Thursday, June 30, 2005

Bordeaux

Bordeaux, the land of wonderful wines. While I was staying at the winery, I could swear I smelled wine in the air and it was wonderful. There are four red wine regions in Bordeaux:

Medoc: Medoc, Haut Medoc, Margaux, Sainte Estephe, Pauillac, Saint Julien, Listrac, and Moulis.
Graves: Graves, Pessac Leognan, Sauternes, Barsac, Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux
Cotes Wine: Cotes de Bourg, Cotes de Blaye, Cotes de Castillon, and Cotes de Francs
Libourne: Sainte Emilion, Pomerol, and Fronsac,

As I mentioned yesterday, I stayed in the Medoc region in Margaux. With the two kids, I didn't do any wine tasting. However, one day I did take a short ride to take some pictures on the scenic route that is appropriately named Route des Chateaux, the wine chateaux route.

Here are some of the chateaux that we passed. They are just beautiful.

Chateau Kirwan
Chateau Palmer











Chateau Branaire Ducru
Chateau Pichon Longueville













Last week Medoc celebrated the 150th anniversary of their wine classification. This classification, created in 1855, was developed by the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce at the request of Napoleon III. A first cru, the best classification, ensures a high price for the wine. For instance, a Chateau Lafite Rothschild ranges in price on the internet from a $145/1996 bottle to a $585/2000 bottle. Nothing like being ranked first!

When I moved to France, my French brother-in-law advised us to buy Bordeaux. Although we've branched out a bit (we especially like Brouilly), when it doubt, we do buy Bordeaux and we've never been disappointed.

-- said Auntie M in Paris
11:22 PM

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