An intended 'escape' from it all was the plan...
A glorious September welcomed Sarah & Simon to
'La Bellevue' and it didn't take long before their fervent passion for wine and gastronomie became an
aventure of refinement.
How could two Wine & Foodie Experts come to the
Val de Loire and expect to 'escape' from it all ??
C'est impossible !!
Gérald, sharing Simon & Sarah's zeal and appreciation of wine arranged a day, specifically tailored for their tastes, visiting vineyards.
Introducing them to his personal friends,
vignerons with whom it would be impossible to meet without a French connection and personal introduction.
The AOC appellations of:
Saviennières, Chaume, Bonnezeaux, Crémant de Loire, Rosé de Loire, Anjou Village and Anjou were sampled.
And needless to say after much
déguster a lengthy French lunch was in order.
Bravo les anglais for ordering a traditional French delicacy, an
andouillette - you have put me to shame !
With next week seeing the end of Harvest 2009 at the Domaine it was the turn of the chenin grapes to be picked for the exquisite Côteaux de Saumur - a white wine and delicious accompaniment with foie gras or blue cheese. 
'The GP Team' !! Not quite recreating the romantic image of grape picking we like to imagine - but fortunately for them this autumn has been fabulous with glorious sunshine throughout the day.
The tractor and trailer used to take the picked grapes back to the Domaine.
With autumn taking a tighter grip daily the colours in the vines have been a picture.
