Chassagny Montrachet - Batard

Our guest Huck next to the vineyard for the Holy Grail of whites.

Sunday Boat Ride - Addendum

I want to add a few more comments relating to our Saone Cruise.

My lovely wife on Mothers Day in France.  Doesn't she look especially beautiful and "trendy"

An on board birthday party complete with sparklers for the cake.  London was concerned as to blowing out these sparklers.  We sang Happy Birthday but it was in French.  They had the tempo correct but the words needed some help.  They ultimately changed to English.

End of cruise picture in the Chalon sur Saone harbor.  A design of flowers which is pretty cool in person

Chateauneuf en Auxois - Medevial Village

Double click the picture to EXPAND.  Note the Burgundy Canal in the picture.  It runs throughout the region and has a series of locks for the barges that historically transported goods from the villages.  This picture was take from outside of the castle looking over the valley below.  Pretty stunning.

London & Pappy - Best ride in town!!!

Today we went to Chateauneuf en Auxois a top of the hill medevial village.  It is rated as one of the most scenic historical villages in France.  We hung out, viewed the Castle, had lunch and then took back roads along the Burgundy Canal all of the way back to Beaune.  Sherry was seated in the way back and back seat drove the whole way.  She said it was like being on a roller coaster.  By the way, you have to like the way the dynasty ended!!

VILLAGE INFO

The castle was built in 1132 by Jean de Chaudenay for his second son Jehan. Jehan took possession of Castro Novo in 1175. The family reigned over the fief for 9 generations, en ending in tragedy in 1456, when Cathrine of Châteauneuf was burnt to death, after poisoning her second husband, Jacques d'Haussonville.

The castle was then given by Philippe le Bon (Duke of Burgundy) to his godson Philippe Pot. The interior courtyard buildings were rebuilt and the castle made much more comfortable. As Philippe Pot had no children and died in 1493 the estate was given to his brother Guy Pot and through marriages Marie Liesse de Luxembourg. As she became a Carmelite nun, the castle and lands were purchased by Charles de Vienne. For almost 150 years the castle remained in the family, until Louis Henri de Vienne sold to a rich banker "Paris de Montmartel" in 1767. Through various heritage the castle returned into the hands of the Veinne family.

With the French revolution, the castle was taken away from the family, the lands divided. The new name of the village was Montfranc. All coats of arms and "Royal" symbols degraded or destroyed. The village remained important as garrison for the National Guard and a commercial centre with a population of more than 500.

With Grammy and Pappy

Sent from my HTC Inspire™ 4G on AT&T

Guests Arrive and Euro Plummets!!

Today is a very big day for all of us.  Doug and Linda, Sherry's parents, arrived this morning in Paris and are in transit to Dijon.  We pick them up there sometime today.  We are going up and visiting a world famous Mustard shop in Dijon (get it - Dijon and mustard) and doing a little sightseeing and shopping.  No eating lunch since we have a big Murgeaz Saugsage and Steak grill going when we get home.

We are also having Huck and Kathleen arrive today.  They are friends from Dallas who arrived in Paris on Saturday and are visiting with us for the rest of the week.  Huck is in the wine business and has arranged some interesting tour stops for us this week.

So, we have to get going.

Oh, one weird thing happened yesterday.  Apparently during our visits here before it has come up that I resemble a famous French Actor.  Yesterday, 4 teenagers showed up at the Chateau wanting my autograph so they could post it on Facebook.  Needless to say they were disappointed when I opened my mouth to speak only English.

EURO HITS 1.40
The Euro is finally cooperating and getting in line with where we need it.  As you can see on the following chart we need to cheer for the 52 week low below 1.20

EUR/USD

 (CCY: EURUSD=X )

Last Trade:	1.4013
Trade Time:	4:34AM EDT
Change:	0.0145 (1.0277%)
Bid:	1.4012
Ask:	1.4013

Prev Close:	1.4158
Open:	1.4103
Day's Range:	1.4003 - 1.4157
52wk Range:	1.1876 - 1.4940

More pics from our Sunday Cruise

Mmmmm, have I mentioned how much I'm enjoying the 'menu enfant' in France. I love this food!!!!

Viking River Cruises - These cruises are 7+ days throughout all the towns along the river. This boat was HUGE, 3 levels with a pool on top. Quite a large boat for a pretty small river! I imagine the guests on board are enjoying LOTS of good wine!

View of Chalon & the Cathedral as we were ending our cruise. This is a really pretty area of Chalon sur Saone, lots of shops, cafes, the open-air weekend market and the cathedral.

Chalon Sur Saone Cruise

 Driving the boat.....

We spent 3.5 hours on the Saone River today enjoying lunch and the perfect weather. It is so interesting because as much as I wanted to do this cruise, I was certain it would be quite a 'touristy' event. Quite the opposite! The boat was full of locals out for a lunch with family and friends, celebrating birthdays, etc. We were the only Americans. In fact, we are discovering that it is quite unusual for Americans to visit/stay in Chalon. It is more of an industrial town along the river that isn't a tourist destination. If you ask me, I think we have discovered quite a gem! It is right in the heart of amazing food, markets, wine, small villages, lovely people - obviously, we love it! Although I will definitely have to continue my french language education before we return next summer, because no Americans = Very little english. ;->