The Best Wine Bars in Bordeaux (by a local)

If you are only going to stop at one wine bar in Bordeaux: this has to be it. The Bar à Vin is part of the regional Wine School and sells Bordeaux wines exclusively by the glass at the best prices in town. In a stunning building with stained glass windows, young sommeliers serve red, white, rosé and sparkling from the region. They will advise you on the best choices to make depending on your taste, what to pair your wine with (cheese, chocolate or cold cuts) and which glasses to use. The wine list is regularly updated. The atmosphere is classy and formal, and you definitely get a lot of different age ranges here. You can't reserve in advance so I recommend arriving as early as possible in the afternoon if you don't want to wait too long to be seated. I wouldn't recommend coming here as an alternative to dinner as the food isn't quite the best in town.

Tucked away behind the cathedral in the St Michel area (which is in my top 7 places to explore in Bordeaux), Julo is a classic wine bar, as well as a cellar and deli. They serve and sell wine from all over France, and there is a variety of delicious food boards to choose from, with local produce but also delicacies from Italy and Spain. The waiters are trained sommeliers that give great advice on the almost 700 different wines that they have to offer. In the summer this is one of the nicest places to sit outside and take in the atmosphere of one of the liveliest places in the city. The ambience is warm, friendly and relaxed, which is why many locals come here all year round. It's a top spot for older students, young professionals and first dates.

Located on the beautiful St James street, if you are lucky enough to sit out on the small terrace you will have a lovely view of the oh-so-instagramable Grosse Cloche (Big Bell). The Wine More Time has been in Bordeaux for 12 years and has a strong community of regulars. Excellent value for money, it is both a bar and a wine cellar. You can enjoy fresh tapas and charcuterie boards in an unpretentious venue surrounded by Bordelais. It's a great place to warm up before having a night out or meet up for an after work glass of red.

This little spot is a real treat, starting with its fairytale location right by the Porte Cailhau. In the middle of the "palace square" you'll feel like you are in a romantic movie. The vast wine selection caters to all tastes and the staff are always excellent at giving advice. The menu consists of small sharing and tapas-style dishes that go from traditional saucisson and cheese to lobster in pear and coconut soufflé. The cuisine is rich and certainly on the pricier side. Definitely a stop for a foodie looking for something a little more refined to accompany a wine adventure. The atmosphere is warm and jovial, but be warned it can get very loud inside!

A great wine bar where the cheese takes center stage. There are two locations for this popular spot, one in the Chartrons and the other near La Place du Parlement. My favorite venue is the former, but either way the staff are always fun and welcoming. It is a very casual spot for amateur cheese lovers, so no need to dress up. Explore a variety of different types of dairy, goats cheese and sheep cheese paired with the appropriate glass of wine of course! Be prepared to taste local classics as well as fun new culinary fusion. As far as I know there is no vegan cheese yet.

A stylish bar for a modern tasting experience. Vin Urbains offers a sophisticated selection of wine from different regions of France and the world. 80% of their wine menu is organic, in keeping with the recent shift in production. The dinning experience here is supreme. The staff are kind and as qualified sommeliers, they are passionate about what they do. The food selection is really some of the best in the old town. They don't do dinner as such but instead offer high quality sharing plates; some traditional staples, but a lot of delicious fusion too. Importantly, there are vegetarian options! It's a bar that comes up often in lists of the "best wine bars" in Bordeaux and for good reason. But be careful, the bar entrance is so small and modest, you might miss it!

Tutiac is renowned in Bordeaux as the first bar in France to be established by wine producers. Indeed, they grow 100% of their inventory. The company owns over 5000 hectares of vineyards on either side of the river and produce red, rosé, white and sparkling wine. The Bistro is a high class restaurant that offers a quality experience with local produce from regional cooperatives. There is an option to have the staff pick your wine (up to 5 from the Tutiac selection) for you to accompany every course and I highly recommend it. The food is very rich and you might find yourself in need of a little post-dinner walk. Luckily you are in one of the prettiest areas of historical Bordeaux!

I bring all my guests to this wine bar. It is the perfect place to discover and explore different types of wine for both the newbie and the connoisseur. You can order a bottle (prices from 18 to 10 000 Euros!) or you can taste different wine from all over the world, of different ages and prices. They stand out as they have an air-compressed dispenser system that keeps bottles for a prolonged period of time. They also have one of the best cheeseboards out of all the wineries in Bordeaux. Please indulge on my behalf!

There may come a point where you tire of Bordeaux wine. Or perhaps you've come before and you're looking for something a little different? In which case I would suggest: A Cantina Corse Its a cosy venue on two floors. As you can imagine, the wine options have travelled from Napoleon's home island of Corsica. The list is extensive and the flavours very different from the regional viniculture. They offer tasting and discovery packages that are perfect for those unfamiliar with Corsican wine. The food selection is inspired by the Mediterranean, so it stands out from the surrounding bars in the heart of Bordeaux. Over the course of the evening this convivial bar gets louder and louder. If you arrive around 7.00 you'll find yourself in a classy lounge bar. After 9.00, the atmosphere warms up to something lively and tavern-y and the place can get quite packed. By 11.00 on the weekends there is a dance floor. As you can imagine, this place is popular with all different ages so it is often full, I would recommend making a reservation beforehand.

I have heard only great things about this bar, that operates in a similar way to my personal favorite: Aux Quatre Coins Du Vin. I haven't been there myself yet, so I couldn't recommend this wine bar. However, locals that I trust have put Sobre in their top 5 places to taste wine in Bordeaux - so that is saying something !

At a first glance this place seemed like a bit of a tourist trap, so I have never tried it. However, through my research and having asked around a bit, I have got very positive feedback. As well as selling, they host a number of events that cater to amateurs, tourists and connoisseurs. I must try myself and then update this page - Does it belong on my list? We'll find out!