There are wines and then, there are French Wines...

Some of you reading my blog during the past two weeks might think that I have become an agent for French wines with the abundantly positive comments I have been making about them. Well, not really. It's that one must recognize quality and be willing to admit it. And it's not just the French wines. It's the French mind set about growing, making, and preserving wine that sets the standard. Every country--including mine--brags about its wine. The French do too, but they have a good reason to do so.

I had the opportunity to visit the Maison Bredif--the Wine Cellar of Marc Bredif in Rochecordon in the Loire Valley of France. By the way, one needs to redefine the term wine cellar when referring to Marc Bredif. It consists of 1.2 mile-long and centuries-old abandoned lime stone galleries that at one time provided the building stones for many of the cathedrals and chateaux of France. Entering the wine cellar was a spiritual experience for me. The barrels and bottles--dusty and cobweb covered--in the glow of candles inside the man-made caves gave the feeling of a medieval Byzantine monastery.

We were escorted by Matthieu--a delightful, knowledgeable and friendly young man--who made our wine touring experience most enjoyable. One of the bonus benefits, by the way, of visiting wineries and wine cellars around the world, is often meeting the wonderful people behind the wines. Matthieu was one of those people. We left Vouvray and the Loire with the best of memories--hope to visit again this wonderful part of France...

It's Good to be a King...

Well, not just any king! In France, for example, there was Louis XIV and then there was Louis XVI, and these two kings had very different fates. One reigned for 72 years when France was the most powerful--military and economic--nation in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and built Versailles. The other is known more about the details of his execution and his failed marriage to a certain Austrian princess.

Back to the main story...visiting Versailles makes one dream about being a king, even for a few hours. Louis XIV set the standard of culture for all of Europe, and Versailles, with its Hall of Mirrors, gardens and spectacular fountains, was the crown jewel of that achievement. Although the Chateau was packed with visitors on this gorgeous spring day, for me it was empty. I could see the King walking down the steps toward the grand canal followed by a few of his nobles. Slightly behind to his right there were two foreign guests who were nearly invisible next to the tall, athletic and elegantly dressed Sun King. He was proudly pointing to his guests the rows of orange trees that had been wheeled from the greenhouses just for the purpose of impressing his guests. The air was filled with the aroma of orange blossoms. The melody of music could be heard from groups of musicians playing at each fountain.

Suddenly, this vision was interrupted by a thought that has been nagging me since I arrived at the Chateau. France was--and still is--known for its wines and the kings were known to indulge in fine wines. So, I was trying to visualize the king's Wine Cellar. It had to be something else...

French Wine Review...

2006 Cotes du Rhone, E. Guigal-Chateau D' Ampuis

Rated 92 points by The Wine Cellar

I tasted a couple red wines before I came across this 2006 Cotes du Rhone. Although its cork was a bit dry--not preserved properly--it was an excellent pick. Brilliant in color, full bodied, well balanced with subtle cedar flavor. It had a velvety character that was very smooth and interesting at the same time. It was an excellent companion to various cheeses and a wheat/nutty bread. Will have to try it with meat and rich food, although my expectation is that it may may not be the best pairing.

I have to confess that I have been partial to Argentinean and Spanish wines with limited experience with French wines. This and a few other french wines I have tasted in my recent travel to France appear destined to change all this...

The French Connection...

There is a long list of reasons for visiting Paris--the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, the Versailles, Notre Dame--but for me it is distilled down to two things: French wine and French bread...Well, I have to be honest--I do love architecture and art too. A couple of days ago we traveled to Fontainebleaux--SE of Paris--and were fortunate to catch the open market. What an amazing display of fresh produce, meat, fish, cheese, bread, and other goodies. It was like being eight years old and walking into a candy store--for me a cookie store...

The aromas of the bread and vegetables were fantastic. And although cheese doesn't rank as high as bread and wine in my epicurean scale, one can't overlook the cheeses in France. With more than 400 types of them, France is unquestionably the place to be if you are a cheese lover.

It's mid April and Spring is evident everywhere. Tulips are spectacular and the air is saturated with the delicate smell of flowers and the fresh smell of emerging grass and budding trees. Renoir must have been inspired by these sights in many of his well-known paintings. Oh, yes, Paris is where people fall in love again and again...

Wines of Crete...

Crete has the most traditional vineyard of Europe. Grape cultivation has taken place in Crete since the Minoan era, 4,000 years ago . The vineyards of Crete produce white, rose and red wines as well as raisins from the variety "Soultanina" and the table grape "Rozaki". Visit the Wines of Crete for an incredible journey to the heartland of the oldest Greek civilization, but be prepared for going back again and again. Breathtaking landscapes, rugged terrains, and the fiercely independent, proud and most hospitable Cretans will make it an unforgettable experience.