marti was praised for a mildly educational presentation that was friendly and easy to follow. Patrick was singled out for making the experience especially enjoyable. Melanie was praised for her knowledge of both wine and cheese.

That does not mean you should expect a formal sommelier course. This is a fun, conversational tasting. You will learn about appellations, production areas, pairings, and French food traditions, but the emphasis is on enjoyment.

The communal table is part of the design. You may share observations with other people and hear different reactions to the same cheese. If you prefer complete privacy, this may not be your ideal format. If you enjoy a little conversation over food, it adds to the appeal.

Is $57 a fair price?

At $57 per person, the tasting is not the cheapest way to have a glass of wine and a snack in Bordeaux. It is a fair price if you value the setting, the guidance, and the amount of cheese served.

You receive nine cheeses, three Bordeaux wines, sourdough bread, and 90 minutes of instruction and entertainment. Several people found the servings generous enough to count as a substantial snack or light meal. The experience also gives you access to the cellar, which adds character you cannot get at an ordinary wine counter.

The price is less attractive for children because the same rate applies to adults and children from age four. Children under 18 receive grape juice from local wineries instead of wine, which is a thoughtful option, but you should consider whether a young child will enjoy a 90-minute cheese presentation.

For adults who like both wine and food, the value is stronger. You get a broad sample rather than paying separately for multiple tastings. It can also help you decide what cheeses or wines to seek out later in Bordeaux.

Timing, meeting details, and practical limits

You can reserve a morning session at 11:30 AM or an afternoon session at 5:30 PM, depending on availability. The morning time works well as a substantial start to the day. The late afternoon session can serve as an aperitif before dinner, though you should not assume it replaces an evening meal.

No transportation is included. You make your own way to 19 rue Huguerie. On arrival, ring the doorbell and wait for your host to open the door.

Bring a passport or ID card. The minimum legal drinking age is 18, and participants under 18 receive local grape juice. Children under four are not allowed, and pets are not permitted.

The activity is not considered suitable for pregnant women. If that applies to you, choose another Bordeaux food activity that does not center on wine. The experience is offered in English, with an English-speaking host or greeter.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Bordeaux plans are still changing.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this tasting to adults who want a friendly introduction to French cheese and Bordeaux wine without committing to a full-day vineyard tour. It is especially useful if you have limited time in the city and want one compact food activity with a strong sense of place.

It also suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people around a table. The atmosphere is informal, and the humor keeps the session from feeling technical.

Families can make it work if children aged four and up enjoy cheese and can manage 90 minutes at a communal table. The grape juice is a nice touch, but the adult and child pricing means families should weigh the cost.

I would be more cautious about booking if you dislike communal dining, want a private tasting, or are looking for a full lunch. The food is generous for a tasting, but the main purpose is sampling and learning.

Should you book the Bordeaux cheese and wine tasting?

Yes, if you want a generous, cheerful introduction to French cheese in a memorable setting. The cellar, nine-cheese format, three Bordeaux wines, and strong hosts give you more than a quick drink with a token snack.

I especially like this for a first or second day in Bordeaux. It gives you useful vocabulary for French cheese, a basic sense of Bordeaux wine styles, and ideas for what to order during the rest of your trip. Book it if you enjoy food served with stories and conversation.

Skip it if you need a private experience, have a very young child, or want a complete meal. For everyone else, the 18th-century cellar and generous portions make the $57 cost reasonable, with the host’s personality often turning a good tasting into a memorable one.

FAQ

Where does the Bordeaux cheese and wine tasting take place?

It takes place at 19 rue Huguerie in Bordeaux, beneath the restaurant in the 18th-century vaulted Cave of 100 Cheeses.

How long does the tasting last?

The tasting lasts 90 minutes.

What time does the tasting start?

Available sessions begin at 11:30 AM or 5:30 PM, depending on your reservation and availability.

How many cheeses and wines are included?

You taste nine French AOC or AOP cheeses and three Bordeaux wines. The cheeses are served in three platters, with three cheeses paired with each wine.

Which wines are served?

The tasting includes a dry white Bordeaux, a Bordeaux red, and Sauternes.

Can children attend?

Children under four are not allowed. Children aged four and up pay the same price as adults, and participants under 18 receive grape juice from local wineries instead of wine.

What should I bring and what is not allowed?

Bring a passport or ID card. Pets are not permitted.