What a fantastic place. The most amazing wine regions spread around a flat, but rich, countryside dotted with Chateaux and small towns each with their own dramatic church spires standing head and shoulders above the old town buildings.
We did the Medoc yesterday; today we headed for Saint–Emilion passing through Fronsac and Pomerol on the way. ‘Helene’ was fantastic as she guided us through a maze of winding country lanes walled by ancient dry stonewalls hardly wide enough for a horse and cart!
Saint-Emilion is an elevated medieval village that commands views across the regions famous vineyards, such as Petrus. We stopped for a coffee and a walk around the narrow, cobbled streets. To our surprise Saint-Emilion is also famous for its Macarons – we were tempted but resisted!
District views from the tower
Towers, new and old!
Mmmmmm Macarons!
Fancy an '82 Petrus at 4,700 euros???
Moving on we reached Cadillac for lunch. Again, old and interesting. A very large Chateau there and we got the feeling that it was heading in the same direction as its car namesake – a little old fashioned and tired.
Chateau Cadillac - and not one in sight!
Decisions, decisions - I'll have the ...
We had passed briefly through Sauterne and Barsac on the way to Bordeaux. So to complete our regional route we programmed ‘Helene’ for a return visit. Again she directed us through the twisting country lanes to village after interesting village. We were keen to find the home of Chateau d’Yquem, supposedly the world’s most famous Sauterne. Sauterne, being made largely from Semillon grapes, this was interesting for us.
Dime a dozen in these parts!
Back to our humble abode for dinner and the footy final, bed and an early start tomorrow for a rather long drive to Honfleur and hopefully a view of ‘Le Tour’!
Why did you resist the macarons?! I hope we spy you on TV :)
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