Wine Travel Stories

Next stop was Chateau Talbot, about 10 minutes drive south of Pauillac in St. Julien, and hidden behind a lush curtain of green ivy covering its ancient walls. We were met by Jean-Pierre Marty, and appreciated his practical approach to winemaking and international experience – having worked all over the world making wine, including Australia and China. Starting in the vineyard, he explained that St. Julien has a different quality of gravel and sandy clay than Pauillac and with less limestone. Like many estates they use no weed killer or insecticides, but will use non-organic sprays when necessary to combat [...]

After departing Margaux we drove north along the D2, passing many famous chateaux until we came to Pauillac. We had the prix fixe menu at the charming Pauillac Café along the river, and then made our way to Chateau Pontet-Canet, where we met with the very charming Jean-Michel Comme, viticulture and winemaking director. With his perfect French-accented English, he regaled us with the progress of biodynamics in the vineyard, and we watched fascinated while a large draft horse pulled a plow through rows to aerate the soil. The story at Pontet-Canet is all about their transition to biodynamics that was [...]

We awoke to a sunny blue sky, and I spent an hour relaxing in our private living room reading over my research notes on the wineries we were to visit that day. Conveniently hot water and tea were available before breakfast. The evening before, Annie had asked us what time we wanted to eat, and we had agreed on 8:30am. Therefore, at the appointed time, we entered the all white dining room to a crackling fire in the white fireplace. The large dining room table, which comfortably seated six, was covered with an antique white lace tablecloth and a very [...]

We departed St. Emilion around 4:15pm and drove to our next hotel located in Listrac-Medoc. This time Google Map provided perfect directions and we arrived in exactly the 1 hour 5 minute time suggested. Perhaps I had mentioned to Caroline that today was our 24th wedding anniversary, and that is why she booked us into such a romantic French country manor house – because that is the only way you can describe Chateau Beausejour. With its lovely white limestone façade; built in the 1800’s, you are met at the door by owner Annie accompanied by her white Dalmatian dog. The [...]

We were welcomed by Audrey, the PR director and discovered that we were part of a scheduled tour with two other couples. However I asked so many questions about clones, types of yeast, and fermentation temperatures that she fetched the enologist and the viticulturist to meet with us as well. Chateau Figeauc is unique in that it is one of the oldest chateau in St. Emilion, tracing its roots back to the 2nd century AD when a Roman gentleman named Figeacus lived there. It is also unique in that it uses more cabernet sauvignon in the blend than is normal [...]

Caroline had made lunch reservations for us at the charming L’enver du Decor restaurant in St. Emilion. Lori accompanied us and helped us select our lunch and wine. We all ended up ordering the Prixe Fixe lunch menu – which I think is always a good deal in France with fresh seasonal dishes. It started with a creamy white asparagus soup, and we each selected a different glass of wine to accompany this and then compared. Mike, my husband, had the local rose; I ordered a white Graves; and Lori had a white Pessac-Leognan. Next course was steak, potatoes and [...]

We awoke to slightly cloudy skies, but by late morning they faded away and we were treated to another sunny blue sky with a high of around 68 F. After a pleasant breakfast with Bernard, we packed our luggage and said good-bye, but not before buying 2 bottles of his wine – 2003 to drink now and 2005 to save – as well as 2 of the boxed bottles of merlot salt he was selling. We then headed towards our destination in Pomerol, passing Ausone and Cheval Blanc along the way – both estates I was privileged to visit last [...]

We slept well and enjoyed listening to the crickets and frogs outside of our window. Breakfast is included in the rate of $98 Euros per night to stay at Chateau Monlot, so we headed downsides to the charming dining room where we feasted on good coffee and too many fresh and heavenly croissants of every type. Bernard, the owner, joined us and invited us to join his family for lunch at 1pm, as well as a tour of the wine cellars. What a friendly place! We gladly accepted. Next we wandered around the sunny grounds of the chateau taking pictures, [...]

My husband and I arrived in Bordeaux on May 2 at 4:40 in the afternoon to a sunny warm 70F degree day. After leaving rainy San Francisco yesterday (May 1) and the long flight to Amsterdam, it was a pleasure to finally arrive at our destination. However, as we exited the plane we were informed that all Americans, Canadians, and Mexicans had to report to security and fill out forms on the swine flu. Despite that small set-back we found our diesel car at Hertz and managed to drive to our hotel, the Chateau Monlot, in less than the hour [...]