The normal routine for the barge trip is to have breakfast 8-9:30. Approximately 9:00 the barge starts on its daily journey along the canal. There are numerous locks along the way and some of the passengers will walk or bike the path along the canal from one lock to the next. Lunch is about 12:30 and then an afternoon excursion starting about 2:30.
Every lunch consists of two hot dishes, a quiche and some other dish. In addition there are at least 3 salads and of course 3 cheeses and 2 wines. I did a quick count and I think over the course of the trip, we tasted 28 cheeses and 21 wines That doesn't include what we had at the special dinner ashore.
I'm not going to try and name all the lunch items. I will, however, show the cheeses that we tried at each lunch and will also show a picture of the lunch items and the cheeses.
After lunch we embarked on our first tour. Today we visited Chateau Longecourt followed by a visit at the Clos de Vougeot vineyard. The chateau operates as a B&B with about 7 rooms. I didn't venture upstairs so I can't add anything for that part. Below are three pictures of the chateau and the guarding moat.
FIrst we inspected the vineyards and of course the grapes. We got a brief education about vineyards on the slope and those closer to the bottom of the growing fields Those nearer the top generally produce the better wine because of the drainage and other factors. Those grapes are just about ready for picking.
Next we went inside and it's no surprise I'm intrigued with the mechanical items.
Next we have Granny on the left next to the well and on the right in front of the cask of wine she is about to consume.
Below we have Matthew giving a brief explanation of the equipment and then on the right is one of the wine presses.
