Inside the walls of Chateau de Pommard is aworld of art, history, fine wines and welcome. We were recieved at the Chateau by the lovely Marie, the Conseillere en Vins. Marie was wonderful, so friendly, and such a wealth of knowledge.
She took us to see the 17th century wine press, almost big enough to fill the room where it was housed surrounded by ancient wine making tools.
Next was the chateau kitchen which has a 17th century tournebroche on the wide hearth. A tournebroche is an old rotisserie, opperated by a pulley system. It has little conical cups that fill with the suculent juices from the meat as it roasts, the cups tip the juice into a tray which has a small gutter to deliver the the juice over the meat, automatically basting it as it cooks. What a wonderful invention, I can see one being installed in the kitchen back home on our return.
We were introduced to the Chateau's Wine Maker, Emmanuel. He rinsed a few glasses while we chatted, and filled them with a taste of a 2007 Chassagne Montrachet straight from the vat. The taste made me wish I could sit amongst the vines and sip his wine in the warmth of the sun, it was light and summery with lemon and grapefruit notes. Marie says it would be great with seafood, especially lobster. Well, if only they would plate me up a lobster, I might be able to give my opinion. Unfortunately , there was not a lobster to be found, so I took Marie's word for it, I'm sure she is right though. Emmanuel is a lovely man and very proud of his wine - rightly so!
Marie left us to our own devices for a while and invited us to make ourselves at home in the grounds of the Chateau, "you can visit the Salvador Dali exhibition if you like" she said - so we did. The exhibition was so beautiful, filled with tiny sculptures, some in elegant poses, some not so. My favourite pieces were 'Alice aux pays des merveilles' and the lovely bronze, in the chateau courtyard, of 'Lady Godiva'. The owner of the chateau has two Dali's in his personal collection housed in an inner courtyard for all to enjoy.
We met up with Marie again for a look inside the 18th century Chateau cellars. It was cool and faintly musty inside the tunels that stretched under the inner courtyard of the property. Tunnel after tunnel was lined with French oak barrels and aging wine bottles, the oldest for sale is from 1977 and is quite a reasonable price at €130 a pop (don't forget to double that for AUD back home).
Marie invited us for a wine tasting and what a delight it was. Pommard wines certainly do deserve the fine reputation they own the world over. My personal favoutite was the 2006 Chateau de Pommard Cuvee Prestige, John's was the 2004 vintage with elegant tannins, and whafts of coffee and spice, mmm.
We wandered the function rooms of pretty frescoed walls, gilded mirrors and chandeliers, before strolling through the gardens. I love to see trees laden with fruit. The garden was planted with apple and pear trees, surrounded by lavender in bold purple and tomato plants heavy with fruit.
AJ had a date to play tennis with Bruno at the local courts at 6, he came home smashed after an hour and a half of chasing tennis balls, 'too many eclair chocolat,' I told him.
