Jennifer from Luxe Adventure Traveler and Bordeaux Travel Guide

In Episode 008, I speak with Jennifer Dombrowski of Luxe Adventure Traveler and Bordeaux Travel Guide. Join me as I go behind the scenes with this American writer and blogger living in Bordeaux.

Jennifer and I discuss:

• The origin story of Luxe Adventure Traveler and Bordeaux Travel Guide.  

• The challenge of finding Bordeaux-related tourism information in English, and how that’s been changing in recent years.

• Jennifer’s best insider tips for travel to Bordeaux!

A Guide to Episode 008 of Bordeaux Buzz:

Here’s a brief guide to my conversation with Jennifer in Bordeaux Buzz Episode 008, with a few additional resources from Jennifer herself:

How Many Days Should I Spend in Bordeaux?

• Why travelers should spend more than one day in Bordeaux (if they can!).

• Things to do in Bordeaux and the Gironde if you don’t drink wine.

• What to do Beyond Bordeaux.

• For tips, read Jennifer’s Beyond Bordeaux blog.

What are the Best Places to Stay in Bordeaux?

• Jennifer’s recommendations for hotels inside and outside the city.

• Luxe accommodations and how to stay inside a wine vat!

• For tips, read Jennifer’s blog on the best Bordeaux accommodations.

Where to Eat and Drink Wine in the City of Bordeaux?

• A guide to Bordeaux’s thriving food scene.

• Where to get wine for One Euro a glass!

• For these tips, read Jennifer’s blog on eating & drinking in Bordeaux.

Best New Thing to Do in Bordeaux?

• The world’s largest digital arts space is in Bordeaux - Bassins de Lumières.

• For a guide to this spot (& others!), read Jennifer’s guide to the best things to do in Bordeaux.

What is it Like to Live in Bordeaux?

• What is expat life life in Bordeaux?

• Life as a travel blogger during the pandemic - pivots and silver linings (and a puppy!).

Jennifer’s Insider Tips for Visiting Bordeaux

• The #1 Mistake visitors make when coming to the region (24:25).

• How one can get a taste of Bordeaux if you have only one night in Bordeaux.

• Best times of year to visit Bordeaux.

• The best shopping in Bordeaux.

• Biking rentals and trails in Bordeaux and the region, and how to find them.

How to Find Jennifer:

Check out Jennifer on Instagram:

Luxe Adventure Traveler (@luxeadventuretrvlr)

Bordeaux Travel Guide (@bordeauxtravelguide)

Coco the Traveling Samoyed (@coctravelingsamoyed)

Get great tips on Bordeaux Travel from Jennifer’s websites:

Luxe Adventure Traveler

Bordeaux Travel Guide

Or, send Jennifer a note or questions at info@luxeadventuretraveler.com!

Bordeaux Destinations Mentioned in this Episode:

• Hotels in Bordeaux:

  InterContinental Bordeaux - Le Grande Hotel

  Hotel des Quinconces

• Hotel Stay in Vineyards:
  Coup 2 Foudres at Château Bonhoste

• Dining and Wine Bars in Bordeaux:

  Wines by the glass at Max Bordeaux - Wine Gallery and Cellar

• What to Do in Bordeaux:

  World’s largest digital art museum: Bassins De Lumieres

We hope you enjoyed Episode 008 of Bordeaux Buzz! You can help support our podcast in these two simple ways:

1. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.

2. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher tell us what you think!

Your support of the Bordeaux Buzz podcast means the world to us, and doesn’t cost a cent!

Cheers!

Fine Wine and Spirits Auctions with Mark Solomon of Leland Little

In Episode 007 of Bordeaux Buzz, I interview Mark Solomon of Leland Little Wine Auctions. During the podcast, we discuss:

• How Mark and Leland Little came together to establish a fine wine and spirits auction in the Southeast USA.

• How fine wine and spirits are sourced for auction.

• The process for authenticating wine and ensuring that the wines are not counterfeit.

• The most common mistake sellers make when they sell a wine collection and how you can easily prevent this mistake.

