Le Tour de France, Independence and July Wines!

BonJour!

The Tour de France begins on July 4th, 2009. The famous, 3200 kilometer grueling bicycle race goes on for 23 days through alps and ancient villages, along rivers and roadways touching into Spain, Switzerland and Italy. Take a quick peek at the course and F E E L the pain going through your quads, calves, hammies, abs, shoulders...

http://www.letour.fr/indexus.html

Do you think that the cyclists get to enjoy the views, or the flowers, or the magnificent chapels and cathedrals, or the vineyards, or the sights, sounds or fragrances of magnificent France? Do you think that they maybe yell to their teammates, "Wow, do you see that castle up there?" or "Oh my Gosh! look at those gardens!" Or "Hey! Let's stop for a Stella in the next town!" Do you think that they even notice that they are riding through the most picturesque places in the world?

I do feel that Lance Armstrong and all those who bicycle at the caliber of the Tour de France are the best athletes in the world. That statement was a bit subjective, I know, but come on! 3200 kilometers on a bicycle for 23 days..YIKES!

I do know for sure, if I was doing the Tour de France, I would start the event with a toast to America's Independence on the 4th with a nice glass of Champagne. I would stop every day for lunch in a little village and have some traditional faire and a glass or two of Rose. I would cycle on after lunch, getting in some good cardio, taking pictures of beautiful gardens or interesting shutters or narrow cobblestone streets. In the evening, I would love to find a quaint B & B (with internet), download my new pictures onto Facebook, shower and find some charming little restaurant for an evening meal and a fabulous bottle of wine from that particular region. . Relaxed and a bit tired and sore, I would then reminisce and compare all that I had seen d with all the other cyclists. A comfy featherbed would welcome me back to a dream filled sleep.

The next day, lattes, baguettes with delicious cheeses, yogurts with fresh fruit confit and chocolate croissants I would be ready to start the next day of cycling...It would take me a bit more than 23 days, but what a perfect "Tour de France! ...and you could follow my rides and adventures on Facebook!

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Happy 4th of July! We are blessed to have our freedom - our many freedoms! ..to vote, to express our thoughts (like in blogs, etc), to speak, of justice, of choice LIBERTY!

and, Happy Bastille Day on July 14th! We will celebrate this day, as well, with a 2007 Louie LaTour Ardeche Chardonnay, a 2007 Rose de Anjou from the Loire Valley and a Terlato-Chapoutier Shiraz-Viognier blend made in Australia by Terlato Winery with the added expertise of the Chapoutier family of winemakers from the Rhone region of France. I will find some cheeses, charcuterie and
other delicacies to pair with the wines. It will be a fun and delicious Fete!

Our other wines for July are as follows:
2007 Pinot Gris from Taz Winery Santa Barbara County
2008 Sauvignon Blanc from Clos la Chance Santa Cruz Mountains

2006 Schoolhouse Recess Red from Adelaida Cellars Paso Robles
this wine in a delish blend of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon
and Syrah.

2007 Acre Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast

I am not going to add MY descriptions of the wines, becuse as of today, July 1st, we will have a Petit Wine journal out every evening so that you, our guests, may tell us your opinions about the wines. We will also have out have our "Wine of the Month" binder with the actual tasting notes and winery information for you to peruse through, as well.

So to all, a joyous July, celebrating our independence and that of France, and a toast to all the cyclists hopefully enjoying France by bike :)

A sante,
Dianne

P.s. An idea closer to home! Plan your own cycling "Tour de SLO County"! San Luis Obispo County has beautiful wineries, rolling hills, gardens. shutters, a castle, missions, delightful restaurants and cafes and a most charming French Bed et breakfast with internet (eh-hem...!!!). Voila!