Viking Traveller 2nd Issue

TRAVEL
Our itinerary reads like a wine list. Pauillac, Margaux,
Saint-Émilion, Sauternes—deliciously evocative
names guaranteed to whet the appetite for
exploring the world’s largest fine wine region. It’s seasoned
with places well known for their gastronomic treasures too,
including Périgord for truffles and Arcachon for oysters. If
you haven’t acquired it already, you can expect to develop a
taste for the good life on this river cruise.
It also offers a journey of geographic contrasts, as we’re sailing
along the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers, and the Gironde, the
vast estuary where freshwater flows to meet the Atlantic’s saltwater.
Bordeaux itself is very impressive. Its historic centre, the
Port of the Moon, so called because of the crescent-shaped
curve the Garonne executes at this point, is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. It’s worth strolling along the quay to
the Esplanade des Quinconces, where there are trees planted
in groups of five, in the same pattern as appears on a playing
card or on the five-side of dice. Farther along the quay you
arrive at the breathtakingly beautiful Place de la Bourse,
a majestic ensemble of 18th-century architecture that is
reflected in the ingenious Miroir d’Eau.
Elegant Pont de Pierre is a must-see, particularly at night when
it’s illuminated by graceful street lights. Napoleon himself
ordered its construction (there are 17 arches, one for every letter
in his name) but by the time the bridge was completed in 1822,
he had died in exile and the monarchy had been restored.
Of course, our cruise includes many opportunities to learn
about and taste wines: on board, in Pauillac, where some of
the best Bordeaux wines including Châteaux Latour, Lafite
Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild are produced; in Margaux,
where you’re wined and dined at Château Kirwan; in the
Sauternes region, best known for its sweet wines; and on an
optional home-hosted visit to Château Siaurac, near Saint-
Émilion, where a light lunch is also served.
If you fancy sampling something a little stronger than wine,
you can also take an optional excursion to Cognac.
Thrillingly, we’re given the opportunity to create our “own label,”
by blending several brandies from different vintages, carefully
measured out for us by distillery staff. This we number, date
and—bursting with pride—sign as Master Blender. Each bottle
is then corked, sealed and packed in its own little wooden crate.
Then comes the hard part: not tasting it for three months.
X Images clockwise: Circular barrel aging cellar; Medieval
gate in Bordeaux, France; Grapes in Bordeaux, France
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