We are living in the heart of the Burgundy wine region here in Combertault. A short drive in either direction finds us amoungst the lush vines.
Today we explored a few nearby wine villages, all were brim full of beauty and the romance you would expect of the Burgundy region. The roads of tiny Volnay were barely wide enough to drive the car through, and believe me, out car is a tiny one! We all just hold our breath in instinctively, somehow hoping it will decrease our girth at the narrowest parts. Silly I know.
In the heart of Volnay is a small square, defined by a park with sweeping views over the vine covered slopes, cut down wine barrels filled with flowering geraniums, a church, and Vignerons, one of which was industriously cleaning his wine barrels. Just above Volnay is a gorgeous panorama view of the village of Pommard, looking like a desert surrounded by an oasis of vines.
Driving along the narrow roads, I am sure no one but us and the wine makers use, we stumble across Meursault, it is gorgeous and has the prettiest Mairie (town hall) I have ever seen. It's roof is made of the unique coloured tiles so typical of the Burgundy region. Back-pack laden cyclists cruised into the village heart with sweat on their brows, cycling is a popular way to discover this area. I bet they have no trouble negotiating the narrow village streets.
JR scoots around the village to snap his beautiful works of art while AJ and I wander our own path of discovery. We sit together in the shade and eat the plumpest, most succulent and juicy French cherries known to man.
We eat early tonight, a salad of bursting fresh lettuce, eggs, smoky lardons, blushing tomatoes, croutons delicately seasoned with freshly ground pepper and Guerande sea salt, drizzled within an inch of its life with a delicate mustard dressing. JR goes out to capture Burgundy in magic hour, he loves this time of day. Thomas arrives with a replacement BBQ which may not be needed as we have been told the kind of electric BBQ we are using actually requires the water in the bottom to enable it to work - what the??? AJ and I have a long chat to the lovely JC, our December home-exchanger from Brussels. It is only 3 weeks until he visits us here at Combertault. We share our excitement about cooking his recipe of 'painted chicken' together. Can't wait to meet you JC!
