<b><font color = red >VIINIMATKA <font color= blue >NR 2 BORDEAUX </b>

Viinin ystäville tarkoitettu matka.

TRAVEL
TO BORDEAUX AND COGNAC

29/09/06 TO 8/10/06

DAY 1 – 29/09/06

1) Helsinki to Cologne

(1) Departure time 14:35
(2) Arrival Time 16:05

2) Cologne to Paris

(1) Departure time 19:15
(2) Arrival time 20:20

3) Paris to Chartres

(1) Departure time from Paris 21:30
(2) Arrival time in Chartres 23:00

DAY 2 – 30/09/06

4) Chartres
(1) Presentation of Chartres :
1. History :

Chartres was one of the principal towns of the Carnutes, and by the Romans was called Autricum, from the river Autura (Eure), and afterwards civitas Carnutum. It was burnt by the Normans in 858, and unsuccessfully besieged by them in 911.
In 1417 it fell into the hands of the English, from whom it was recovered in 1432. It was attacked unsuccessfully by the Protestants in 1568, and was taken in 1591 by Henry IV, who was crowned there three years afterwards.In the Franco-Prussian War it was seized by the Germans on October 2, 1870, and continued during the rest of the Campaign an important centre of operations.

During the Middle Ages it was the chief town of the district of Beauce, and gave its name to a countship which was held by the counts of Blois and Champagne and afterwards by the house of Chatillon, a member of which in 1286 sold it to the crown. It was raised to the rank of a duchy in 1528 by Francis I. After the time of Louis XIV the title of duke of Chartres was hereditary in the family of Orleans.

2. What see ?: The Cathedral

Construction of a new building on the Romanesque foundations was begun in 1145, but a fire in 1194 destroyed all but the west front of the cathedral (and much of the town), so that part is in the "early Gothic" style. The body of the cathedral was rebuilt between 1194 and 1220, a remarkably short span for medieval cathedrals. It has a ground area of 117058 square feet.
According to legend, since 876 the Cathedral has housed a tunic that had belonged to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Sancta Camisia. The relic had supposedly been given to the Cathedral by Charlemagne who received it as a gift during a crusade in Jerusalem. In fact, the relic was a gift from Charles the Bald and it has been asserted that the fabric came from Syria and that it had been woven during the first century AD. For hundreds of years, Chartres has been a very important Marian pilgrimage center and today the faithful still come from the world over to honour the relic.
The cathedral was added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1979.
To see more : http://www.romanes.com/Chartres/

5) Chartes to Tours

(1) Departure time 09:00
(2) Arrival time 11:00

6) Tours

(1) Presentation of Tours :
1. History :
The name of the city comes from the ancient Gallic tribe called the Turones. In Roman times it was known as Turonensis. The modern name, Tours, coincidentally corresponds to the French word tours, "towers". In the mid-3rd century Gatianus (Saint Gatien) was sent from Rome to reorganize a small Christian community. Saint Martin of Tours was bishop of Tours at the end of the 4th century, and his tomb became a major pilgrimage site; the church of Saint-Martin was one of the great Romanesque pilgrimage churches, like Saint-Sernin in Toulouse and Santiago de Compostela, and the powerful bishops of Tours, such as Gregory of Tours, were personages to be reckoned with for the Merovingian kings.
The Council of Tours was celebrated here in 567.
The Battle of Tours was fought on October 10, 732 between forces under the Frankish leader Charles Martel and an Islamic force led by Emir Abdul Rahman al-Ghafiq. The Franks soundly defeated the Islamic army and stopped the northward invading advance of Islam from its then base in Spain.
The Touraine was a county at the time of the Carolingian rulers (751 to 987 CE). The Vikings pillaged the town in 853 and 903. By 1044 it was held by the counts of Anjou. During the reign of Philip II, the Livre Tournois (Tours Pound) was adopted as the international currency of France.
To see more of Tours buldings : http://france.archiseek.com/indre_et_loire/tours

2. What know?: The purest French …

The inhabitants of Tours (Tourangeaux) are renowned for speaking the purest form of French in the entire country. The pronunciation of Touraine is widely regarded as the most perfect pronunciation of the French language, devoid of any accent (in opposition to most other regions of France, including Paris).

