Kind of a low pressure day today. We signed up for a two hour wine tasting in Bordeaux itself. This was different than our experience yesterday in a couple of ways. First, there were just 3 couples and an instructor sitting at a table. Next, we learned more about the various appellations in Bordeaux including the varieties of grapes. We also discussed the four main wine regions of France, the grapes they use and differences in their wines. We covered again the method of tasting a wine, but did not get into identifying scents or wine 'notes'. The next part was very interesting. The wines of Bordeaux are blended from two major grape varieties - Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The various appellations or sub-areas of the Bordeaux region blend their wines in different ways. So our first task was to experience the differences in a Merlot wine compared to a Cabernet Sauvignon wind. Then we created two differently blended wines. Now four wines could be compared. We all felt that the blended wines tasted better than either of the non-blended wines. The next step of the class was a blind tasting of four wines representing the four major wine regions of France. Our task was to figure out which wine came from which region. This was quite difficult but fun.
After the tasting we went shopping and then had a late afternoon lunch/dinner.
I took some photos of the downtown while we were walking about.
The two images above are from a substantial monument to the Revolution.
The image above was taken beside the river looking across a reflecting pool to a couple of main downtown buildings. The reflecting pool, in my view, integrates physically into the city the importance of the river in the history of this city.
A view across a park on the river.
This is the inside of the cathedral. I have significantly increased the amount of light in this image - there were practically no lights on inside the building - it was very dark inside.
Tomorrow we leave to drive north to Tours, half way to Paris. Maybe a little wine tasting at a Chateau before we leave Bordeaux.
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