• Mark’s work with the Commanderie de Bordeaux.

• Trends in wine and spirits auctions.

• Who is collecting what types of wine.

• Where most Bordeaux wines go after auction.

• Why the wine and spirits world attracts those from the life sciences.

• The most unique and surprising cellar Mark has come across in over a decade of sourcing fine wine and spirits.

In case this episode inspires you to learn more about Leland Little, explore the world of wine auctions, or start your own wine collection, here are a few resources:

• Contact for Mark Solomon & Leland Little Fine Wine and Spirits Auction

• The KnowWines blog, How to Sell Wine Online, where I explain in-depth my experience in selling wine with Leland Little Auctions.

• The KnowWines blog, How to Start a Wine Collection.

• More information on the Commadarie de Bordeaux.

We hope you enjoyed Episode 007 of Bordeaux Buzz! You can help support our podcast in these two simple ways:

1. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.

2. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher tell us what you think!

Your support of the Bordeaux Buzz podcast means the world to us, and doesn’t cost a cent!

Cheers!

La Cité du Vin: What to Expect When You Visit

In this episode of Bordeaux Buzz, I discuss what travelers can expect when they visit La Cité du Vin, a museum in Bordeaux that celebrates wine! I’ve traveled to La Cité du Vin twice, once in 2017 and again in 2018. If a trip to Bordeaux and La Cité du Vin is on your own list of destinations, listen in!

Where is La Cité du Vin?

La Cité du Vin is located at 134 Quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux, France. The museum is right next to the Garonne River. One of the things I most enjoyed about La Cité du Vin is the view of the Garonne from the top of the building.  

The wine museum is 3.4 km (just over 2 miles) North and East of the Tourist Information Office. It will take about 40 minutes by foot, 13 minutes by tram/foot, or 10 to 30 minutes by car, depending on the traffic.  

Where to Eat Around La Cité du Vin

Right across the street from La Cité du Vin is Les Halles Bacalan, a food market with gourmet food and drinks.

Food choices include fish, poultry, charcuterie, meat, cheese, vegetables, bread, wine, and coffee. During non-pandemic times, one can dine standing or seated at a table or in a cafeteria-type setting.  

When to Go to La Cité du Vin

Due to the pandemic and at the time of this podcast, La Cité du Vin is currently closed. In this episode of Bordeaux Buzz, I offer tips and tricks on the best time to go to the museum and how to best enjoy it when it opens.

Where to Get Tickets for La Cité du Vin

Tickets for La Cité du Vin can be purchased online via their website. Discount tickets may be available from your hotel.

For broader travel plans involving Bordeaux, check out Bordeaux Buzz Episode 004 for a guide to Bordeaux travel. Other KnowWines resources include a Day-By-Day Guide to Bordeaux as well as a guide to Saint-Émilion. And if you want to add a wine tour to your Bordeaux itinerary, check out Episode 002 of Bordeaux Buzz with Nicolle Croft to learn more.

Finally, help support our podcast in these two simple ways:

1. Please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.

2. Leave a review on Stitcher. Tell us what you think!

Your support of the Bordeaux Buzz podcast means the world to us, and doesn’t cost a cent!

Cheers!

All About Wine Storage Solutions with Roy Wilson

In Episode 005 of Bordeaux Buzz, I’ll be talking to Roy Wilson of Wine Storage Solutions LTD in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, just outside of London. We’ll hope you’ll join us for this episode! But first, a few notes on Roy Wilson and his wine storage expertise.

Why Should One Consider Wine Storage?

Some wines - in particular, many wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Mosel - benefit from cellaring.  Many of these wines are crafted with the intent for the consumer to drink 5, 20, or even 50 years from bottling!

Cellaring wine can be an economical solution if you like to purchase wines at time of release, which are often much less expensive than purchasing an already aged wine. However, you then takes on the task of cellaring the wine yourself.

