Stainless steel tanks at Domaine J. Laurens. That’s a lot of Blanquette!
The fabled Lady Carcas at the gates of Carcassonne.
To the ramparts!
With this, I discovered that I’m a sucker for hand-painted bottle label door signs.
Old farming implements at Domaine Jerome Gradassi.
Detail of Roman-era structure adjacent to Domaine de Chateaumar.
Apropos.
Main intersection in Chateauneuf du Pape.
Like a centuries-old San Francisco without the water.
Tunnels like this are scattered throughout the town of Chateauneuf du Pape.
They also take their bell towers pretty seriously in CdP.
Beautiful old mail box.
Sundial map at ruins of Chateauneuf du Pape.
Apparently, there are some wineries in this little town.
You make a soft turn on this Roussillon street and are smacked in the gob with this gorgeous view of the dramatic cliff-side.
Cafe le Lezard in Opoul. Very cool little spot with a brilliant beer list and wonderful food. Plus, a bartender with a predilection for eclectic rock music.
Charcuterie. Perfect pairing with Bourgogne Blanc at Domaine des Gerbeaux.
Domaine des Gerbeaux’s Solutré Chardonnay vines from the door to the winery.
Apparently, Pouilly-Fuissé goes great with ham (with Steve White of Click Wholesale Distributing, WA).
Brilliant four seafood entrée in a light cream sauce (immediately following the biggest hunks of foie gras I’ve ever seen, and just before the salad, killer cheese plate, and elegant dessert) at a roadside diner-looking family seafood restaurant in the Pierres Dorées in Beaujolais.
About to have a generously prepared home-cooked meal in the dining room of the Maillet family of Domaine de la Berthete.
Arc de Triomphe d’Orange from underneath the main arc
Arc de Triomphe d’Orange: an awesome bit of history.
Here are some extra visual goodies from my France trip:
Champagne Philippe Fontaine
A commitment to excellence expressed by pumps in the snow.
Nice place, but to heat the thing would be a bear.
Pruning on those slopes must be a difficult task.
A fairly small operation.
A cute display at the “HQ”.
Domaine Debray
Unassuming entry to another world.
Students of the game in the cave.
We’re we really there that long?!?
In the town of Beaune
The hotel and restaurant was open just for us. A lovely meal and a good night’s sleep.
Camaraderie building early.
Pre-food coma at Restaurant L’Horloge.
Terrine of awesome.
“When in Beaune, do as the Beauners do.” — Steve White
The Epoisse that nearly killed us all as it was almost too good to bear.
Disco Bus hits a snow-down.
drinktuition 