The last few weeks at the wine domaine, making wine, were spent in a relative relaxed atmosphere. All the grapes were processed and thus only the ferments needed to be monitored.The production of rose is reasonably straight forward, but it was a new experience again.
Then it was time to say goodbye to the Provence and my surgeon and physiotherapist there. They were both not 100% sure whether my hand would fully recover by just therapy but told me to give it another few weeks. So, I could do that while I was going to have a little 'holiday' before heading back home.
My first stop was in Narbonne where I was entertained and hosted by some great French (ex-) colleagues from my 2012 vintage in New Zealand. We had a nice evening out and the next day I was able to taste some of their 2012 wines in progress in their cellar. This was followed by an amazingly really French lunch - thank you so much guys!!! And surely would like to return to taste the final wines.
Then I went to Emporda (Catalunya) where I was very lucky to get introduced to two very interesting, but very different wineries, being *LaVinyeta, see: http://www.lavinyeta.es/ The owner/winemaker did a great effort to show me the vineyards, the winery and most importantly the wines. Although it is a modern facility, the wines are clearly 'old world' style and a real pleasure to taste. The other winery was Gelama, see http://www.gelama.cat/en/emporda-cellar.html. A very small, old-style facility where the young winemaker is experimenting with small batches to get wines of stunning quality. To finish this his mother offered us Manchego with grape-marmelade which was a very special combination that even I, who normally will not eat cheese, could appreciate. Apart from tasting wine I spent time with my great hosts in the region and visited numerous places, like the Dali Museum in Figueres, the great restaurant of Cap de Reus and the very beautiful touristy route getting there - awesome. Also visited places where Dali lived. Then we visited Girona - a marvellous old city where we walked along the old city wall and strolled through the little streets and enjoyed drinks at a terrace at night. I could have stayed in Catalunya for much longer, because I really enjoyed the place!! The best thing about this stay were the lovely people I met!!
My great hosts - Anna, Anna, Eva and Gemma - in front of Casa de Dali in Port Lligat.
On the way to Cap de Reus
The real Paella in Cap de Reus
Statue of Salvador Dali in Cadaques
From here I traveled to central France to visit one of the latest Dutch immigrants there. The trip over the Central Massive in France was amazingly beautiful with all the autumn colors. And it was a shame I could not stop to make pictures, but it was a very enjoyable trip. However, as soon as I got off the highway the fog set in and I was wondering whether I would reach my destination for that day. Luckily, I had a GPS in my car, that can bring me anywhere and after nearly getting lost in the forest, I managed to reach their house. It is a beautiful spot, very tranquile and pleasant. And as always - it doesn't matter how long you haven't seen friends, you just pick up where you left the last time you met - thanks for the hospitality guys and all the best with setting down!
My last part of the journey was Holland of course where I spend time with my family and visited some friends.
The city of Delft, Holland
Multi-level parking
Stupid tourist.......
....... and of course more........
My mum's at her 82nd birthday party
Then it was time to go home - driving my temporary car to Paris and getting ready for the long flight back home. On Auckland Airport I was happy enough to meet one of my friends there and have a pleasant catch-up before going on the last leg of the journey. First thing I saw of Blenheim were the vineyards that were already green, green, green - and I realised that another vintage is on the horizon!!
Happy to be home and enjoying the Marlborough spring!
Love,
Anita
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