Day
1 You arrive at Bordeaux Mérignac airport where
you will be met by James. From here a short fifteen minute
drive will bring us to La Leotardie which is a beautiful and
very comfortable eighteenth century chateau. It sits within
lovely lush Dordogne settings and we will spend the first
two nights here. The rooms are full of character and all have
their own bathrooms with shower and w.c. Dinner will be with
James and Diana and we will start drinking our carefully selected
wines.
Day
2 Your first full French breakfast and then we set off
for the morning market in the small medieval town of Issigeac.
A wonderful way of getting straight out and into French culture.
From there we will go by car to Chateau Belingard for the
first of one of Diana's delicious picnic lunches. Chateau
Belingard belongs to Comte de Bosredon and has wonderful views
over the Bergerac vineyards. From here we can see where the
Hundred Years War started and finished. They make several
marvellous wines which we will taste over lunch (red and white
Bergeracs and the Comte's favourite; his Monbazillac) and
then a visit to the chais followed by a much needed walk through
the vines on a circuitous route that will bring us back to
the chateau. Return by car to La Leotardie. 5 miles.
Day
3 In the morning we start off by car towards the vineyards
of Cahors and the Quercy Blanc. Drop off for a walk to the
beautiful bastide of Monpazier where we will have lunch in
the Place des Cornières. Monpazier is probably the
most perfect bastide existing and was founded in 1282 by Edward
the 1st. After lunch we shall continue by car to the small
Domaine d'Ardailloux. in the Bouriane. A charming domaine
of rolling vineyards where in the sideritic soil we see Burgundian
grape types being planted. As well as Gamay and his award
winning Chardonnay, an interesting sweet white wine from late
picked sauvignon grapes is produced here. We continue by car
to the charming restored manor house of Le Vert where we will
have tea on the terrace. You spend the next two nights here.
All bedrooms are extremely comfortable and have bathrooms
en suite. 5 miles.
Day
4 We set off by car towards the terraces of vineyards.
A leisurely walk through the vineyards where the famous black
wine of Cahors is produced. We will pass by several of the
more important Cahors chateaux today including Triguedina,
Cèdre and Gaudou and where we will visit the two former.
We lunch in the delightful 'La Terrace' at Grezels where Monsieur
Lasfargues pours out the wine in plenty and frowns when you
ask for water. We then set off for a walk through the Quecy
Blanc to the small Domaine du Garinet to see how the English
are faring at the winemaking trade. This will be an interesting
comparison to Thursday's visit. On by foot to Saint Matré
before returning by car to Le Vert. Time to swim, paint, relax
before dinner. 9 miles.
Day
5 After a delicious breakfast we move off by car returning
to Saint Matré. A good four hour morning walk will
take us through rolling pastures and oak woods full of the
song of Blackcaps and other warblers, larks etc. We will arrive
at Chateau Figeac, near Montcuq, to be greeted by Diana and
a table laden with local produce but before lunch there will
be a wine tasting with Minette Constant, Master of Wine where
we will concentrate on wines from the South West. After lunch
we will return for a long drive back to La Leotardie. Time
to relax in a hot bath before dinner cooked by the French
chef Bernadette.. 7 miles.
Day
6 A short drive to take you to the vineyards of the Saussignac
and Monbazillac appellations. These lie directly south and
south west of Bergerac. The interest here will be the difference
between the two neighbours. Saussignac is a delicious sweet
white not as luscious as Monbazillac but it can have better
acidity. We will first visit the very unassuming property
of Luc de Conti: 'Tour des Gendres' which produces probably
the best red and white from Bergerac: Anthologia. Then on
to walk from Clos d'Yvigne to Chateau Richard for a picnic
lunch with Richard Doughty the viniculteur. His wine has been
compared to Climens and Rieussec! After lunch we continue
to Miaudoux and Saussignac itself before visiting the grand
Chateau Monbazillac for a guided tour. A night out on the
town to see and taste the delights that Bergerac has to offer
at a wonderful fish restaurant. 5 miles.
Day
7 We leave La Leotardie by car aiming towards the first
of the mornings visits to the tiny appellation of Rosette
where we will meet 'les frères' Benard for discussion
and tastings. The other vineyard that we will visit before
lunch will be Chateau Tiregand of the famous de Saint Exupery
family where we will be received by the Count. This is a big
affair and they lay claim to being in the top three Pécharmants
of the area. It is indeed a lovely wine which we will taste
and discuss. We will return to La Leotardie for the last of
Diana's sumptuous picnics and time to relax in the afternoon
with a voluntary walk to Saint Georges du Monclard. (optional
5 miles)
Day
8 Return to Bergerac for flight departure.
NOTE:
Itinerary subject to change according to local conditions.
All mileages shown are approximate