Wine Bar Walk, Local Expert

Toulouse drinks well after dark, and a local wine expert knows where. This walk moves between city-center wine bars for seated tastings of southwest French bottles.

Overview

Three wine bars, one evening, and a guide who happens to be a certified French Wine Scholar. That is the shape of this 2.5 hour walking tour from Taste of Toulouse, which centres on the French tradition of apéro, the pre-dinner drinks and nibbles that friends share before a meal. You meet at Place de la Trinité in the city centre and walk between bars, tasting local wines and sharing a cheese and charcuterie platter along the way.

The focus is on southwest France's little-known wine regions and grape varieties such as Négrette, Mauzac and Braucol. Along the way the guide untangles France's AOC and IGP labelling system, teaches tasting vocabulary, and answers questions, so you leave better able to order wine with confidence anywhere. The total amount served is the equivalent of about three glasses, and the tone is relaxed rather than academic. Reviewers describe guides who are knowledgeable and friendly, and one traveller noted that the follow-up email listing the wines tasted and the bars visited exceeded expectations.

This suits people who want an evening out that doubles as an introduction to local wine and the city centre's bar scene. It is not a bar crawl, and there are no substitutions for non-wine-drinkers, so it works best for people who actually want to drink wine.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Place de la TrinitéThe group gathers at Place de la Trinité, 31000 Toulouse, in the city centre. There is no pickup or hotel transfer.
2. Wine bar stopsThe tour visits three local wine bars in the Toulouse city centre, tasting local wines at each stop.
3. Cheese and charcuterieA shared cheese and charcuterie platter is included, along with water, at some point during the evening. The listing does not specify which stop carries the food.
4. Tour endsThe evening finishes after the final wine bar stop. A post-tour email follows with the wines tasted, the locations visited and further resources.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of the evening.

• Walking distance. The listing asks you to be prepared to walk at least 2km between bars. Wear comfortable shoes, since the whole tour moves on foot through the city centre.
• Rain or shine. Tours run whatever the weather, so bring a jacket or umbrella if the forecast looks poor. One reviewer mentioned bars with a cozy atmosphere both inside and outside.
• Food and drink. A shared cheese and charcuterie platter, water and the equivalent of at least three glasses of wine are included. Extra food or drinks beyond that are not, and there are no substitutions for non-wine-drinkers.
• Group feel. Reviewers describe small, personal groups, with one mentioning a group of only eight and another a group of five. The setting is intimate enough that questions are encouraged throughout.
• Dietary needs. Let the operator know any dietary restrictions in advance so they can prepare. This is stated in the listing's know-before-you-go notes.
• After the tour. A follow-up email lists the wines tasted, the bars visited and other resources. One reviewer said this follow-up exceeded expectations, so it is worth keeping an eye on your inbox.

Common issues. The tour is wine-focused, and the listing states plainly that no substitutions are available for people who do not drink wine, so it is a poor fit for non-drinkers. It is also not a bar crawl, with the equivalent of about three glasses served across the evening rather than unlimited drinking. One reviewer felt the price was a little high compared with similar tours elsewhere in Europe, though they still enjoyed the experience. The walking requirement of at least 2km, rain or shine, may matter for anyone with limited mobility.

Common Questions