1. Question: What are some of the “things” or activities that the people of Bordeaux do for fun?

Answer:

The Bordelaise, active and vibrant, enjoy wine tasting in one of the world’s great wine growing regions such as Saint Emilion or Pomerol. Dining at sidewalk tables that line the Historic District, and cycling/jogging on the pedestrian promenade adjacent to the Garonne River. A short drive to the Atlantic Ocean beaches, and to Arcachon, a colorful seaside town is where the Bordelaise dig into a plate of fresh oysters from the Gironde estuary. With one of the liveliest music scenes in France there are performances at the Grand Theater/Opera House, 1789, and on going productions and exhibits at La Cite du Vin, and night clubs. On Saturday and Sunday the Bordelaise also head to the Le Marche des Capucins market to art galleries and antique dealers in the colorful Saint Michel neighborhood.

2. Question: What’s one thing the public probably does NOT know about Bordeaux?

Answer:

Bordeaux is not a “Little Paris.” Old Town dating to the 18th century is the world’s largest UNESCO urban World Heritage Site. St. Catherine Street is the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe. In keeping with the dynamic French culture Bordeaux has a growing collection of young up-and-coming chefs. La Cite Du Vin is a five-star one-of-a-kind venue covering the World of Wine. Bordeaux, a cyclist’s paradise, is the sixth most cycle friendly city in the world with over 100 miles of cycling trails, and seven designated routes for exploring the city. Resident Melanie Pelle explains, “Visitor’s are surprised to discover that We have 71,000 acres of natural woods, parks, pine forests, private gardens and marshlands and a large number of hiking trails, and also 15 museums including a former Submarine Base bunker used during World War II.”

3.  Share some aspect of what Bordeaux has contributed to the world.

Answer:

Bordeaux is long noted for their fine wines anchored by 16th, 17th and 18th century chateaux; preserving their downtown Historic District with 5,000 buildings dating to the 18th century; La Cite Du Vin, (The City of Wine) an elaborate cultural experience, unique to the world, with eight floors, 19 themed modules detailing all aspects of wine through the ages with art exhibits, wine tasting and dining with a view.

Get more information about Bordeaux

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How the tasting for three people was done:

I briefly chilled the wines, then uncorked them and poured some into wine glasses, and we immediately took a sip. Then, we let them sit for an hour before we tasted again. While waiting that hour, I poured the wine through a Vinturi Tower wine aerator into different glasses. For each red, the sip was the worst, the aerator was second, and the open for an hour and poured was the fullest flavor – especially after swirling it in the glass for a bit. So if you don’t have time to let your wine breathe, use an aerator.

The two red wines according to Monterosola:

Mastio 2018 – “A beautiful rich ruby in color with elements of ripe fruits on the nose with a hint of red cherry, strawberries almonds and green herbs. A well-balanced combination of elegance and intensity on the palate with soft tannins and a generous aftertaste.”

Cresendo 2016 – “Deep garnet color with flavors of rich cherries, dried herbs, sweet oak, spices, black tea and toasted almonds. Both intense and complex on the palate it is powerful yet refined with a lengthy finish. Crescendo has great aging potential.”

What the tasting revealed:

Color, bouquet, and legs – both similarly red, the Mastio’s bouquet initially more inviting, but it didn’t have legs until it breathed. The Cresendo’s legs were walking from the first pour (see video), and the bouquet blossomed as the wine opened. Both are good quality for the price.

Finally, the taste:

Mastio’s medium bold and very drinkable flavor has red and black fruit notes and a smoothish tannic finish. Tuscany’s popular Sangiovese grape serves this wine well. There’s an herb taste I can’t place, surprising in a red, that adds to the complexity. One fellow taster preferred this imminently drinkable wine over the Cresendo, and went back to it after the tasting. Mastio is a great value and a perfect everyday wine that could be served for special occasions too. $15

Cresendo presents a stronger taste and smoother mouthfeel, with tobacco and oak notes beside the typical Sangiovese cherry that creates a full and complex flavor profile. If I had another bottle I might set it aside for tasting in a year or two, but it’s a lovely drink now if allowed to breathe. The other taster and I preferred this over the Mastio, and after the tasting had no trouble finishing it. Truthfully, if I’d had another bottle I’d probably have opened it right then. $28

Meanwhile… located in the heart of Tuscany, Italy, between the world-famous wine-growing regions of Chianti and Bolgheri, the Monterosola estate commands a hillside overlooking the medieval city of Volterra. Monterosola is one of the newest of the modern breed of estate vineyards that have become destinations in their own right. But what exactly is Monterosola?

