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Brett & Rachel's European Vacation 2008

Beaune, France
Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland

Beaune

09.29.08 - 09.30.08

terrior

As our bus rolled along the hilly terrain, Kristin explained about the vineyards we saw everywhere. Amazingly, the same grapes are grown on all the hillsides. But, the wines produced will be very different depending on their growing location - top, middle or bottom of the hill. This is due to the variations of the terrior, the soil compositions and drainage, and their exposition to the sun, rains, the soil. The wines of Burgundy (Bourgogne) are of the highest quality.

The soil is the perfect composition of minerals and has perfect drainage which is necessary for perfect ripening.

The grapes reflect the terrior, and then the winemaker takes over to alter flavors as he sees fit. The cellars are kept very cold, important for natural aging of the wines. Every village produces its own wine. And the area around Beaune has produced wine since 300 AD. The Catholic church took over wine-making during the Middle Ages, so you'll find wineries & hotels in restored monasteries.

09.30.08 - 10.02.08

Brett & Rachel Bell
Virginia Beach,
Virginia

Leaving Paris, the city life fades .... and we roll into the beautiful French countryside .... passing castles, pastures & vineyards en route to the Burgundy region of France, famous for its wine, beef and Dijon mustard. Kristin points out the grazing white cows on the steep slopes of the hills. They are Charolais cattle and famous for their tender beef. Beef + wine = Boeuf Bourguignon

Beaune (pronounced 'bone' in a French accent) is where life centers around the production & consumption of the prestigious, expensive Côte d'Or wines. Beaune is the Burgundy region’s wine capital. Such a small town, made up of a few narrow and curving roads with pedestrian streets of shops, restaurants and historical buildings. It is completely encircled by a medieval ramparts wall and a stream. This peaceful, quaint countryside town ably caters to the huge influx of tourists who come to buy wine.

Burgundian cuisine — considered peasant cooking, but elevated to an art. Several classic dishes were born here - Coq au Vin (chicken stewed in Burgundy wine) and Boeuf Bourguignon (choice pieces of beef simmered in red burgundy with small onions, carrots and potatoes.) La carte des vins (wine list) has a huge selection to enhance the fine food you choose.

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