My family and I chose this country for this year’s summer vacation as a “dry-run” for a big New Zealand adventure scheduled hopefully for next year. We want to do a long RV trip around the country. With the narrow streets and right-handed vehicles, Ireland sounded perfect for such purpose.
The wild Irish ways (drinking and singing and bar-crawling) did not extend to its cuisine. Don’t get me wrong, I still found good eats . Like I’ve always said, the foundation of good food, is fresh authentic ingredients. Ireland, with it’s rich vegetation and healthy livestock, is all about quality ingredients. Let’s just say that the potato famine, which played a huge part of their history, remained where it is, in history.
We spent 2 weeks driving around in our little car through narrow, winding roads, taking in all the quaint yet breathtaking scenes around us. This is the tiny town of Doolin.As expected, fish and chips were everywhere. This is the best of what seems like a dozen orders that we had throughout the trip. This was from McDermott’s Pub (Doolin). Batter was light, crisp and not greasy. The chips were hand-cut and seasoned, also very crisp. Not the healthiest, of course, but that’s not why were writing a blog. Haha.
Ahh…gin and tonic. This is what got me through the stress of this vacation. Yes, stress. We travel with a very strict itinerary. That’s the only way to maximize the experience. So sometimes….it can get pretty hectic and stressful. This is why God made alcohol.
Cliff of Moher as taken from the south side. Picturesque views will be interlopedwith these food pic because how could i not include such beauty?Lambs are a thing here in Ireland. They are cute and wooly and they are delicious. This was at a restaurant in Fanore (another tiny village). There’s only one restaurant in the village. It has a very colorful door, you wont’t miss it.This is a fun pic of us being dorks in the cliffs. Obviously, we lived to tell the tale of goofing off without falling off the cliff. Just don’t try it, folks. The Irish believe on natural selection so they don’t put fences on thousand feet high cliffs. This is from an enormous fort in Inishmore (the biggest of the Aran Islands). Having a snack at the lovely Aran Islands. The honey cake was delicious!DIngle is a lovely village made even lovelier by the gin that it produces.We had a day trip here and did a little “pubbing”This is not an Irish dish. It’s pork belly. Dingle is a bit touristy so restaurants kinda want to keep up with the trendy dishes. This isn’t bad, but I’ve had better (in fact, I can cook it better! )Cork is renowned for its good food and fresh produce. This is their famous English market.The market boasts of the best of what the Atlantic can offer.
This is one really tasty seafood linguini, perfectly complemented by blueberry gin and tonic.
This wraps up the first part of my wild, Irish food adventure. The next part is concentrated on Dublin, as we spent a few days there. Stay tuned!
I dreaded this day to come. I have gotten used to this wake up, drink wine, Michelin dinner, rinse, repeat, kind of lifestyle.
But Ronald Rens had a wonderful day in store for us. We are to be exploring the Right Bank, so that means yummy Pomerol and even yummier Saint Emilion.
First stop was Chateau Gazin.
We were very fortunate to have one of the owners come out and explain to us their wine-making process.
Look t this lovely color. Merlot is my favorite shade of red.Their tasting room is very warm, rustic and welcoming . It kinda reminds me of the look that most Texan wineries strive for.
Our next stop was magical. We visited Chateau Angelus and they prepared the warmest welcome for us. They had their infamous bells play The Star Spangled Banner. It was the sweetest sound and really very touching. My husband is a veteran and that was extra special for him as well.
This is a tiny replica of their awesome propertywe had our tasting in their terrace where we are able to view the vineyardsHere’s Dave posing with the very hospitable owners.
Our next stop was Saint Emilion for wine shopping and lunch.
From the top of the village, you can see the church squareLunch was at Le Tertre. You have to get down this path to get to it. I am not even joking about the rocky terrain. There are several paths in Saint Emilion which are not knee-friendly. But look how gorgeous it is.
Le Tertre is located in the heart of this medieval village. Its wine-cellar is carved out of solid rock! Click on the link for my restaurant review.