Monterosola is a family owned and run vineyard with a brand-new architect-designed state-of-the-art cantina. They make award-winning organic wines by combining old traditions with modern technology. The family, Thomaeus, is a Swedish couple and their three grown children, each a sommelier in their own right, with the vision to buy an estate making good wines and turn it into a world-class producer of some of the finest organic wines in the world.

The new cantina was designed to use geothermal energy with heat pumps and a rain water collection system to generate sustainable energy and water consumption. It is naturally cooled and heated, and offers concerts and events in its various performance spaces, with fine dining to accompany their superior organic wines. I think it would be fun to visit and see their impressively located and designed facility. I’m used to seeing stainless steel fermenting vats, so a look at their concrete fermenting tanks (tulipes) and an explanation of their use would be educational. But mostly I want to taste their wines with their superb Italian food.

Tastings and tours can be arranged through the Monterosola website.

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Situated on 63 lush acres in Temecula’s burgeoning wine country, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa is a relaxing and idyllic destination for wine lovers and those who just want a relaxing getaway. The property boasts award-winning wine tasting, a gourmet restaurant, full-service spa (currently closed), a large pool area with cabanas, and a hotel with villas located in the vineyards.

My getaway to the resort began recently when a friend and I checked into a spacious, 575 square-foot villa suite, with stunning mountain views and a patio set among the grapes. The room also features a luxurious king bed, a living room with fireplace, dining area with microwave, refrigerator, kitchen sink and dining table, and a marble and granite bathroom with oversized Jacuzzi tub and walk-in shower.

After checking in to the villa, we decided to sample some of the winery’s most popular varietals. The front desk sent a golf cart to pick us up at our room and take us to the tasting area, where we sat outside on a large outdoor patio and sampled a flight of red wines. The smooth, fruity and earthy journey of wines included award-winning Grenache, Tempranillo, petit verdot and merlot.

From the tasting we took a stroll around the rolling estate. Founded by Jim Carter, the winery opened in 2003, followed by the restaurant and resort in 2006, and then the spa in 2007.

Today, South Coast Winery Resort and Spa has garnered more than 5,000 awards and medals for the grapes it’s grown and wine it’s produced. In 2016, it broke records with its fourth win in the California State Winery of the Year Wine Competition.

“I wanted to share the complete wine country experience,” says Jim Carter. “Guests not only enjoy the finest wines paired with the finest foods, but they stay in a private villa right in the middle of a vineyard. We are Temecula Valley’s only full-service winery-resort that gives them a glimpse of our lifestyle in one of the most beautiful places in Southern California.”

The winery produces 45 wine labels, the majority of which are available for sampling. This includes robust reds such as tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon, grenache, petit syrah, merlot and pinot noir, to whites including sauvignon blanc, viognier, pinot grigio, chardonnay and riesling. Also available are sparkling wines, desert wines and other specialty offerings.

While walking around the vineyards and dirt walking paths lining the resort, we spotted numerous bunny rabbits, old wind mills, hot air balloons, and a romantic, pumpkin-shaped horse carriage being pulled by two Clydesdale horses. The resort is currently offering packages that include an overnight stay, wine and either a ride in a hot air balloon or a horse carriage.

After touring the property we headed back to our villa and relaxed on the patio, with a bottle of South Coast Boulder Red 2.0. A bit Southern France and a tad Southern California, this wine features a balanced and clean taste, with the right amount of silky tannins.

For dinner we strolled over to the resort’s signature restaurant, The Vineyard Rose. Housed in an elegant, Tuscan-inspired dining room with open beams and a relaxing wine bar and terrace, The Vineyard Rose Restaurant serves contemporary California cuisine sourced from the season’s freshest, locally-grown ingredients. Because of the current California regulations, indoor seating is unavailable, but the restaurant boasts beautiful outdoor dining on its front patio or back veranda.

Our dinner at The Vineyard Rose began with a tasty shrimp cocktail and a glass of South Coast pinot grigio. For the main course I devoured seared day boat scallops with cauliflower, pork belly, asparagus tips and pea tendrils. My friend enjoyed grilled filet mignon with potatoes, wild mushrooms, asparagus and red wine reduction.

In the morning we stepped into summer paradise at the resort’s grand pool area, where we rented a cabana for the day. The large tent cabana provided shade from the sun and featured comfortable lounge chairs and a couch, and service from the poolside café. To meet current safety requirements, the pool is currently open by reservation only.

I concluded the evening with a glass of wine and a bubble bath in my villa’s giant Jacuzzi tub.

South Coast Winery Resort and Spa is located at 34843 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591. For more information on staying at the resort and current specials, including the Horse & Carriage Package or the Hot Air Balloon Package, call 951.587. 9463 or visit the South Coast Winery Resort & Spa website.

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