I was soooo looking forward to this day. I love going to French farm markets and I can’t wait to invade Margaret’s gorgeous kitchen.

Today, we’re scheduled to go to Creon Farmers’ Market to shop for the ingredients we needed to cook our very own lunch. As expected, the farmers’ market was an assault to all the senses, in the most beautiful way. The colors, the various food smells, the food samples we had along the way, even the lovely snippets of French conversations that I couldn’t understand — all contributed to the uniqueness of the experience.

Back at the chateau, we started our cooking adventure by donning our beautiful Bordeaux Wine Experience aprons. It’s the little touches like this that make this whole experience really special.

After slicing, dicing, and yes, a lot of drinking, lunch is finally served!!!

Yes, my dear friends, I cooked vegetables!

Afternoon was set for those who want to see Bordeaux for themselves. Or a free time at the chateau. Mind you, staying at the chateau is a treat in itself.

In Bordeaux, we searched for mussels because we wanted something”light”. And because I didn’t take pictures, I totally forgot the name of the restaurant… It was in front of the river and is  two blocks left from this beautiful landmark.

These are the wines we had for this day: ( I shake my head in disbelief as i type this. Seriously amazing)

• Clos des Lunes, Lune d’Argent 2016, AOC Bordeaux Blanc Sec
• Cuvé Hortense Prestige 2017, AOC Entre Deux Mers
• Rosé de la Solitude 2017, AOC Bordeaux Rosé (Rosé made by Chateau de la Solitude, AOC Pessac-Léognan)
• Rosé de Chevalier 2017, AOC Bordeaux Rosé (Rosé made by Domaine de Chevalier, AOC Pessac-Léognan)
• Tertre Blanc 2015, vin de France (the white wine made by Château du Tertre, 5e Grand Cru Classé, AOC Margaux
• Château Haut Brion 2006, 1e Grand Cru Classé, AOC Pessac-Léognan
• Chateau Latour 1995, 1er Grand Cru Classé, AOC Pauillac
• Chateau Rieussec 2001, 1e Grand Cru Classé, AOC Sauternes
• Bas-Armagnac Francis Darroze 1985 Domaine de Bellair, (33 years in oak!) AOC Bas-Armagnac, from Double Magnum!

Day 2 is The Medoc Region

After a wonderful breakfast of croissants, fruits and coffee, we boarded our bus at 8AM. Today we concentrated on the wines of the Northern section of the Left Bank of the Gironde River. This 40 mile-long peninsula, between the river and the Atlantic, which is home to such famed wine producing districts as Pauillac, Margaux and St. Julien.

In the bus, Ronald explained the wine-making process. In between the jokes and valuable info, he also explained how my newest favorite dessert, caneles, was created. Our first stop was Chateau Mouton Rothschild.

We visited the vat rooms (with their custom oak tanks with glass strips though which they can view the progress of the fermentation), a couple barrel rooms, the reserve room (vast, with vintages to die for). We also toured the museum (sorry, no photos allowed!) which featured Rothschild’s private art collection.

Next stop – Prieuré Lichine

We were scheduled to have our lunch here, little did we know that we were in for SUCH A TREAT.

Chateau Lascombes was next on the list.

For dinner, we were booked to dine at La Tupina. It is a renowned restaurant in downtown Bordeaux. It is Michelin-rate and recommended, therefore deserves its own review. Click on the link for the separate piece.

These are all the wines we had for this day. It IS amazing, isn’t it?

• Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2012, 1e Grand Cru Classé, AOC Pauillac

• Le Blanc de Chateau Prieuré-Lichine 2016, AOC Bordeaux
• Château Prieuré-Lichine 2009, 4e Grand Cru Classé, AOC Margaux
• Château Prieuré-Lichine 2006 (Served from Magnum!), 4e Grand Cru Classé, AOC Margaux
• Château Prieuré-Lichine 2002 (Served from double Magnum!), 4e Grand Cru Classé, AOC Margaux
• Chevalier de Lascombes 2013, (second wine of Château Lascombes, 2e Grand Cru Classé, AOC Margaux)
• Château Lascombes 2012, 2e Grand Cru Classé, AOC Margaux
• Chateau Scylla 2017, AOC Entre deux Mers
• Nr 5 de Sigalas Rabaud 2017, by Chateau Sigalas Rabaud, 1e Grand Cru Classé, AOC Sauternes
• Chateau de Dauphine 2011, AOC Fronsac
• Chateau Talbot 1982, 4e Grand Cru Classé, AOC Saint Julien