5/6/2012

Bordeaux. It's all about tastes and flavours. 1. Caramel Beure Sale best on crepes (also with cinnamon apple and chantilly cream) and in ice cream.

 2. Mimolette, an orange coloured cheese; croissants; baguettes; raclette; chocolatines; chocolat (actual or hot to drink). Where ever we go there is more to try.

We did the rounds again today, looked at some of the ports, walked across the Garonne, ate at Noonies, which was a lovely little cafe in the avenue Tiers up from the bridge St Pierre.

It was all so very lovely. Found the Place de Quinconces which is in a really nice area, admired many nice fountains, buildings and churches. Checked in at the Information again and booked ourselves in for a winery tour of the Medoc tomorrow morning. which will be awesome, one has a 13th century cellar. Currently resting and will anticipate an early night.

Wednesday 6/6/2012

What an awesome morning. We rocked up nice and early for our tour at the Tourist Information Office, which was full of people in happy anticipation. We noted that there was no little bus waiting as yet. it did turn up eventually, late due to traffic conditions. Boris was our man, and we were in a group of 8. 2 from Brasil; 2 from British Columbia, Canada; one from USA and 3 of us from Australia. It was a nice group of different ages and we were soon on our way to the first winery which was Chateau du Taillan.

A very old cellar, still in use today. The girl Emeline took us around the workings of how wines are created there, then for some yummy tastings. Bordeaux is mainly a red wine only area, but the 2 wineries we went to today all had some while Sauvignon as well. And they were beautiful, it was the best Sauvignon Blanc I've had, the chateau Red, maninly Merlot grapes was awesome as well.

Next Boris came to collect us for Chateau Paloumey, which had a cheese and wine pairing session. A quick look at their many barrels (each holding about 300 bottles worth), then down to the main event.

Set up on the first floor with magnificent views of the vineyard, Beatrice gave us a very lifely introdution to what we were about to taste, 4 different cheeses with 4 of the chateau wines. Each with their particular area appelations and hence characteristics and tastes. It was tremendous fun and we had fun eating all the cheese with the wines, a boutique bread was there for accompaniement. We were full by the end, but we know why we love the french wines and cheeses, there is no comparison.

Back home it was to climb the Pey-Berland Tower of Sainte Andre's 231 steps, which gave a fantastic view of the city.

A bit more of a walk about and out for dinner in the Place St Pierre, which was full of tables and chairs for dinner, great little spot.

Just around the corner of our favorite Crepe shop.

I was totally stunned when we had another look at the river to notice logs and debris floating up the river at a very rapid rate, but in totally the opposite direction to yesterday! The river is totally tidal and has very fast running currents depending on the time of day, as to which way. A quick walk through Place de Quinconnes and we were back to our apartment before sunset.