(2) Visit of a fiel of Tours or a « Château de la Loire »

7) Tours to Cognac

(1) Departure time 16:00
(2) Arrival time 18:30

8) Cognac

(1) Presentation of Cognac :
1. History :
Unknown prior to the 9th century, the town was subsequently fortified. During the Hundred Years' War, the town changed sides on several occasions as the result of fighting and treaties in the region.
Francis I granted the town the right to trade salt along the river, guaranteeing strong commercial success, which in turn led to the town's development as a centre of wine and later brandy.

To know more: http://www.ville-cognac.fr/article.php3?id_article=565

2. What is Cognac?

Cognac, named after the town of Cognac in France, is a brandy, which is produced in the region surrounding the town. It must be made from at least 90 percent Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, or Colombard grapes. The rest of the cognac can consist of ten selected grapes. However, most cognac is made from Ugni Blanc only. It must be distilled twice in copper pot stills and aged at least 2 1/2 in oak barrels in order to be called cognac. A related drink produced in another region is Armagnac.

Cognac is made from eaux-de-vie (literally, "water of life") produced by doubly distilling the white wines produced in any of the growth areas. The wine is a very dry, acidic, thin wine, not really suitable for drinking, but excellent for distillation. It may only be made from a strict list of grape varieties. Distillation takes place in traditionally shaped Charentais copper stills, the design and dimensions of which are also controlled. Two distillations must be carried out; the resulting eau-de-vie is a colourless spirit of about 70 percent alcohol.

Cognac may not be sold to the public, or indeed called 'Cognac' until it has been aged for at least two years, counting from the end of the period of distillation (1 April following the year the grapes were harvested).
During the aging, a large percentage of the alcohol (and water) in the eaux-de-vie evaporates through the porous oak barrels. This is termed locally the "part des anges", or angels' share, a phrase also used in Scotch Whisky production. A black fungus, Torula compniacensis richon, thrives on the alcoholic vapours and normally grows on the walls of the aging cellars.
The final product is diluted to 40 percent alcohol content (80 proof).
The age of the cognac is shown as that of the youngest eau-de-vie used in the blend. The blend is usually of different ages and from different local areas. This blending, or marriage, of different eaux-de-vie is important to obtain a complexity of flavours absent from an eau-de-vie from a single distillery or vineyard. Each cognac house has a master taster (maître de chai) who is responsible for creating this delicate blend of spirits, so that the cognac produced by a company today will taste exactly the same as a cognac produced by that same company 50 years ago, or in 50 years' time. In this respect it may be seen to be similar to a blended whisky or non-vintage Champagne, which also rely on blending to achieve a consistent brand flavour.

(2) Visit of Cognac City

DAY 3 – 01/10/06

(3) Visit of a Cognac field and tasting

9) Cognac to Blaye

(1) Departure time 12:00
(2) Arrival time 13:30

10) Blaye

(1) Presentation of Blaye :

1. History :

In ancient times Blaye (Blavia) was a port of the Santones. Tradition states that the hero Roland was buried in its basilica, which was on the site of the citadel. It was early an important stronghold which played an important part in the wars against the English (who burnt it in 1352) and the Religious Wars. The duchess of Berry was imprisoned in its fortress in 1832-1833.
The town was formerly named Blaye-et-Sainte-Luce and was renamed Blaye on June, 1961.

2. What see ?: The Citadel

The town has a citadel built by Vauban on a rock beside the river, and embracing in its enceinte ruins of an old Gothic château. The latter contains the tomb of Charibert II, king of Aquitaine, and son of Clotaire II. Blaye is also defended by the Fort Paté on an island in the river and the Fort Médoc on its left bank, both of the 17th century.

DAY 4 – 02/10/06

11) Blaye to Mazion

(1) Departure time 08:30
(2) Arrival time 09:00

(3) Visit of Chateau les Alberts and tasting

Quality and Tradition

Château "les Albert" is situated 50 kms (or 75 miles) north of de Bordeaux.
"Les Alberts" is classified since 1875, and its wines are reputed and appreciated in many countries.

They always keep traditional methods : the weeding is not chemical and "ageing vines" selection has a handpicking harvest.Mastering the yield, thinning out the leaves and well controlled vinifications gives to our wines a very best quality.

Grape Varieties
Red Wines : Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc.
White Wines : Semillon, Sauvignon.

Quality Wines

Château "les Alberts"

Premières Côtes de Blaye : It is a selection of very ageing vines, between 40 and 60 year-old, the harvest is handpicking and they mature in oak barrels during one year.

Red Bordeaux : It is a blend of oher young plots. The vines are about 20 year-old.

