Chateau gazing in the Loire Valley

Michael and I rented a funny little car and headed to the Loire Valley.  For a couple days we roamed the countryside gazing at chateaus, vineyards and idealic French Villages. 
Our first find was the  grand royal Chateau de Chambord and is the largest in the Loire Valley. It is also the most recognized over the world because of its distinct French Renaiassance architecture.   Constructed by King Francois I in the 16th century to be his hunting lodge and partly to be (close to his mistress) Comtesse de Thoury.  Wow!
Our next stop, though  not as grand but full of history was Clos Luce in Amboise.  The chateau was built in the 1400's on a 12th century foundation and was the final home of the great painter and inventor Leonardo da Vinci.  He arrived in Amboise in 1510 by mule and was carring in his saddlebags the paintings of the Mona Lisa and Saint John the Baptist, which are now a permanant collection in the Lourve, Paris.  He died in 1519.
After a little more roaming around, we found ourselves a 12th century Abbaye to spend the night.  Pretty fitting for a day filled with history. 

Chateau de Chambord

House of Chambord Liqour and a little village.

another little castle

Clos Luce, Leonardo da Vinci home.

Town of Amboise, royal residence of King Francois I.

Le Grand Hotel de l'Abbaye

"Queen size chair" and exterior view of Abbaye.

Terrace view.

Castles, Chateaus and Vineyards

Bonjour!
Out castle viewing in the Loire Valley and Champagne.  Stay tuned for  more. 

Headed back to Paris....

Thought I would post a few more photo's from Piedmonte.  It was just so beautiful.  There was a bit of that dreamy fog hanging over the Valley on the morning Michael and I left.  Just couldn't resist  a few more pictures, or a taste of Piedmonte wine for that matter.  We did two quick tastings,  one at Moccagatta in Barbaresco and the other, Malvira in Roero.  Moccagatta is one of the area's oldest wineries and Malvira is one of the larger producers of Nebbiolo.  At the Moccagatta winery the owner poured a very special 1990 reserva for us.  It looked like a port but tasted like a fine aged Barbaresco.  Molto Benne!
Back to Paris we go....

lemons and pomegranites.

Moccagatta owner.

Tasting at Malvira.

Back in Paris, on to the market and an evening stroll. 

We headed to the open air market at La Bastille.  Right away Michael spotted the famous French  chicken, (Poulet de Bresse).  It is characterized by the red head(comb), white feathers and blue feet which are so admired by the French as it represents the red, white and blue of their flag (tricolor).   The feet  are usually left on after cooking for presentation.

La Bastille Market

Poulet de Bresse

Our 4 story walk up.  Headed out for an evening stroll in front of the Notre Dame.

Paris at night.

And the fun in Piedmonte continues.

After a scenic drive over to Barolo it's time for lunch!  We found this great little spot and indulge in more delicious wines and white truffles.  The world renown white truffles, (called tartufi d' Alba), are unique to Piedmonte.  Formaly found using special truffle hunting pigs, dogs are more common today as they are less likely to devour the precious fungi. The white truffle festival, happening now, is celebrated in restaurants throughout the region.  White truffles have a pungent earthy aroma but with a mild flavor.  The smell of the truffles fill the local restaurants as they are being shaved at the table on almost every dish.  And we all enjoyed a shaving of our own.

Barolo countyside

Fun in Piedmonte

Fall in the vineyard

Lunch in Barolo

tartufi d' Alba

Shaving of the truffle.

Steak Tartar and Sage and Butter Ravioli with white truffles.

Romantic Barolo.

Just a little more wine tasting.

Old grape hauling wagon and The LeClerc's.

A big Thank You to Marion and Sam for a fabulous weekend in Piedmonte.  Salute!

Barolo, Birthday and Tartufi Bianco

We spent two great days in Peidmont, Italy with our friends Sammy Como and Marion (from Lake Como).  It was Sam's big 50th birthday celebration. We all met at the beautiful Villa D' Amelia  www.villadamelia.com  in Benevello and we were off and running.  A lunch was hosted at a Tratorria, Antica Torre in Barbaresco, by local winemakers and friends.  What a treat.  Wines from the nearby Pellissero Vineyards were featured and handmade and cut pasta was served.  We then made our way over to Pellissero for a private wine tasting and tour of the cellars.  As if that wasn't enough, we had dinner a the Michelin starred restaurant La Ciau del Tornavento in Treiso.  It was a fabulous chef's tasting menu, which of course, included the famous white truffles of Alba. Delicious! On to Barolo...... To be continued.

Villa D' Amilia

Barbaresco!

A Little Italian Lunch.

Oh, the Italians...

Due Amici

Pelissero Vineyards

View from tasting room.

Hanging in the cellar.

Prosseco for birthday boy!

La Ciau del Tornavento

Amuse bouche

Fresh egg with Tartufi Bianco

Chef Maurilio carving bone in ribeye

Let's eat!

Birthday Boy!

Having fun at the tasting.