A November Celebration: Wine and the French Way of Life

We arrived in November, when Bordeaux settles into a slower, more intimate rhythm. The summer crowds departed, leaving behind a place that felt more authentic, more in tune with its true self. The locals reclaimed their cafés. The markets hummed at a relaxed pace, and a crisp autumn air carried the scent of fallen leaves. It was the perfect time to celebrate! Two milestone birthdays and thirty years of marriage.

This trip wasn’t just about seeing Bordeaux; it was about feeling it, experiencing it. During my wine studies it was critical to understand Bordeaux’s geography, climate, grape varietals, and the unique terroir that makes it one of the most revered wine regions in the world but, nothing compares to standing in the vineyards themselves. Walking through rows of gnarled vines, we could feel the generations of dedication poured into these lands.

Bordeaux wines are a true reflection of the land and the people who cultivate them. The region is divided by the Gironde Estuary into two distinct wine-producing areas the Left Bank and the Right Bank, each with its own character and philosophy. The Left Bank, is home to the Médoc and Graves appellations, which is known for its gravelly soil, which allows for excellent drainage and results in structured, age-worthy wines dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines are powerful, tannic, and complex, and include some of the most famous names in the wine world, like Château Margaux, Château Latour, and Château Lafite Rothschild.

On the Right Bank, the clay and limestone soils are better suited for Merlot and Cabernet Franc, producing wines that are plush, velvety, and often more approachable. Here, in the rolling hills of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, we discovered wines that were generous, expressive, and deeply satisfying. Château Cheval Blanc, Château Angélus, and the legendary Château Pétrus are just a few of the stars of this side of Bordeaux.

What makes Bordeaux wines so captivating isn’t just their history or prestige, it’s their ability to tell a story. Each bottle carries the essence of the land, the climate of the vintage, and the passion of the people who crafted it. Sitting at a long wooden table in a winemaker’s tasting room, tasting wines that had been nurtured for years, we weren’t just visitors; we were part of something timeless. There is a warmth to Bordeaux hospitality that is undeniable too, you are never a stranger when there is wine on the table.

Beyond the vineyards, Bordeaux embodies the European approach to life, one that lingers over meals, values quality over speed, and finds joy in the everyday. One of our favorite moments was a day trip to Sarlat, a medieval town south of Bordeaux, where we were guided by the wonderful Mélanie. At one point, I asked her what she considered the most important meal of the day. She gave me a bemused look, as if the question itself made no sense. Then, with perfect English and a flawless French accent, she responded, “All of our meals are important.” What I meant and what she heard were two different things but, her answer was perfect. Every meal in France is an occasion, a moment to pause, to connect, to appreciate. Breakfast is not rushed, lunch is not just a break, and dinner is never an afterthought. Food and wine are woven into the rhythm of daily life, and there is something profoundly beautiful about the experience.

Although I took dozens of photos during our journey, there was one that stood out among them. This photo was taken from a parking lot in Saint-Émilion, it captured the full moon hanging over the vineyards, casting a soft glow over the land that had given us so much joy. That moon, on that very night, was the same moon my family and friends were seeing back home. A quiet reminder that no matter where we are in the world, we are connected. This journey was not just about wine, or history, or even celebration, it was about togetherness, about savoring the moment, about understanding that in the vastness of life, we are never truly alone.

Bordeaux, in November, gave us time to slow down, to celebrate, and to truly enjoy not just its wines, but its way of life, and this more than any bottle we brought home is the greatest souvenir of all.