10 cars (20 tourists) travelled down for a fantastic three day tour of Loire and Bordeaux.
The tourists were treated to the following schedule:
Wednesday 18th July
1. 06.00 – Meet at Channel Tunnel for a 06.50 shuttle. (Arrive in France 08.25)
2. 08.45 – Leave Calais to drive to Dentelle D’Alencon – scheduled light lunch/pit stop
3. 14.00 – First tasting in Loire at Florent Baumard (Coteaux du Layon & Savennières)
4. 15.30 – Leave for Vouvray at– arrive at Christophe Pichot’s for 17.00 tasting.
5. 18.30 – Arrive back at our hotel, North West of Tours – Chateau des Sept Tours.
6. 19.30 – 20.00 Drinks reception followed gourmet dinner.
Thursday 19th July
1. 07.15 – Breakfast at Chateau des Sept Tours
2. 08.00 – Drive to Bordeaux, Pomerol for lunch – (220 miles, circa 4 hours)
3. 12.00 – Lunch at Le Bistro & Le Table des Vignerons, Pomerol centre
4. 13.30 – Leave for first tasting at Chateau La Tuilerie du Puy – (30 miles 1 hour)
5. 14.45 – 16.00 Arrive in Le Puy for tasting and tour of vineyard
6. 16.00 – Drive to St Emilion, (25 miles, 45 minutes)
7. 17.00 – 18.00 Tasting at Chateau Fontplegade, Saint Emilion
8. 18.00 – Drive to Hotel Grand Barrail, Saint Emilion – scheduled arrival 18.15
9. 19.30 – 20.00 Drinks reception and gourmet dinner
Friday 20th July
1. 08.00 – Breakfast at Hotel Grand Barrail
2. 09.00 – Drive to Pauillac – left bank of Gironde (57 miles, 1.5 hours)
3. 10.45 – First tasting at Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron in Pauillac
4. 12.00 – Lunch in Pauillac at Restaurant le St Martin
5. 13.30 – Leave for Pessac Leognan, (41 miles, 1 hour)
6. 14.30 – Arrive at Chateau Bouscaut
7. 15.30 – Leave for last tasting in Sauternes (20 miles, 30 minutes)
8. 16.00 – Arrive at Chateau Suduiraut in Sauternes (Preignac)
9. 17.30 – 18.30 Drive to Hotel Grand Barrail, St Emilion – (30 miles, 51 minutes)
10. 19.30 – Drinks reception and gourmet dinner at Hotel Grand Barrail
Please see a selection of photos below. If you want to see the whole album, visit our facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/waudwineclub
The 2013 Tour du Vin is likely to be to the famous wine region of Languedoc in the very south of France.
