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Bordeaux – Médoc wine tour
8 am buffet breakfast Hotel de Normandie dining room
We fuel up from the abundance of excellent choices to prepare ourselves for the full wine day ahead.
42 miles/68 km
9 am Guided panoramic bus tour along the mythic Route des Châteaux wine road through Médoc go
A vast wine growing region surrounds the city of Bordeaux. Since Roman times wines produced here have been known worldwide for their excellence. Today we’re off to see these famous growing grounds and renowned chateaux first hand and up close. Our big comfortable bus leaves conveniently from the Tourist Office just across from our Hotel Normandie. With some 30 others we go to taste wine and explore the Medoc and Haut Medoc wine areas north of the city.
Frédéric Bechir, a dark curly haired young Frenchman with English skills, is our charming guide. He knows the vineyards, wines and growing areas around Bordeaux well. The ride along the left bank of the Gironde River is a pleasant 40 minutes. Winding along 2-lane country roads, we ride through a rather flat landscape of vineyards separated by patches of growing fields, occasional grazing cows, and small villages.
1st stop: Chateau Reverdi which is not your traditional 18th century chateau. The one story stone structure surely began life in another role. Colorful annuals in a formal arrangement surround the entry creating an inviting casual feel. The rustically elegant tasting room is spacious. Wine glasses, cheeses and bread have been set out on two round, cloth covered tables. We taste two vintages (2007, 2010) from their Appelation Listrac-Medoc Controlee, as the winemaker herself introduces the wines and relates her tasting notes. Bordeaux wines are almost invariably blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Chocolate is introduced with the second wine. It is a local product, “Sarments du Medoc”, described as Chocolat Noir Pur Bueurre de Cacao. Definitely a take home item. After a short visit to the barrel room we purchase wines and are off again to our next winery.
2nd stop: Chateau Lanessain, in Appelation Haut-Medoc, is very different – much larger, with a historic home, many 1 and 2 story outbuildings, greenhouses, formal gardens, horses and carriages. Our guide leads us to a high point to view the grandeur of it all before we walk through the vineyards to see the rocky soil these grapes find so appealing. Many mementos, past awards, relics of the trade and history of the Chateau are on display as we walk down into the stone tasting room. It’s a massive room, the lower level of a two-story building. There is a large fireplace with seating on one side, a long wooden bar across the room and behind glass doors at the end, the aging room. Several wines are offered. Our favorite is the 1985 Delbos Bouteiller.
Returning to Bordeaux we drive through a beautiful country landscape populated by marvelous castles/chateaux, including the legendary: Château Margaux, Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Lafite Rothschild. Chateau Pichon-Longueville, reflected in its pool, is a popular picture taking spot.
3 pm walking tour Bordeaux go
A walk to the waterfront and back to stretch our legs feels so good after riding for more than an hour in the bus. There are narrow quiet streets to navigate, architecture to study and lovely water views to take in.
5 pm return to hotel
Time to check e-mail and make a few calls before heading to the Hotel de Seze to meet a friend arriving today. We find him in the hotel lobby as he’s departing for his dinner. After a bit of a visit we consider joining him but in the end decide to eat simply tonight – perhaps a burger in the student quarter where quick inexpensive food is abundant.
7 pm we try Quick go Bordeaux fast food
It’s a clear evening, our last night in town, lots of people are out walking or sitting at cafes. A leisurely stroll in the twilight brings us to “Quick”, a fast-food chain whose menu combines McDonald’s and Burger King. It’s busy but the wait is short – very efficient production line – living up to it’s name. The burger is passable but not great, fries aussi.
stay Hotel de Normandie go
Such a pleasure to come back each evening to our conveniently located hotel. The room has been freshened – says, Welcome Back! There’s a small round glass table with two chairs, our mini-café, set up for us to enjoy a nightcap before hitting the sack.
Photos
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