Bonjour from Beaune


Bonjour from Beautiful Burgundy.

It was unseasonably warm in Paris last week, 87F, but beautiful blue skies and no humidity.

We took the TGV high speed train from Paris to Dijon, then to Beaune, a 2 hour journey.

This is wine country. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, French style.


I have a new found love for Chablis! Not popular in the States, but served everywhere in France.

We were guests of Maison Joseph Drouhin and learned all about their 500 year old cellars and their organic wine making process.


We had a personal guided tour from Jean-Pierre and we tasted about 10 different wines.


Our whole time there, we never once tasted a Beaujoulais or Pouilly Fuisse, which is what I see most in my wine shops from Burgundy.

The town of Beaune is quaint with many wine shops and specialty food stores. Cheeses are even better here than in Paris, and the croissants and pastries were amazing.

We stayed at a lovely small chateau in Beaune and had a beautiful dinner on the terrace.


One afternoon we went truffle hunting with a German Shepherd named "Ash". He found 4 truffles within 10 minutes.


The dog does not eat the truffle, but smells it, gets excited, starts digging, then is rewarded with a treat of Comte (cheese).
He works for treats (as do I).

Next, on to a ride in the country with our personal tour guide, Elohim.


We were guests of Domaine H. Naudin-Ferrand Wines, which is a very tiny family owned vineyard, operated by a woman vintner, their "cave du vin" is actually in their basement!


One man puts the labels on the bottles, and another employee does the bottling.


They produce very small batches of biodynamique (their word for "organic") wine. No sulphites ever used.
Only 2 men work the fields and we tasted some special reds and whites.

In most villages in France on Wednesdays and Saturdays they have their farmer's market in the middle of the town.

Saucisson and local cheeses, as well as crafts and produce abound.

It is mirabelle season at the moment, so many desserts have this special small yellow plum involved.


You like tomatoes? I thought New Jersey had the market cornered, not the case.
The heirlooms were as good as mine (it took a lot for me to say that!).


We met some nice people and took in the tastes and sites.

If you have the opportunity to take a few days to visit the Burgundy region, I highly recommend it.


Back to Paris tomorrow.


A Bientot!

xo


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Comments

Ciao Chow Linda said…
Count me in for all of it Stacey - the wines, the truffles, the chateau, the tomatoes - all looks terrific and you have me yearning for Burgundy.
Anonymous said…
Oh my! This looks wonderful. Thank you for taking us along. I love your travel posts since I don't cook!!!

Kelly
I wish I had a basement for a "cave du vin." How fun would that be.

Enjoying every minute of your posts. I didn't realize the French grew heirloom tomatoes. Those are some beauties.
Sam
Natalia said…
I've always dreamed of a day like that in the French countryside - even though I'm not fond of French wine, but would definitely like to go hunting for truffles, much as I hunt for boletus, and chanterelles in the Catskills. Your vacation looks more and more fabulous Stacey. And to borrow a line from one of my favorite children's characters - Eloise: oooo, j'adore France!
I could sit on that hill, look at that view with a bottle of any of the wine you mentioned, throw in some cheese, a croissant or two, I'd never leave!
LG O'Connor said…
Looks fantastic, Sta! I live the truffle hunt...
Patsy said…
I have trouble dislodging myself from Paris, but this looks like a very worthy diversion!
Anonymous said…
Everything looks wonderful. I'm loving every picture and wishing I could be there.

Bernardine