Saturday 4th October
Another lovely sunrise. Drove through the salt marshes at mouth of Gironde River (port of Le Verdon-sur-mer) following The Route des Chateaux into the dusty Medoc peninsula and home to many famous Bordeaux wineries. There is a strict grading system for the chateaux and only 60 in the area are rated in the Grand Cru Class. We visited Chateau Kirwan, established in 1715 and named after an Irishman! The current family have been in residence since 1925. All grapes here are harvested by hand and go through a fancy optical sorter which ensures they are just the right colour and then they are hand checked after that. The processing and lacto fermentation is quite quick, it is the maturing that makes the wine – up to 20 years.
Wine making is subject to very very strict rules, quality not quantity – no matter how heavy the crop, bunches are culled and grapes only grow at the bottom of the vines. The soil is typically clay and has many white pebbles in the soil which hold the heat. No irrigation is allowed by law and the roots can go down as deep as 15 m to reach water. The harsher the year the better the grapes they say. All wines in Bordeaux are blends with the two banks of the river producing different wines given different soils and a host of other factors. Fascinating and very complicated! A new oak barrel costs 600 Euros and various percentages of new barrels are used each year for different varietals, elegance, balance and impact.
The beautiful chateaux in the region all have different architectural styles – fabulous looking with beautiful out buildings and cellar areas. The buildings dominate the landscape as they rise up out of miles of vineyards.
Lunch in Bordeaux City at the 5 star Grand Bordeaux Hotel – lovely! Bordeaux is a beautiful city lying adjacent to the Gironde River. Much of the riverside has now been opened up as public spaces – good example for Hamilton planners!! Our ship sailed 51 nautical miles up the river to meet us and we are docked here at Bordeaux overnight.
The buildings in the city are all by law of the same style and height and look very attractive. Even a replica-look Palace of Versailles opening to the river.
Comments
Comment by David Newman on 2014-10-08 19:19:42 -0700
Contact for Jess Newman [email redacted]
What a great trip you are having!
Love Jo x
