Bordeaux
What to Expect
Bordeaux, the world's wine capital, is experiencing a natural wine revolution. While the city is surrounded by prestigious châteaux producing classified growths, the urban scene has embraced "vin naturel" with passion. From Saint-Pierre's hidden alleys to the historic Chartrons wine quarter, expect to find natural wine bars serving zero-sulfite Garonne wines alongside Pet-Nats from the Loire and orange wines from the Jura—all within walking distance of each other.
Saint-Pierre (Historic Heart)
The natural wine headquarters of Bordeaux and the meeting spot for trendy chefs and wine personalities. Tucked down a small alley in Saint-Pierre, Soif boasts nearly 350 low-intervention wine selections from all corners of France and beyond: Bordeaux, Dordogne, Champagne, Burgundy, the Loire, Savoie, Roussillon, Catalonia, even the Douro. Don't miss exceptional bottles featuring rare grape varieties from Domaine Plageoles (just three hours away). The bistro serves exquisite seasonal dishes—think yellow pollack with hazelnuts or fried pig's foot with oysters and purslane. Owners Nicolas Lefevre and Cécile Lambré have created the city's most important natural wine destination. It's where the wine community gathers; you might spot local winemakers or Parisian sommeliers at the next table.
The pink neon beacon for adventurous souls. Don't let the name fool you—"jaja" is slang for "plonk," but you'll find no low-quality wine here. Behind a storefront with unmistakable pink neon lights just meters from the Garonne riverbanks, this bar serves only organic, biodynamic, or natural wines. The walls are adorned with bottles sorted by color and region, creating a vibrant, artistic atmosphere. The wine list focuses on small French producers working without chemicals. The small plates are simple but excellent—beetroot hummus, kalamata olive spread, crusty bread, charcuterie, and sausages. The affable team is happy to guide you through their eclectic selection. It's unpretentious, fun, and perfect for natural wine enthusiasts seeking discovery. Order at the bar and prepare for a lively evening.
The wine bar with no wine list. Opened in June 2022 by Marianne Lay, this charming spot quickly became a sensation. The concept is revolutionary: there is absolutely no wine list. Instead, you tell Marianne what you feel like drinking, and she selects the perfect bottle for you using her "special hunch." With nearly 70 wines (natural, biodynamic, and organic) and a wall of bottles climbing four meters high, the selection is impressive. Rotating wines by the glass (5-6€) include three reds, three whites, a rosé, plus a natural sparkling or orange wine. The food menu features homemade piadinas, cheese plates, cured meats, and small plates to share. There's a small terrace for summer days, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Pet-friendly, so bring your dog. Arrive early—it gets packed quickly with locals who've made this their neighborhood spot.
The sleek temple to oenological exploration. Located around the corner from the 15th-century Saint-Pierre church, this wine and charcuterie bar features dispensing machines that allow you to taste in measures of 30, 60, or 120ml. The wine list is a heavy leather binder showcasing over 1,800 wines, with 40 served by the glass that change regularly. Enjoy top estates alongside lesser-known producers, or delve deeper at their masterclasses (recent editions featured Château Ausone and Cos d'Estournel). The duck charcuterie is legendary. The sleek, modern design contrasts with the historic surroundings. It's the perfect place to sample classified growths without committing to a full bottle, or to discover natural Bordeaux from small producers. The team of young sommeliers is passionate and knowledgeable, guiding you through their extensive collection with enthusiasm.
The 50-page wine list institution. This unassuming corner house on a quiet street houses one of Bordeaux's most impressive collections: over 1,300 wine references in a 50-page tome. The list leans toward organic and biodynamic wines without being sectarian, offering affordable prices on everything from traditional vintages to prize wines from small producers. The sommelier team delights in guiding customers with weekly glass selections, wines of the month, and personal favorites. The no-fuss kitchen focuses on local produce. Just across the road, L'Univerre has also opened a grocery store and a cellar specializing in Burgundy with over 2,000 selections. It's a true "lieu de vie" where epicureans have their regular table. The atmosphere is warm, knowledgeable, and never pretentious—perfect for both novices and experts.
Chartrons (Historic Wine Quarter)
The Chartrons waterfront wine destination (despite its name meaning "sober" in French). Located in the historic wine quarter near the river, Le Sobre offers a comprehensive selection of French appellations and international bottles. Founded by Jean (winemaker) and Pierre (wine merchant), it was a "wine-win" partnership. Take your pick from the cellar shop and enjoy on-site with a low corkage fee (just €10 per bottle). Around 25 wines are available by the glass, with Enomatic dispensing machines allowing self-service exploration. They host a blind tasting each week with a small prize for the winner—perfect for testing your Bordeaux wine knowledge. The atmosphere is modern and relaxed, with views of the quays. The food menu features tartines and locally sourced French products. It's the ideal spot to sample expensive bottles without restaurant markups.
The Mediterranean-Asian fusion with natural wine soul. Opened by young Parisians in the heart of Chartrons, Papouch is named after the owner's grandfather (his bicycle hangs in the main dining room). The cuisine blends Mediterranean, Oriental, and Asian flavors to sublimate local products—think fish and rice balls with wasabi (a rarity in spice-shy Bordeaux), Lebanese bread with yogurt sauce, and refined small plates to share. The natural wine selection is curated to match the bold flavors, featuring sulfite-free bottles that can stand up to the spices. The space is organic and colorful, with influences from multiple travels. The concept is sharing plates, so bring friends. It's a welcome departure from traditional Bordelais cuisine, offering the kind of creative, wine-focused dining you'd expect in Paris or London, but with local ingredients.
