What to Wear on a Bordeaux Wine Tour
You are visiting a working winery and tasting room, not a formal event. Wear what you’d wear to brunch: neat jeans or chinos, a clean shirt or jumper, closed-toe shoes. Trainers are fine if they’re clean. Avoid open-toe sandals, flip-flops, and stilettos (cellar floors are uneven and can be slippery). Flat, sturdy shoes with good grip matter because you’ll walk cobbled streets in Saint-Émilion and potentially muddy vineyard paths.
Bring a layer. Cellars stay at 12–14°C (54–57°F) year-round. Even in July and August, when Bordeaux is 30°C outside, the tasting rooms are cool. A cardigan, light sweater, or blazer solves this. Winter visitors need a proper warm jacket and waterproof coat.
Do not wear heavy perfume or cologne. The tasting room is small, and strong fragrance interferes with your ability to smell the wines and bothers others. A light personal scent is fine, but strong perfume will work against you.
When you hold a wine glass, hold it by the stem, not the bowl. This keeps the wine at the right temperature and prevents fingerprints on the glass. It’s the habit professionals develop, and the guide will appreciate that you know this.
The dress code is simpler than you think. Look neat, wear sturdy shoes, bring a layer, and go easy on fragrance. Winery visits are about the wine, not your outfit.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear to a Bordeaux wine tour?
Smart-casual: clean jeans or chinos, a shirt or jumper, and flat closed-toe shoes with good grip (cellar floors are uneven). Bring a cardigan or jacket; cellars are 12–14°C even in summer. Avoid heavy perfume, open-toe sandals, and formal wear.
Why does fragrance matter at a tasting?
Strong perfume or cologne interferes with your ability to smell the wines—that's a big part of the tasting experience. It also bothers other tasters in the small tasting room. Light personal scent is fine; heavy fragrance is not.
Do I need to dress formally for a wine tour?
No. Nobody wears gowns or formal dress. Smart-casual is perfect. The focus is on the wine and the estate, not your outfit. Winery guides are used to seeing casual but neat visitors.