We set out this morning in a driving rain to head to Cognac for a 2:00 appointment at Remy Martin. The plan was to take the scenic back roads through little villages but it rained so hard, I was fearful of flooding in low areas. In fact, people were killed by the storm in Burgundy and we saw one significant accident on the autoroute. It was a slow go even on the autoroute but we made it. The distillery tour was just OK but, the tasting at the end brightened the entire day. And how about those Frenchies?? They don't seem to publicize the fact that their revered Cognac is made from Italian grapes; Trebbiano to be exact, however they trick us by calling them Ugni Blanc when they plant them in France. You can't trust anyone!
Tonight we are staying at the other end of the accommodation spectrum, in an old farm estate dating back to 1715. It is located in the midst of vineyards growing those secret Italian grapes and, all the approach roads are a single lane wide. To say that this place is serene and out of the way is an understatement. We met the owner as we drove in the long drive, with a shotgun slung over his shoulder and his two spaniels ready for the hunt. Dinner maybe? The owners have done a wonderful job of restoring this old property, yet adding all the modern conveniences. Very comfortable.
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