The Franco-Australian wine bar with expat energy. Opened by French-Australian couple Aaron and Albane on the main street of posh Chartrons, Yarra cultivates a very international ambiance. The space occupies what used to be a wine cellar in a typical Chartrons building—the front is industrial-chic, while the back offers cozy sofas for relaxed sipping. The wine list features 200+ bottles from Bordeaux, Australia, South Africa, and lesser-known appellations worldwide. There's no official list; let Albane guide you through their eclectic selection. The food menu is one of the best bar menus in Bordeaux—antipasti, duck tartare, pulled pork mini-burgers, and vegan options. They host cultural evenings, game watches, and expat gatherings. It's where Bordeaux's international community gathers for natural wine and global flavors.
Saint-Michel (Vibrant & Diverse)
The terrace overlooking Saint-Michel Basilica. In an intimate, minimalist setting, Julien Chive ("Julo" to everyone) offers exclusive wines paired with delightful small plates. This wine bar-shop-gourmet grocery hybrid features over 700 wines from all French regions—Bordeaux, Rhône, Languedoc, Loire, Jura—plus international selections. When it comes to Bordeaux, expect terroir-driven expressions from talented small winemakers rather than big châteaux. The charcuterie and cheese are some of the best in France, Spain, and Italy. Request a table on the square behind the basilica to watch the multicultural neighborhood transition into evening ambiance. It's the perfect spot for those who want to travel the wine world from one glass to another in Bordeaux's most diverse district.
The 1970s time capsule off the tourist trail. Opened 18 months ago in a largely unknown corner of Bordeaux, this word-of-mouth spot boasts around 300 wine selections curated by owner Thierry Basbayon at astonishingly reasonable prices. It's both wine shop and bar (Thu-Sat evenings), plus an unpretentious bistro serving French sharing dishes Tuesday-Friday lunch. The décor looks straight out of a dreamy 1970s film—Formica counter, vintage chairs and stools, and a large communal table accommodating up to a dozen guests. The menu features roasted camembert, deviled eggs, cheese platters, and sausages. This is where locals bring friends to discover "real" Bordeaux away from the tourist center. The wine selection emphasizes small producers and natural wines at prices that won't break the bank. Cash only or bring a sense of adventure.
Centre & Sainte-Colombe
The biodynamic education center in the heart of Bordeaux. More than just a wine bar, ComplanTerra is a wine school, tasting workshop, and meeting place for committed winegrowers. They specialize in organic, biodynamic, and natural wines, offering regular masterclasses to explore these wine styles. The "ComplanTerra Wine Bar" serves their bestsellers and discoveries by the glass, paired with quality homemade food. It's a space for meeting passionate producers and learning about sustainable viticulture. Whether you're a beginner or expert, the team guides you through tastings with patience and knowledge. Check their schedule for winemaker meet-ups and themed tastings. It's the intellectual heart of Bordeaux's natural wine scene—where you drink and learn simultaneously.
The charming spot with Grosse Cloche views. Located on one of Bordeaux's most charming streets leading to the stunning Grosse Cloche (Great Bell), this cozy wine bar offers 450+ wines from small, independent, mainly organic and biodynamic producers. Owners Alexandre Lahitte and Jean Astruc opened in 2010 and have created a warm, unpretentious atmosphere. A weekly rotation of 20 bottles available by the glass changes according to season and mood. The chocolate platter—eight dark pieces from Maison Michel Cluizel paired with wine—is a brilliant concept for after-dinner treats. They offer older vintages, which is rare in Bordeaux wine bars. The terrace offers views of the historic monument. All employees are knowledgeable sommeliers happy to guide you through regional classics or original discoveries. It's the kind of neighborhood bar that makes you wish you lived nearby.
The official Bordeaux wine institution. Run by the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB), this bar occupies the ground floor of an elegant 18th-century building (Maison Gobineau) steps from the Grand Théâtre. It's one of the largest wine bars in the city and the perfect place to sample Bordeaux wines without breaking the bank. Approximately 40-50 wines by the glass range from €2.50 (Bordeaux Supérieur) to €3 (Château Ladignac Cru Bourgeois 2011). The list covers all Bordeaux appellations: Crémant, Sauternes, 1855 classed growths, Right and Left Banks. The terrace overlooks the Grand Théâtre—a stunning backdrop. The atmosphere is unique: tourists mingle with locals, novices with connoisseurs. In the evening, you might queue to get in, but the affordable prices and educational aspect make it worth the wait. Also offers cheese boards and charcuterie.
The nautical wine expedition with 100 wines by the glass. Opened by three friends who share a passion for wine (and recently expanded to Nantes and La Rochelle), this modern wine bar has a deliberate maritime theme—"pinardier" being old French naval slang for wine. The concept was born from their travels: they found a lack of choice for wines by the glass, so created a list with almost 100 options, all available by the glass thanks to Coravin. Only 30 wines are from Bordeaux; the rest come from across France and unique international selections from Bulgaria and Israel. The list changes monthly. Try the truffle cheese paired with Clos Dady Sauternes. The atmosphere is youthful and adventurous, with a "sailor" vibe. You can purchase bottles to take away. Perfect for those seeking unusual wines not found elsewhere in Bordeaux.
