Bordeaux
Bordeaux at your next game night?
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- Designer Ben Rosset
- Publisher Road To Infamy Games (R2i Games)
- Illustration Pavel Zhovba
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You play a winemaker from Bordeaux: make, age and sell artisanal wines over 13 turns (years). Bordeaux is a condensed, travel-sized paper-and-pencil version of Fromage and is designed to be playable without a table. Each year you assign workers to Make Wine or Gather Resources and choose an action duration of 1, 2 or 3 years, balancing power against availability.
Who Is This Game For?
For ages 14 and up; players who enjoy economic decision-making and temporal planning will get the most out of it. Complexity leans toward the experienced/enthusiast level (Kennerspiel). Short ~30 minute playtime fits sessions with limited time and suits experienced euro players.
How It Works
Across 13 years you assign workers to actions like Make Wine or Gather Resources and select a duration (1–3 years) for each action. Longer durations yield stronger effects but delay the worker's return. Mechanics include Simultaneous Action Selection, Worker Placement with different worker types, Line Drawing and Network-and-Route-Building, and scoring uses End Game Bonuses. The paper-and-pencil format records choices and outcomes.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Ben Rosset, Bordeaux is notable as a travel-friendly, paper-and-pencil distillation of a larger game (Fromage). Its core twist is temporal planning via choice of action durations combined with simultaneous action selection. The data also notes a Board Game Arena digital implementation and the city's setting (Bordeaux, France).
Pro
- Travel-sized, no table required
- Paper-and-pencil approach with euro-style planning
- Meaningful temporal choices via 1–3 year action durations
- Quick plays (~30 minutes) suitable for short sessions
Contra
- Requires some learning to optimize time-based actions
- Repetitive feel possible over 13 rounds
- Less tactile than component-heavy eurogames due to paper-and-pencil format
Setting & atmosphere
The theme centers on winemaking in Bordeaux, France: production, aging and selling of wines. This is reflected in the Food & Drink: Wine category and the Cities: Bordeaux family tag.
Tips for beginners
Focus on understanding how short vs. long action durations affect worker availability and action strength; practice with a few rounds to feel the timing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
Yes. players.min = 1 indicates a solo option.
How long does a game really take?
The listed duration is about 30 minutes; the compact, paper-and-pencil design suits short play sessions.
What prior experience do I need?
Recommended from age 14; players familiar with economic or timing-focused games will adapt more quickly.
How does this compare to similar games?
Bordeaux is a highly condensed, travel-focused version of Fromage, emphasizing action-duration choices and simultaneous selection over component complexity.
Is this suitable for families?
With a minimum age of 14 and tactical depth, it is better suited to families with older teens or experienced players.
What mechanic makes it special?
The interplay of Simultaneous Action Selection and choosing action durations (1–3 years) defines the game's strategic core.
Fazit
A short, tactical travel game for players who like time-based resource planning. Best suited for experienced players or families with older teens who accept a moderate learning curve.
Bordeaux at your next game night?
Add Bordeaux to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Bordeaux to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
