Picture Time!!

Words & Wine 2010 in pictures (Part 1):

 And there's so much more....

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Wow. So we're only 3 days away from leaving and one week away from the official start of Words & Wine 2010! (The time difference is because Chris and I are spending a few days in Geneva, Switzerland before the "official" part of the trip. More wine. More food.).

We'll be posting photos and comments...but um, over at Facebook. Join the Words & Wine group on Facebook for a near daily update. This blog will be updated most likely when we return. It's so hard to keep up with all this technology!

A Bientot!

Why I Can't Wait to Go Back

I follow this blog by David Lebovitz--Living the Sweet Life in Paris. And I'm not really much of a sweets/ dessert person. But the recent blog post...well, that's why I can't wait to return to France.

Check it out: Great Dining Deals in Paris.

Yeah, we're just about 2 months away from all of this. Let the countdown begin!

More France Fun

I can't decide what I'm more excited about...Paso Robles and the Forgotten Grapes trip in May, or France and the Words & Wine trip in June. Hmmm...

Here's day 2 of the France trip:

TUESDAY, JUNE 22
9:30am — Depart for Avignon
11:00am – 4:00pm: Free time to explore Avignon
4:30pm – 6:30pm: A tour of the Chateauneuf du Pape vineyards and a visit to the ruins of the eponymous Chateau followed by a tasting of wines at Ogier Caves des Papes from various appellations, including Chateauneuf du Pape, up and down the Rhone river.
7:00pm: Dinner at La Mere Germaine, a small, family-owned restaurant in Chateauneuf du Pape featuring stunning views of the Rhone river and surrounding countryside.

I'm excited about both.
(By the way, there are 2 spots left on both trips if anybody's interested just email for more information.)

Isn't it gorgeous? Can't wait to go back.

Words & Wine 2010--it's happening!

Words & Wine 2010:  June 20 to the 27th! The itinerary includes many exciting and fun days, like....

Monday, June 21st:
10:15a.m. Tasting at Domaine Gallety
11:30a.m: Special Tour of the Old Viviers Catherdral by Father Georges
12:30pm: Lunch at the Relais du Vivarais
2:00pm: A tour and tasting at Latour winery, a larger winery known for its Chardonnay and Grand Ardeche Wines
3:00pm: A stop a the Roman ruins of Alba La Romaine

3:45pm: Tour and tasting a Mas d'Intras winery (a personal favorite)

5:00pm: Stop a Lavender Museum and gardens as we drive through the Gorges de Ardeche
6:30pm: Return to Notre Dame de Cousignac for aperitifs
6:30pm to 8pm: Winemaker Raphael Pommier will guide us on a tour of the Notre Dame de Cousignac vineyards

and the still-operational 13th century chapel on the property, followed by a tour and overview of the winery's winemaking operations with a private tasting of the wonderful wines of Notre Dame de Cousignac (the rose' is not to be missed!!)
8:00pm:  A very special dinner at the winery; regional specialties prepared by Rachel and Raphael Pommier and paired with both Notre Dame de Cousignac wines and other regional wines. 

And if history repeats itself, much talk and revelry late into the evening. Jet lag? What jet lag??

There are still a couple of spots left on the trip. More info and registration available at www.wordsandwine.com --or leave a comment and we'll send you the info.