In a nutshell: France's undoubted capital of the vine and bottle – but much more besides.

Don't miss: Wineries and wine tours, the Cité du Vin, Les Quais, the Atlantic coast

Few places – anywhere on the planet – are as closely associated with one particular drink as France's sophisticated sentry of the Atlantic coast. For many of us, Bordeaux is red wine, and red wine is Bordeaux. Of course, there is much more to what is the historic capital of the Aquitaine region than vineyards and viticulture – this is an attractive city, pinned to the banks of the Garonne, just below where it merges with the River Dordogne to form the Gironde estuary. It has epic churches, great restaurants and – not too far away – lovely beaches. But if quality claret is something which appeals, then Bordeaux can be only, and all, about its most celebrated product. Pass a glass; leave the bottle on the table.

Content supplied by the Telegraph’s travel expert Chris Leadbetter