Friday March 16th Day 3
Bright and early, we all were eager to visit Art du Tonneau. With whispers of having a barrel building competition; members started strategizing whom they wanted to pair up with.
Our host Daniel was simply amazing, he engaged everyone, with a great sense of humor. We discovered the art of cooperage and its origins. Also, learned about the wood use, the assembly, fire chamber and the influence and outcome of all those components on the wine produced. As Daniel says “Burgundy makes wine and Bordeaux makes colour” Next, was the dreaded competition, building a barrel. It is definitely not as easy as it looks. Hats off to the women who made a solid barrel that was ready to be toasted. Congratulations!!
And now we were off to another anticipated tasting! The famous white Burgundies of Montrachet and Meursault.
It was a magical drive on our way into Chassagne Montrachet, these famous vineyards are just so beautiful and rich in history. It was a humbling experience to say the least. On our arrival to meet with Laurent Pillot, he welcomed us with a big smile and happy to have so many Canadians in his cellar. He explained the history of the winery and that his ancestors had been coopers in the past. 6 generations since, they have been making these pristine wines with a length that will last in your memory for a long time.
These 2016 wines will be imprinted in our minds forever:
Chassagne Montrachet
Puligny Montrachet “Noyers Bret”
Chassagne Montrachet Grandes Ruchottes 1er Cru
Chassagne Montrachet Les Champgains 1er Cru
Chassagne Montrachet Morgeot 1er Cru
Pommard Clos de Verger 1er Cru
Pommard les Charmots 1er Cru
Again, these are very limited; make sure you try them when they arrive in Ontario. You will know exactly what we mean.
Well, we have definitely worked up an appetite (for once on this trip LOL) Just, a few hills and a couple more windy roads, we found ourselves in Volnay. An excellent traditional restaurant called Le Cellier Volnaysien had a long table waiting for us, underneath the mural of the map of burgundy with all the villages. Something to dream about as we waited for our choice of escargots, jambon persillé, or salade paysanne (with egg, bacon and ham); this was not the main course. We had another course to choose from….. Coq á la lie vin (rooster in red wine) oeuf en Meurette (poached eggs in red wine and bacon pieces) DELICIOUS! and the filet de Volaille de Bresse á la crème (chicken with a cream sauce) Followed by formage of course
The Burgundians, know how to cook! A great home cooked, rustic lunch!
Our final tasting of the day was in Aloxe-Corton with Freddy from Domaine Meuneveaux. A young guy that is taking over from his family, he was full of smiles and also did his best at speaking English (perhaps we should know some French, never mind that though, his wines spoke for themselves)
Bourgogne Blanc 2015
Corton Grand Cru 2015
Chorey les Beaune Rouge 2016
Aloxe-Corton Rouge 2016
Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru 2016
Again, The London Club members on this trip organized by The Mellecey Wine Group were thrilled to be able to purchase straight from the producer, with signed labels.
What a great memory from this trip of a lifetime.
Phew, we have a few hours off to rest and get ready for our 3 Michelin dinner at Maison Lameloise
A true institution of French gastronomy and a charming hotel, the Maison Lameloise has cultivated art de vivre since more than 90 years. In medieval times the cuisine attracted already the Dukes of Burgundy. This long and delightful story is continued by Chef Éric Pras, MOF (Best Craftsman of France), and Frédéric Lamy at the head of the former coach house dating back to the 15th century. The fresh, precise and delicate cuisine of Éric Pras gives this iconic restaurant a new, young image.
Words cannot express the pleasure this meal gave to each and every one of us with absolute perfect wine pairing. Just to give you an idea (and you might need to translate this) of this incredible meal. Here is what we had…..
Saveurs d’ici & d’ailleurs á l’apéritif
Crème anglaise au parfum de meurette| oeuf de caille
Boeuf Charolais & Fois Gras
Langoustine & Verveine
Saint Jacques & Cho-Fleur
Agineau De Lait
Fromages Frais & Affinés
Plaisir sucré
Chocolat & Estragon
Mignardises & chocolats
Wine Pairing:
Cremant de Bourgogne Cuvée Simon-collection Lameloise
Chablis 2012-Domaine Francois Raveneau
Auxey Duresses les Hautés 2015 Domaine Jean Marc Vincent
Magnum St Veran les Pommards 2014 Domaine Robert Denogent
Magnum Mercurey 1er Cru les Veleys 2015 Domaine Francois Raquillet
Marsannay les Longeroies 2014 Domaine Sylvain Pataille
Porta Vintage Rainha Santa Quinta Boa Vista 1995
And with a signed menu from the chef, I think we have all died and gone to heaven.
