Oysters with Sauternes? Yes!
Oysters with Sauternes? Yes!
When Derek Smith, D-Day baby born of a French mother and American military officer, decided to buy Chateau de Rayne Vigneau in 2015 he only knew that Sauternes was drunk with foie gras. How wrong he was!
sOn a recent press visit to Chateau de Rayne I made the same discovery. After a 2 hour and 15 minute TGV to Bordeaux we changed to a local train for the 30 minute ride to Langon and were met by a driver for the 10 minute hop to the chateau. Originally purchaed in 1834 by Madame de Rayne, née Catherine du Pontac, its Sauternes received a Gold Medal at the 1867 Paris World's Fair.
Under the direction of winemaker Vincent Labergere, who bears a strog resemblance to Indiana Jones, it currently produces 200,000 bottles including Le Sec de Rayne Vigneau, a dry wine produced from a dedicated parcel of Sauvignon Blanc. A very drinkable start to our tasting but a mere hint of what was to come.
We began with a 2017 that was a bargain at 20 euros per bottle, continued with a 2010 and finished with my favorite, a 2003 at 40 euros that had a rich golden color and put me in mind of pineau de charente and vintage port.
Rather than seat us at along table, we assembled at upright cocktail tables and were served wine and an ongoing assortment of foie gras, grilled shrimp, spicy riz de veau and ending with a comté and a Forme d'Aubert bleu from Philippe Alléosse, 13 rue Poncelet, Paris 17eme,that all but melted on the sliced baguette. The secret–drops of Chateau de Rayne Vigneau are liberally sprinkled into the cheese as it steeps for several weeks.
Chateau Rayne Vigneau
If you are adventurous here are two tasting/tours you won't find anywhere else
"Tasting on a Tree Top" : 10 days prior booking is required, from 2 to 8 people
Supervised by a professional tree climber, you will be invited to climb up a rope to join the top of a two-hundred-year-old cedar tree. Once you have reached the suspended table, you will taste our 1st Grand Cru Classé in this ideal spot, facing the landscape made by the Sauternes vineyards and the Ciron valley.
Tasting paired with physical activity, please wear the appropriate clothing (pants and closed footwear).
Rates : 45€/pax.
"Discovering Rayne Vigneau terroir on horseback " : from 2 to 4 people (beyond, contact us)
Accompanied by a sport instructor, you will have a quiet walk through the wide vineyards of the Château de Rayne Vigneau and its environs. Then, a tour of the estate and the cellar that you will be offered followed by a tasting of our 3 wines.
This tasting paired with physical activity, please wear the appropriate clothing(pants and closed footwear).
Rates : 80€/pax.
Available every day except on Wednesdays and Saturdays
Reservations can be made 10 days in advance.
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