It's been a long day and since my mom is the only person who actually reads my blog, I'm going to keep it brief.
Domaine de la Poultiere (Vernou-Sur-Loire): I can't believe I'm wine tasting at 8:45am. Greeted by a sweet dog. Nice wines. Bought a lovely white for dinner.
Then I picked up my friends after having to do an entire lap around the town in a large rental station wagon (it was between that and a Smart Car and there are 3 of us).
Domaine des Geleries (Bourgueil): Remembered enough of my French 101 fruit vocabulary to discuss the wine with the winemaker. He was impressed enough to give us a barrel tasting. Success! Nice reds - preferred Bourgueil Cabernet Franc to Chinon Cabernet Franc. Mellower and richer.
Don't remember 3rd winery (Bourgueil): Was not great.
Domaine Du Cedre (Bourgueil): Yummy pink sparkler. No room in suitcase. Bummer.
Couly-Dutheil (Chinon): Typically over commercialized winery though the people there were really nice.
We then visited the Chateau in Usse which inspired the writer of "Sleeping Beauty." It is gorgeous from the outside, but it is decorated with a plethora of mannequins and wax figures illustrating French life as well as the story of Sleeping Beauty. AND, the mannequins are dressed in costumes reflective of the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th centuries with a little 1970s thrown in for good measure. Super freaky and totally confusing. The above picture is from the "Tasting in the Wine Caves." I decided to join the mannequins.
Chateau Gaudrelle (Rochecorbon): Great stuff. Nice white with a little oak on it. Lovely dessert wine. Alas, no room in the suitcase. Plus, the winemaker was shooting down everything I wanted to pair the wine with. I may have a lot to learn, but he didn't have to be so snotty. Oh well. There are other, nicer producers for me to buy from!
Then we went back to Amboise, found the only boulangerie in the region that is open past 5pm and had a feast of bread, cheese, macarons and salami for dinner. Still full.
Tomorrow I head to Paris where I may actually venture into wines that are not from The Loire.
Until the next sniff, sip, quaff, cheese binge and/or mannequin tour,
Cheers,
Alli M.
Domaine de la Poultiere (Vernou-Sur-Loire): I can't believe I'm wine tasting at 8:45am. Greeted by a sweet dog. Nice wines. Bought a lovely white for dinner.
Then I picked up my friends after having to do an entire lap around the town in a large rental station wagon (it was between that and a Smart Car and there are 3 of us).
Domaine des Geleries (Bourgueil): Remembered enough of my French 101 fruit vocabulary to discuss the wine with the winemaker. He was impressed enough to give us a barrel tasting. Success! Nice reds - preferred Bourgueil Cabernet Franc to Chinon Cabernet Franc. Mellower and richer.
Don't remember 3rd winery (Bourgueil): Was not great.
Domaine Du Cedre (Bourgueil): Yummy pink sparkler. No room in suitcase. Bummer.
Couly-Dutheil (Chinon): Typically over commercialized winery though the people there were really nice.
We then visited the Chateau in Usse which inspired the writer of "Sleeping Beauty." It is gorgeous from the outside, but it is decorated with a plethora of mannequins and wax figures illustrating French life as well as the story of Sleeping Beauty. AND, the mannequins are dressed in costumes reflective of the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th centuries with a little 1970s thrown in for good measure. Super freaky and totally confusing. The above picture is from the "Tasting in the Wine Caves." I decided to join the mannequins.
Chateau Gaudrelle (Rochecorbon): Great stuff. Nice white with a little oak on it. Lovely dessert wine. Alas, no room in the suitcase. Plus, the winemaker was shooting down everything I wanted to pair the wine with. I may have a lot to learn, but he didn't have to be so snotty. Oh well. There are other, nicer producers for me to buy from!
Then we went back to Amboise, found the only boulangerie in the region that is open past 5pm and had a feast of bread, cheese, macarons and salami for dinner. Still full.
Tomorrow I head to Paris where I may actually venture into wines that are not from The Loire.
Until the next sniff, sip, quaff, cheese binge and/or mannequin tour,
Cheers,
Alli M.