Rhone Part 6, Saturday: we drive from home base in Cairanne to a chateau and then to Pont-du-Gard…

… In Pont-du-Gard to visit with 39 wineries who’ve set up for the day. We’re in the shadow of the Roman aqueduct & bridge. A very picturesque setting. We taste wines from Tavel – home of famous rosé wines, Lirac and many more Cote du Rhone wines. Memorable wines:

– ’09 Domaine Coudoulis Cotes du Rhone (grenache, syrah, cinsault)
– ’07 Domaine Brice Beaumont Lirac St. Pierre (grenache, syrah, cinsault, mourvedre, carignan)
– ’09 Domaine Cabanis Jardin Secret, Costieres de Nimes

Now we drive south to Avignon. 14th Century walls surround the old city and the magnificent Palais des Papes, home to several Popes beginning in 1309. This is the largest Gothic palace in Europe.

Dinner tonight is so perfect, I’m pretty sure I’m in another realm! We dine in a restaurant called Campagne, Vignes & Gourmandises in Sainte-Cecile-les-Vignes. Lentil cream soup with scallops (chicken stock with very finely chopped lentils & cream), Poached Guinea Hen with fingerlings in a delicate white wine cream sauce, and cheese platter to finish. The 2009 Domainr de la Janasse Viognier was a perfect complement.

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