For wine lovers, storing all these wines (and stories!) can become a spatial challenge as one’s collection grows, as cellaring is not without its challenges. Many a wine enthusiast has a sad tale about cellaring a wine in less than optimal storage conditions, only to open it years later and have the wine taste like vinegar.  

Is a Wine Cellar in Your Future?

Do you dream of a wall of wine, complete with beautifully lit wine bottles?  Or are you in your first apartment/flat and wonder what simple, affordable wine storage options might work for your growing wine collection?

In this episode, we cover all things wine storage, including fun insights into wine cabinet trends as well as options for small and large spaces alike.

We Talk to an Expert on Wine Storage Solutions

In this episode, I chat with Roy Wilson, Managing Director of Wine Storage Solutions LTD.  Roy has been collecting wines for over 30 years and has been in the wine storage business for over 15 years.  

In Episode 005 of Bordeaux Buzz, we discuss:

• How to store wine before you invest in a wine cabinet.

• Trends in wine cabinets (technology, aesthetics, construction, installation).

• The Espace as a solution for storing wine in an unconditioned space like a garage or barn.

• Options for storing your wine in cabinets (single shelves or stacking bottles).

• … and more!

Check Out Wine Storage Solutions LTD

The Wine Storage Solutions LTD website is gorgeous and includes directions to their showroom just outside London, in case you’re in the area! You can also follow Wine Storage Solutions LTD on Instagram for swoon-worthy photos of their storage solutions.

Live in the States?  Check out the KnowWines blog for popular articles on wine refrigerators and storage solutions on this side of the pond:

• Wood shelving for your basement or under the stairs.

• Plastic bins for storing cases of wine.

• Best wine refrigerators for wine lovers.

• The very best in wine cabinets.

• And the best wine coolers for small spaces.

Finally, please help support our podcast in these two simple ways:

• Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.

• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. Tell us what you think!

Your support of the Bordeaux Buzz podcast means the world to us, and doesn’t cost a cent!

Cheers!

How to Plan for a Trip to Bordeaux

Welcome back to Bordeaux Buzz! In Episode 004, I answer the most frequently asked questions about traveling from North America to Bordeaux.

I’ve enjoyed several wonderful trips to Bordeaux - as a solo traveler, with my spouse, and as part of a small group. My Bordeaux travels have been directly from the USA and also as a stop in my European travels. In the past five years, I’ve visited Bordeaux by airplane, with a car, and without a car. In short, I’m equipped to guide you through any type of Bordeaux adventure!

In this episode, I discuss:

• The logistics of planning a trip to Bordeaux (flights, agenda, lodging, insurance, and transportation).

• The best times of year to travel to Bordeaux.

• What to wear when traveling in Bordeaux.

• How to get your wine home from Bordeaux.

• Some sample itineraries.

• Alcohol-free and non-wine attractions in and near Bordeaux.

I hope you enjoy this episode and find it useful!

Before you book your trip, here are a few more suggestions & resources:

• Explore Bordeaux wine maps before you book your trip!

• Get the most out of your travels by setting a Wine Travel Intention in my FREE e-course!

• Book a Sip Wine Tour with Nicolle Croft, recipient of Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Award 2020! Learn more about Nicolle on her website and listen to the podcast on Nicolle and Small Independent Producers on Episode 002 of Bordeaux Buzz!

And finally, please help support our podcast in these two simple ways:

1. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.

2. Leave a review on Stitcher. Tell us what you think!

Your support of the Bordeaux Buzz podcast means the world to us, and doesn’t cost a cent!

Cheers!

Chateau Coutet of Bordeaux with Adrien David Beaulieu

In this episode of Bordeaux Buzz, Adrien David Beaulieu, 14th generation at Chateau Coutet Saint-Émilion, takes us behind the scenes of this over 400-year old estate.

We discuss:

• The history of Chateau Coutet.

• The rare flora and fauna at Coutet and the work done to protect these rare creatures.

• The unique aspect, microclimate, and terroir of the estate.

• The agricultural practices and approach to selection massale.

• The role of species diversity in the vineyard and the cellar.

