La belle Burgundy

I am in love with a charming, smooth talking, winemaking Frenchman called Pierre.  We had three hours yesterday tasting wine from all over Burgundy at Le Cave de l'Ange Gardien in Beane.  Did you know that the "New World" just doesn't know how to make good wine but luckily for all of us the wine-makers in Burgundy know all the secrets to making great Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  If it is white and from Burgundy they don't even bother to put Chardonnay on the label - it is always 100% Chardonnay.  Same with the Pinot Noir. 

It was a wet day yesterday and we drove from our wonderful accommodation in a hamlet just south of a little town called Saulieu to a picturesque French town called Autun and then up to Beaune, the centre of winemaking in Burgundy.  We walked around the old town and then had our very informative afternoon with Pierre and another two couples. 

Then joy of joys we went to the French supermarket and stocked up on our pates, bread, delicacies etc.  We didn't even have to buy wine because the people whose farm we are staying on have given us two bottles already and we have to drink them.  They have been so good to us, providing us with a meal to start off with, then yesterday when we came home, some banana bread and wine. 

Really, although the weather is not good, it hasn't stopped us having a great first day.  The trip over leaves a lot to be desired.  It is such a long flight.  On our way out from Paris, we stopped at a little town called Auxerre to stretch our legs and have a walk around.  It was a stroke of luck as they were having their annual wine tasting and food gorging festival.  This town is quite close to the town of Chablis so the wineries were well represented and we had a taste of a wide range of wines from the area.  Great afternoon.  That night we slept for 13 hours - felt like bears but it was good.

The countryside in Burgundy is stunning and we are thoroughly enjoying driving around.  Today we are off to our local town and a couple of closer attractions while we wait for the sun to shine!!!!