Tag Archives: Short Break

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.

Infos: www.chateau-arsac.com, www.bordeaux-tourisme.com & www.bordeaux.com

Bordeaux, France: The Bordeaux Wine School

Bordeaux, France: The CAPC, Contemporary Art Museum of Bordeaux

DESTINATIONS

Bordeaux, France: The Bordeaux Wine School

Posted on January 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

If you do know where to see this mural painting in Bordeaux (picture above)

– and who is the famous painter (really easy) – wow congrats! You have all my admiration! If not (oops), wait till my next post about this trip. Well, I’m in Bordeaux for a short break (2-3 days) and I want to discover the city, a bit of the countryside and some wines (how could it be possible Ms Diet Coke? Nobody’s perfect!). My trip start in the beautiful historical center of Bordeaux and its freshly renovated monuments!

First stop: my oeunology course @ The Bordeaux Wine School (Ecole du Vin de Bordeaux), founded in 1989. You can choice between different workshops, depending on your level and availability. If like me you don’t know anything and worst Merlot and Cabernet remind you some fantastic Caudalie‘s exfoliating scrubs, start with the two hours initiation workshop : “to make the difference between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, to identify Bordeaux wines and express your own tastes and sensations“. What an experience! I’ve taste and spit (not to get drunk!) and talked and discribe flavours and smells and locate famous wines.

You’ll enter in a really exciting world ! And I recommend you Nathalie Escudero, she is an amazing teacher and guide who mkes her own wine ! At the ground floor of The Bordeaux Wine School, the wine bar is impressive and very lively in the evening (picture below). The atmosphere is really friendly, cosmopolitan and a bit trendy. But right now, I need a sweet snack and want to taste a canelé, the famous Bordelais speciality with rhum, not wine (picture 3) ! Then to follow me to the wharves area (pictures 4 & 5): click HERE!