I wrote about my fun experience on board the Tango luxury barge in Bordeaux last week and mentioned I would write more about the excursions I took during my stay on the boat.
After the satisfying lunch on the outdoor terrace of the boat on the first day, we took a car trip to Saint-Emilion. We drove approximately 30 minutes before we started to see acres of verdant green hills saturated with grapevines and vineyards. Passing scores of wine chateaus with important looking entrance gates, we came upon Chateau Coutet. We were greeted by Adrian Coutet, who is a fifth generation descendant of the winemaking family that dates back to 1855. The charming and good-looking heir apparent gave us an extensive tour of the vineyard and wine making facilities and explained that they only grew organic grapes from the beginning, never using the modern day practice of using pesticides. The main chateau actually dated back from the 1700s and it still had a small, private chapel in tact. A cellar filled with dusty wine bottles had vintages as far back as the 1950s and Adrian shared about the best and not so great years. At the end of the visit we went to the tasting rooms and sipped on a variety of the wines. Prices are reasonable, starting at 20€ per bottle and cases and individual bottles are sold at the vineyard. The most unique bottle was actually a 100ml test tube, which can be brought on your carry on luggage.
After the visit to Chateau Coutet, we drove to the village of Saint-Emilion. The stunning, late day sunlight cast a golden hue and dramatic shadows on the ancient limestone buildings. I climbed the hills of Saint-Emilion discovering charming squares, building façades draped in vines and flowers, open plazas with cafes, medieval churches, and appealing wine bars and restaurants I wanted to return to.
The next day we took a trip to the factory where the French aperitif Lillet is produced. Looking more like a straightforward factory with a smattering of industrial, brick buildings rather than the romantic style of the chateau vineyards the day before, nonetheless the visit was fascinating. The impressive tour was led by two, lovely girls in their early 20s, who seemed to have years of experience and historical knowledge for their young age. We learned about how the two Lillet brothers started a wine and spirits company in the 1872. In 1887 they created Kina Lillet, made with quinine, the juice from macerated orange peels, and white wine. In the 20th century, new varieties were invented including Lillet Dry,Lillet Rouge (made with red wine), and Lillet Rosé, introduced in 2011 for the burgeoning rosé wine demand. A display of innovative, illustrated posters from 1896 to 2014 was a fun history lesson about how Lillet had evolved. At the end of the tour we were invited to taste the various flavors, and I shared a funny story about the time when I ordered Lillet at a café, and the waiter served me a glass of milk, because he thought I said le lait, which I probably did.
Chateau Coutet
https://www.chateaucoutet.com/en/#header
Lillet
https://www.lillet.com/intl-en/
Links Eye Like
Check out this story form the NY Times about a newly discovered Monet water lily painting
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/03/arts/monet-wisteria-water-lilies.html?fbclid=IwAR0M8r7F6Erhh7JIFsWriXVEHfx2JQMUHdwFwxNrZx8Fr8LqEgqreW0QcTM
August in Paris- My Marais Apartment for Rent August 16 to August 29
I am renting my Marais loft from August 16 to August 29 (Dates are flexible). Contrary to popular myth that Paris is closed in August, most shops, restaurants, and attractions are open in Paris, especially in the Marais. The weather is usually beautiful, temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit during the day, dropping into the mid 60s at night. In case in gets warmer, I have an air conditioner in the bedroom and a large fan in the living area.
Minimum rental period is 7 days/one week, price 1500€ for 7 days/one week, 2900€ for 14 days/2 weeks.
Conveniently located by the Saint Paul metro, in the heart of the Marais, the apartment is a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loft with 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include washer/dryer, 16" flat screen TV, dishwasher, internet connection/Wifi and free long distance calls to the U.S. The apartment is located on the second floor with a large elevator
Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested.
If you love salted butter caramels, please watch my newest A Bite of Paris video about Henri Le Roux, the man who actually invented the salted butter caramel.
Click here to watch or link below
https://youtu.be/Am22oSA_UYc
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