Saint Emilion

Even on a gray, rainy day there are few places in the world more beautiful than the UNESCO site of Saint Emilion. The architecture, the hillside position, the way the vines grow right up to the town walls. Then there are the seductive restaurants and wine shops with colorful displays to beckon you in.

We started our day with an appointment at Chateau Fonplegade, a producer of Saint Emilion grand cru classe'. Our tour and tasting in the tastefully designed wing were conducted by Sarah, a charming native of Houston, TX.

The chateau is currently being renovated by its American owners, who also produce wine in Napa Valley--not a bad life! Here are a few pix of Ch.Fonplegade:

We tried three reds and a rose' and I would have to say that we were completely blown away by the sumptuousness and velvety smoothness of the reds. All three are on their way to our house so we can relive the experience a dozen times.

Lunch was at Delices du Roy, a bistro that also produces their own red wines, which Joe tried and enjoyed, though they were not up to the Fonplegade reds that still lingered on our palates. We both ordered the "hamburger maison," which was outrageously decadent: a french roll topped with sliced seared duck breast, seared foie gras and then finished with a green peppercorn sauce. It was sublime! We told the owner it was the best "hamburger" we'd ever eaten and he just beamed because, being Americans, we must know a thing or two about burgers.