They also vinify a Bordeaux Rose and a Bordeaux Dry White Wine.

12) Mazion to Billaux

(1) Departure time 12:30
(2) Arrival time 13:00

(3) Visit of a field and tasting

13) Billaux to Pomerol

(1) Departure time 15:45
(2) Arrival time 16:00

(3) Visit of a field and tasting

(4) What is Pomerol?:

With 800 ha (less than 2,000 acres) Pomerol is the smallest wine producing area in the Bordeaux region. Actually, Pomerol is more a community where the vineyards are family-shared. A ranking is not warmly welcome. You will not find typical huge Bordeaux chateaux as in the Médoc area. However Pomerol hosts one of the most famous of all: Pétrus
The Pomerol wine can be more robust than others in Bordeaux. They have an exclusive velvety quality. Pomerol is at its very best when the bottle reaches the age of 15!

14) Pomerol to Lussac

(1) Departure time 18:15
(2) Arrival time 18:30

DAY 5 – 03/10/06

15) Lussac to St Emilion

(1) Departure time 08:45
(2) Arrival time 08:55

16) St Emilion

(1) Presentation of St Emilion
1. History:
1199 was undoubtely a crucial date for the city of ST. EMILION. But one should not deduced that fast that it was born from only one blow of rod of the famous enacted Cliff charter on July 8 by John without Ground, duke of Aquitaine, England's King in the first year of his reign..

The site of this place almost predestined by geology and the climate intended it to be used since the starting of the Humanity - since its ground returned at the day of the tools of all the times of the Prehistory - which prestigious vestiges Gallo-Roman and the tradition - already at the Medieval Age - equipped with a busy frequentation at that time, that the first centuries of Christianity attracted there monasteries and the Breton Hermit which bequeathed his saint name to him before the surge of the sarrasines hordes and Normans who left the places devastated between laic and avid hands of the Viscounts Olivier and Pierre-de-Castillon.
It is thus primarily since the end of the 11th century and the first half of the following one that parallel to the development of the powerful monastery of the College of the Canons of Saint-Augustin and under his assistance and protection was formed a laic group - with the hollow of the small valley and the side of cliff - around the old monastery of the Saint Émilion Hermit - Moustier Vieux, given up, in one century approximately, composed of "middle-class men" undertaking and courageous - who decided to protect their "borough " from solids walls of enclosure with doors and towers extracted the careers from the place-even - to withdraw itself from any attempt - and even from that insidious of, it is thus quite naturally that at the end of the 12th century, it was indicated with the interest of Jean without Ground in his vast movement of creation of the Communes.
John without Ground - badly name King of the legend - jealous brother of Richard Lion Heart - the Cross one - successor with the throne of England and the duchy of Aquitaine of his father Henry and his mother, Aliénor-. As of the death of Richard in Chalus in 1199, it sought to strengthen its legitimacy and its power while being based precisely on these groupings of citizens who represented the economic and military power of the country. It put in the train its famous charter of the Communes which by attaching them to the crown, offered to them in exchange a "republican " independence to live and to develop according to their "free habits and practices" in conformity with the needs of that time. It is with eagerness that these new "communes" accepted this pact of equality and protection, guarantee of a happy becoming. July 8th, 1199 John without Ground, the first year of its reign, thus recognized in this young city which had been built itself the merit to enter this large " army " of the free communes which made the support of the English crown and the richness of the medieval Aquitaine. In the charter, " it recognize and confirm with its expensive and faithful middle-class men of " Semelion which they have a " commune " already formed, by itself, with all freedoms and free habits belonging to any commune ".

Thus, after more than one century of already active life and independent adolescence, the town of SAINT-EMILION obtained its patent of maturity and its departure for a great future, leaving only Bordeaux as higher. Whereas our municipal files have all the successive charters granted by all the kings of England and France until the absolutism of Louis the 14th, this invaluable official birth certificate of our city is unfortunately not in our possession. It was never possible to find its trace neither in England nor in France. Fortunately, we know it by what one calls it a " Vidimus " be-with-statement - under the guarantee of a royal notary - the transcription of his text beside the text of a posterior charter - that of Henri the 3rd confirming it in 1340-. By chance, the text even is completely reproduced in its original Latin. Thereafter, all the successive charters will confirm this first - essentially - for obviously with the needs for the History, of the modifications were imposed there - by all the kings following one another - according to the growth and of the consolidation of the royal capacity until the total dependence. Let us see which were these freedoms and these habits in a commune of 12th century. In fact, independence, total freedom of proper political and economic, high administration and low justice, levying of the local duties and taxes, lifting and maintenance of a militia.

