Rest Day Guest Post

I wouldn't be surprised, and actually expect, that it would be normal for you all to get tired of my irksome ramblings about of our trip. So, I pulled some teeth and twisted some recently-repaired arms and convinced Lorie Loire to do a guest post. Here it is.

I always suspected I was named for something and I have now found it. The Loire. A beautiful river, fields of agriculture, vineyards and of course lovely wine. There is no bad wine on the Loire. The characteristics vary as you move away from the sea. We have explored the Anjou, Saumur and Touraine, a semi-maritime climate – per the experts “the rosés and red wines tend to exhibit aromas of red fruits and flowers, while the whites exhibit honeyed floral notes with hints of tropical fruits.”  I love Cabernet Franc and visiting the Chinon area was a dream come true. Check out this 5 generation wine:

 This wine was made by a winemaker who is the 5th generation to make wines from grapes from the same vines, planted in 1900. The history is amazing and you can taste it in the wine.

I was especially surprised by the fresh taste of the cremant rose and the cremant vouray! And we get to experience this 200 years of wine making history surrounded by castles, fortresses, chateuax and royal abbeys. Tonight we are staying in a tiny apartment that was built in the mid 14th century. The walls are crooked and the floor tips here and there. There are modern amenities, but the age of the place shines through in things like the ancient beams over our heads and the tiles under our feet, cracked and scarred by many centuries of use.

 

We’ll see.  Tomorrow we head towards the Sancerre and Pouilly Fume area.

 

Here's a fun video from Blois, at the Robert Houdin museum. His name is of course similar to Houdini. No coincidence, as Houdini borrowed his name and according to many, borrowed the best of his magic tricks. A charge that Houdini always refuted, but who knows.

 

 

 And cycling on the back of the tandem taking pictures is a good time.

 

It looks like I am tasting wine, but I'm actually taking a picture!