Tournon, Wine, Chocolate, and Captain's Gala

Monday, July 23.  Day 6 - No Minstrel.  Yea!!! It lasted, as predicted, three days .  Most of our group headed off today through the scenic countryside to the village of Cornas, which is in the heart of the Codes du Rhone wine region.  Wine from here has been famous since the 10th century and continues to so today.  The wine specialist at the vineyard explained the machinery and wine making process, the AOC Ratings (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée), the care and pruning of the vines, and took them to the wine cellars.  At Cornas there are 90 hectares (about 222 acres) of grape vines that produce about 4000 hl (roughly 106,000 gallons) of Syrah wine.  I haven't heard if anyone had a case shipped home. 

 No wrath on these grapes from the village of Cornas

Wine Tasting in Cornas

Another group of us went to Tournon's Castle for a culinary tour, learning to pair red wines with chocolate made deserts!  Tournon Castle, a feudal castle dating from the 10th century, sits in the city opposite the famous terraces of the Tain-l'Hermitage vineyards.  We were accompanied to the castle by Marie-Josee Faure, owner of the Les Sens'Ciel, a sweet little wine store in Tournon, and Carrine Contessi, a chef and chocolate expert, from the famous chocolate factory located across the river.  Marie-Josee explained that the wine is chosen first, and then the complimentary chocolate ingredients (beginning first with butter, cocoa paste, sugar and spices) are prepared into sweet little delights in balance with the wine.  We began with the simplest wines and complimentary chocolate deserts, and then moved to more intense wines and more intricate chocolate desserts.  We found, indeed, chocolate and red wine can be correctly selected to compliment the other!  Where's Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp?

 Castle in Tournon where we paired wine and chocolate

All Aboard! at 12:30 to continue up the Rhone towards Vienne.  The shipped offered tours of the wheel house during the afternoon.  Our ship cruised lazily passing charming villages, churches, and vineyards, we passed through several locks and one extremely low bridge.  An excellent way to pass restful and beautiful afternoon! 

 Charming villages along the Rhone

The Largest Lock yet

Docking in Vienne Monday Night

A guest sommelier, Laurent, hosted a Cotes du Rhone wine tasting in the afternoon.  The Captain's Gala Dinner was held in the evening.  Jean and Dwight were invited to sit with the Captain, his wife, and other guests at his table as they were celebrating their anniversary.  Baked Alaska was grandly presented around the dining room as a most amazing finale to this evening!  A demain.......

Dwight and Jean Denny at Captain's Table

Captain Louis Devaux and his wife Patricia