Do People Bathe in Bordeaux Red Wine? (It's True!)

Haha, you've hit the nail on the head! This sounds like a luxurious scene straight out of a movie, but it absolutely exists! Though, it might be a bit different from what you're imagining.

Let me break down the ins and outs for you.

What's Really Going On?

First, you need to know about a concept: Vinothérapie (Wine Therapy).

This trend actually originated in the Bordeaux region of France. There's a very famous spa there called Les Sources de Caudalie (The Sources of Caudalie), located right in the vineyards of a top-tier winery. They are the pioneers and masters of the "red wine bath."

But! Here's the key point: they don't actually have you jump into a bathtub filled with expensive wines like Lafite or Margaux. If that were the case, it wouldn't be a bath; it would be money! A bathtub full of Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé wine would cost a fortune – way too extravagant!

Here's how it actually works:

They add large amounts of grape seed extract, grapevine cuttings, and the leftover grape skins and pulp from winemaking (pomace) to warm thermal spring water. These elements are the essence of "Wine Therapy." Sometimes, a bit of red wine might be added for aroma and ambiance, but it's definitely not the main ingredient.

So, what you're soaking in is actually a "herbal bath rich in the essence of red wine," not a "pure red wine bath."

(An illustration found online, roughly captures the vibe)

Why Bathe in Wine? What Are the Benefits?

This comes down to the most valuable skincare component in red wine (or rather, grapes) – Polyphenols.

You've probably heard the term "antioxidant," right? Our skin produces "free radicals" due to sun exposure, stress, pollution, etc. These little troublemakers are one of the culprits behind skin aging and wrinkles. "Antioxidants" work to neutralize these "free radicals."

The polyphenols found in grape seeds and skins, especially "resveratrol," are incredibly powerful antioxidants. So, theoretically, bathing in these extracts offers several benefits:

Anti-Aging: Helps skin resist oxidation, delays aging, and makes skin firmer and more elastic.
Boosts Circulation: Warm water combined with grape extracts promotes blood circulation, giving you a healthier glow.
Softens Skin: Leaves skin feeling smooth and supple after the bath.

In short, it's a luxurious skincare treatment harnessing the natural antioxidant power of grapes. Drinking red wine is "internal consumption," while a wine bath is the "external application."

Can We Do This at Home?

Reading this, are you tempted to go home and pour a couple of bottles of wine into your bathtub?

Absolutely do not!

It's incredibly wasteful! Even a cheap bottle of wine costs more than a decent bottle of shower gel. Pouring drinkable wine down the drain is a shame.
It's ineffective! The concentration of polyphenols in regular red wine, diluted in a whole bathtub of water, becomes negligible. Plus, the alcohol, sugar, and pigments in the wine could irritate sensitive skin and might even stain your bathtub, making cleanup a nightmare.
The experience might be unpleasant! Imagine soaking in a sticky, sour-smelling tub – it probably wouldn't feel very luxurious.

If you really want to try something similar:

A much more sensible approach is to buy bath products containing grape seed extract or resveratrol, like bath oils, bath salts, or body lotions. Many skincare brands (like Caudalie, mentioned earlier) actually specialize in this. This way, you get the skincare benefits of grapes affordably and conveniently, without messing up your bathroom.

To summarize:

Do people really bathe in "Bordeaux red wine"? Yes, but not by pouring pure wine. They go to specialized spas to soak in thermal water enriched with grape seed extract, pomace, and other grape essences.
It's a luxurious "Vinothérapie" treatment, focused on antioxidant and anti-aging benefits.
Don't try to replicate it at home – it's ineffective and wasteful. For a similar experience, opt for professional grape-based skincare products.

So, next time you chat with friends about this, you can knowledgeably say: "Hey, that's called Vinothérapie! It's not wine in the water; it's the essence of grapes!" Doesn't that instantly sound more sophisticated?