The final party for our group is the Chateau Roquetaillade,situated just to the southeast of bordeaux in the vin Blanc district. it is a partially restored castle keep in the magnificient style of all these magnificient chateauxs. The difference here is that we are the only guests because of the school. we are taken on a walk that includes keeps , dining rooms bedrooms and alll the garrison quarters. it is to be opened to the public soon so is pretty original and new in its feel. quite a treat. The truly magnificient piece in the place is the unique ivory piano with gold keys! not a bad little piece and worth a place in any persons antiqure portfolio. the moat and the hidden drawbridge operated from the dining room compliment the secret stairs and the various other little touches that will create intrigue in the daily life of the 14 C Marquis and family.Teh kitchen is elaborate with operating fires for roasting the odd pig or elephant. the modern stove compliments the rest of the decore and is capable of a small sit down dinner for 400.
Being a crew of wine drinkers and young, the next stop creates a titter of anticipation- the Chateaux D'Yquem. this is a significant wine area especially in the white sugary sauternes. The town is 2 km up the raod so the region is very famous for these styles. The President, Pierre Lurton no less, meets us and we start a great walk around one of the best kept wineries we've seen. the history seeps and the views across to St Emilion taking in the Garonne valleyand Ciron river, make us all stop for that kodak moment. The day is perfect with the fog lifting and burning off just as we stand on the hill next to the mid 15 C cellars that house some of the world best and most expensive wines. Teh director is a personal friend of the hostess from the school, Marie, and they share a couple of jokes as we taste the new vintage in a setting that will have been used by kings presidents and the rich and famous for centuries. this life i can get used to! The secret is in the Terrior- the climate and the Botytis( a horrible looking but essential fungus) that changes the sugar in the berries. didnt catch the nest discussion- far to complex for afellow just enjoying the flavour of the sky and 'scape. The micro climate is the thing and there is much talk of global warming and the changes to the weather here. makes one realise that the conversations in Australia are not an isolated feeling. The group that i have had in class organise to go to Brasserie d'Ecole du Vin. It is the little wine bar using the left over plonk from the wine school and i celebrate a fine time with a st Emilion Grand Cru 1956- my mate the fruiterer would understand. The trip to Les Quarte des Routes is next on my mind and the early rise to catch the train, my gift bottle of tuscan wine ( dave bucks suggestion from a previous trip) the final morroccan tea and the farwells to Madame are all that is left. Au revior Bordeaux.
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