Last stop is Ronald’s favorite wine store. Our last hurrah to take home all these good wines that we have been partaking.
He gives us advise on how to build up our cellars. A mean feat considering we have budgetary constraints!
Back at the chateau, we were given enough time to get our stuffs ready as it is time to be getting back to our non-chateau lives tomorrow. So sad…
This is the beautiful scene that greeted us for our farewell dinner. This is making it difficult to say goodbyeOur four-course farewell dinner was preceded by Ronald sabering this beautiful magnum of my favorite champagne
Amidst the delicious food and wine, was the stories. So many anecdotes about previous tours, wines and human experiences that I can only marvel about. This is what makes this tour so different from the rest. It’s the human camaraderie, the endless humor. And no, it’s not just because we were plied with so much exceptional wine that we get such favorable impression. The whole experience was truly EXCEPTIONAL.
This is the line-up of the wines we had for the night. It has all of Ronald’s favorite bottles as well as the bottles we brought from home to share with the group.
The 2018 Bordeaux Grand Cru Harvest Tour III enjoying First Growths at the Farewell dinner at Chateau Coulon Laurensac
This is the mind-boggling array of wonderful wines we had for the day. I’m telling you, I cannot make this up even if i tried
Château Gazin 2016, AOC Pomerol
Château Angélus 2011, 1e Grand Cru Classé “A”, AOC Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Chateau Haut Segottes 2012, AOC Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Chateau Fonbel 2012, AOC Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Chateau Millens 2010, AOC Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Chateau Laniote 2016, Grand Cru Classé, AOC Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Clos de la Veille Eglise 2015, AOC Pomerol
Clos Dubreuil 2014, AOC Saint Emilion Grand Cru
L’ du Roy 1999, AOC Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Roc de Cambes 2014, AOC Cotes de Bourg
Château Canon 2015, 1e Grand Cru Classé “B”, AOC Saint Emilion Grand Cru
The 2018 Bordeaux Grand Cru Harvest Tour III savoring an exquisite lunch in Saint Emilion
Château Figéac 2014, 1e Grand Cru Classé B, AOC Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Champagne Bollinger Spéciale Cuvée, from Magnum, AOC Champagne
Chateau Bouscaut 2016 (Blanc), Grand Cru Classé de Graves, AOC Pessac-LéoganChateau Carbonnieux 2016 (Blanc), Grand Cru Classé de Graves, AOC Pessac-Léogan
“Inspiration” Winemaker for a day, Raymond Vineyards 2016, Napa Valley, USA, offered by Nancy
“Tranquility” Winemaker for a day, Raymond Vineyards 2016, Napa Valley, USA, offered by Nancy
Bellissimo 2016, Cape Creek Vineyards from Texas, offered by Dave and Ammie
Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA, offered by Harlan and Kay
Rudd, Oakville Estate 2010, Napa Valley, USA, offered by Lois
Alpha Omega Petit Verdot 2014, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyards, Napa Valley, USA, offered by Carolyn and John
Joli Coeur 2010, Morlet Family Vineyards, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, offered by Linda
Chateau Haut Bailly 2011, Grand Cru Classé, AOC Pessac-Léognan, offered by Teddi
Château d’Armailhac 2000, 5e Grand Cru Classé, AOC Pauillac, offered by Brad and Cathy
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1985, 1er Grand Cru Classé, AOC Pauillac
Chateau Margaux 1985, 1er Grand Cru Classé, AOC Pauillac
Chateau d’Yquem 1996, 1e Grand Cru Classé Supérieur, AOC Sauternes
Wines tasted on the 2018 Bordeaux Grand Cru Harvest Tour III at the Farewell dinner at Coulon Laurensac
This is hands-down the best tour of anything that I’ve had in my life. And I have travelled A LOT. I’ve got an impressive creed of having been to more than 50 countries and about 150 cities in my entire 47 years of living. Anyone who likes wine should be on this tour and elevate that liking to loving. I know that’s what it did to me.