• How harvest workers are organized to enable traditional winemaking techniques.

• How the Chateau accommodates visitors as more wine enthusiasts take to visiting Bordeaux to see the story behind the bottles.

Find Chateau Coutet  on Instagram and see more on the wines, vines, rare animals, and unique history of Chateau Coutet on their website.

And finally, please help support our podcast in these two simple ways:

1. Please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.

2. Leave a review on Stitcher. Tell us what you think!

Your support of the Bordeaux Buzz podcast means the world to us, and doesn’t cost a cent!

Cheers!

Bordeaux's Small Independent Producers with Nicolle Croft

In Episode 002 of Bordeaux Buzz, we talk with Nicolle Croft, entrepreneur, author, teacher, wine producer, and wine and food tour guide. Nicolle offers an overview of Bordeaux's small, independent wine producers (SIPs).  

In addition to learning more about these family-run “SIPs,” we discuss:

• Nicolle's career and how she arrived in Bordeaux.

• Innovation in Bordeaux.

• Challenges Facing small, independent wine producers.

• Wine sales in the time of COVID-19.

• History and trends in conventional, organic, and biodynamic grape growing.

• How we might return to the simple love of wine in light of recent news stories exposing how some have abused power in the world of wine.

Follow Nicolle on Instagram, read her blog on the Nicolle Croft website, and join her SIP Wine Club!

In Bordeaux Buzz 002, Nicolle also discusses her new book Bordeaux Sip by Sip. Find it on her website or purchase it here:

Bordeaux Sip by Sip, a Guide to getting to the Hea (BEAUX LIVRES - TOURISME)

By CROFT, Nicolle

Buy on Amazon

Finally, help support our podcast in these two simple ways:

1. Please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.

2. Leave a review on Stitcher. Tell us what you think!

Your support of the Bordeaux Buzz podcast means the world to us, and doesn’t cost a cent!

Cheers!

Bordeaux Buzz Podcast: Inaugural Episode

Welcome! I’m Jolene, founder of KnowWines.com. On December 28, 2020 I’m launching a new KnowWines venture - the Bordeaux Buzz podcast. Bordeaux Buzz is a bi-weekly podcast for wine lovers who want to know more about some of the over 6,000 family-run small chateaux in Bordeaux.

Over the past five years, I’ve traveled to various winemaking regions, and Bordeaux has been on my itinerary several times. I’ve traveled to Bordeaux as part of tour groups and DIY trips, and have also visited the region as a solo female traveler with great local tour guides like Nicolle Croft. I’ve traveled to Bordeaux with my husband and, on another trip, with a group of wine students I met while studying online for the WSET Advanced certification!

In each Bordeaux Buzz episode, I’ll introduce you to the people doing the work and making the wine. Often, these winemakers are carrying on traditions that have been in place for multiple generations, with the intent of passing their business to the next generation. Together, we’ll explore family-run chateaus like Chateaux Coutet, where I talk to 14th generation winemaker Adrien David Beaulieu.

I’ll also chat with adjacent small business owners, bloggers, and tour guides in the Bordeaux region. I’ll be interviewing vignerons with diverse practices, including organic, biodynamic, and conventional grape production, as well as traditional, modern, and post-modern approaches to winemaking. I’ll also be helping you to answer questions about wine storage and glassware, as many wines from this region can benefit from aging, and maturing wines can be intimidating to new wine lovers.  In addition to meeting winemakers and entrepreneurs from the Bordeaux region, I’ll also be sharing how to plan your dream trip to Bordeaux. Having been to the region a few times, I’ve learned a few valuable tips and tricks.

As I embark on the Bordeaux Buzz podcast journey with you as a listener, I’d love to know what questions you have about Bordeaux wines, grapes, and winemaking. Shoot me an email at jolene@knowwines.com and I’ll help you get the answers.

There are two simple ways to support the podcast that would mean the world to us.  And guess what?  They don’t cost a cent.

1. Please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.

2. Leave a review on Stitcher. Tell us what you think!

Cheers!