I'm 2 days into the big slog...actually a day and a half. Currently, the tasty sip count stands at 95. Yeah, it looks like we'll be averaging about 50-60 wines a day. For those of you who are wondering, all of France, including the Loire, which we just left and Beaune where we just arrived, is covered in snow. I narrowly missed a dip in the Loire after the van we were riding in slid through the backyard of Pouilly Fume producer Regis Minet, right on the banks of the river. (Good work with the brakes Regis, you can drive my van anytime.)
On the food front, for those that care, here are the high points so far...skate and artichoke terrine in Tours, more interesting than tasty, wonderful goat cheese (beware super aged goat, made all the Sauvignon's taste tinny), big hunks of cured pork (almost bacon) with tooth picks, and today, a catered lunch from a 1 star in Vezelay called L'esperance. The organ meat wrapped in puff pastry with a brown sauce was incredible (James and Elaine I know you are bummed Dad didn't make you take a bite of that). For the adventurous amongst my intrepid fellows we downed a few tasty giant Normandy oysters with a salty aspic holding some fresh watercress and creme fraiche in place. I hate to brag but I did eat those creatures with '93 Raveneau Les Clos Chablis and '97 Laventureaux Chablis to wash it all down. The '97 for me was perfection.
So far the wine highlights are as follows:
'05 Raveneau "Butteaux" Chablis Premier Cru
- toffee and fresh apples were what struck me
'01 Joguet "Chene Vert" Chinon
-exotic nose with citrus and jasmine hints over soft ripe fruit
'07 Joguet "Clos de la Dioterie" Chinon
- spicy and exotic, but still a baby, my hope would be that it goes in the same direction as '01 above.
Champalou NV Sec - Gourgeous Chenin sparkling that really hit the spot after all the Cab Franc
I've got quite a few more, but need to hit the road to Bouzeron with Aubert de Villaine ( yes, the same one of DRC fame). Stay tuned. I wish all my buds and family were here. One of the days!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment