Tag Archives: Short Break

Bordeaux, France: Château de Carmasac in the Entre-Deux-Mers Countryside

Posted on January 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

Let’s move to Gironde in the Entre-Deux-Mers countryside, near Bordeaux. And visit the Château de Camarsac, called the “Black Prince’s castel” (Edouard of Woostock) from the 14th century. Today the castel and vineyard are the properties of Thierry Lurton. I climb to the top of the dungeon: a very sportive climb because of the width and height of the steps!!!. Stonished view of the vineyard (picture 4) produces differents wines : red wines, rosés wines, clairet (a bled of Cabernet and Merlot grapes, picture 5) and more recently white wines (since 2009). You can choice between different visits : classic, historic et technology (wine processing technology focus).

Informations : www.camarsac.com (website only in French, contact : [email protected]), Entre-Deux-Mers Tourism Office, www.bordeaux.com

Bordeaux and Bordeaux Wine Route

Médoc, France: Château d’Arsac, A Mix of Contemporary Art and Wines

DESTINATIONS

Médoc, France: Château Paloumey, The Blend Workshop

Posted on January 24, 2012 | Leave a comment

I’m in Château Paloumey to attend to the “Atelier Assemblage”, sounds a bit mysterious, doesn’t it? Well it’s a workshop about the art of blending of grape varieties… We are six “sorcerer’s apprentices” (lol) around a long table full of dark bottles and few spitboxes, many glasses and some gratued test tubes and virgin sheets of paper. This peaks my curiosity. I do enjoy the idea “to custom my wine” (humm… well, I exagerate a little bit!). The workshop starts with discovering (again) of the Bordeaux different grapes : the Merlot and Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon grapes. And also Petit Verdot. The grape is “a kind of vine characterized by the shape of it leaves and clusters” (Les Médocaines). Then the most exciting part of the workshop initiates us to the blend of grape varieties. What about my own blend? Well my friends… let’s say we all have secrets (lol)! You can also try other workshops here…

Informations : www.chateaupaloumey.com, about Les Médocaines worshops : www.lesmedocaines.com.

Bordeaux, France: The Bordeaux Wine School

Médoc, France: Château d’Arsac, A Mix of Contemporary Art and Wines

DESTINATIONS

Médoc, France: Château d’Arsac, A Mix of Contemporary Art and Wines

Posted on January 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

After visiting the CAPC in Bordeaux, I am very surprised to discover in one of the older Médoc properties, le Pouce ( The Tthumb, 1965) of César (picture above). Welcome to Château d’Arsac, purchased in 1986 by Philippe Raoux ; this Bordeaux wine merchant is also a contemporary art collector. The story of Château d’Arsac starts in the 12th century, then the property was owned by the brother of the famous French philosopher Montaigne. Today the Arsac estate consists of 112 hectares dont 54 in the Margaux appellation and 50 in the Haut-Médoc appellation. And if you’re interested to see the twenty sculptures of Château d’Arsac, the Bordeaux Tourism Office and the Winery, organize visits to discover the artwoks and the wines. Picture 4 : the blue pigment of the painter Klein on the warehouse’s walls.