2. What see ?: Some pictures of the city

(2) Visit of two St Emilion field and tasting

17) St Emilion to Bordeaux

(1) Departure time 19:00
(2) Arrival time 19:45

DAY 6 – 04/10/06

18) Bordeaux

(1) Presentation of Bordeaux
1. History :

For the ecclesiastcial history, see Archbishopric of Bordeaux
Bordeaux was founded around 300 BC by a Celtic tribe, the Biturige Vivisci, who named the town Burdigala. The city fell under Roman rule around 60 BC.
The city was plundered by the troops of Abd er Rahman in 732, after he had defeated Duke Eudes and before he was killed during the Battle of Tours on October 10. It was later plundered by the Vikings.
From the 12th to the 15th century, Bordeaux was part of the English realm, following the marriage of Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine with the French-speaking Count Henri Plantagenet, born in Le Mans, who became, within months of their wedding, King Henry II of England.
The 18th century was its golden age, because of the wine trade with the British Isles and Germany and the trades with the West Indies. Many downtown buildings (about 5,000), including those on the quays are from this period. Victor Hugo found the town so beautiful he once said: " take Versailles, add Antwerp, and you have Bordeaux". Baron Haussmann, a long time prefect of Bordeaux, used Bordeaux' 18th century big scale rebuilding as a model when he was asked by Emperor Napoleon III to transform a then still quasi-medieval Paris into a "modern" capital that would make France proud.
The French government withdrew to the city during the wars of 1870, World War I and World War II.

2. what see ?: City of Art and History

Bordeaux is classified "City of Art and History". The city is candidate for being included in the UNESCO world heritage list.
An architectural jewel
Bordeaux is home to one of Europe's biggest 18th century architectural urban areas, making it a sought-after destination for tourists and cinema production crews. It stands out as one of the first French cities, after Nancy, to have entered an era of urbanism and metropolitan big scale projects, with the team Gabriel father and son, architects for King Louis XV, under the supervision of 2 intendants (Governors), first Mr. Dupre de Saint Maur then the Marquis (Marquess) de Tourny.

Some pictures of Landmarks and Monuments :

Esplanade des Quinconces Grand Théâtre Allées de Tourny

19) Bordeaux to Rions

(1) Departure time 08:20
(2) Arrival time 09:00

(3) Visit of Chateau Carssin and tasting

Château Carsin was purchased by Finnish wine enthusiasts in early 1990. At the time, they did not have much experience either in making wine or selling it. They felt that copying the local approach would not have been very successful in the midst of 20,000 other Bordeaux producers ... Since then the number of Bordeaux producers has fallen to about 11,000. As in so many other European wine regions, the Bordelais put great emphasis on tradition. Wine is an integral part of their culture. The importance of "typicity" and "terroir" (soil + microclimate) are very evident in Bordeaux.
They had to find a different approach. When they purchased Château Carsin, New World wines (from Australia, New Zealand, California etc.) were becoming strong in the markets they were targeting. they established contacts with Australian winery engineers, which opened up a whole range of possibilities. For the 1991 vintage, a totally modern winery was ordered from A & G Engineering, a leading Australian supplier. It was designed to employ the modern winemaking techniques of Brian Croser at Petaluma Winery near Adelaide.

20) Rions to Cadillac

(1) Departure time 11:00
(2) Arrival time 11:10

(3) Visit of Chateau du Juge and tasting

Vines have been cultivated on this spot for hundreds of years. The name “Juge” reputedly comes from the Latin term “Jugeare”, which means both a “measure of work” and a “fiscal unit” used to calculate the tax on the harvest .
In 1880, Camille Mathellot, a brilliant mind, and co-founder of the Cadillac Viticultural School, decided to purchase the “small-holding” of the Juge, and its vineyards.
The phylloxera crisis of 1870 had come and gone, and although it was still talked about in the Languedoc region, few thought it could come to attack the prestigious vineyards of Bordeaux, which were enjoying a considerable boom, after the crisis of the 1850’s.
Fortunately, phylloxera did not like the damp, and this gave sufficient respite to the local winegrowers to contain the spread of the disease, notably by the use of the “Cadillac shield graft”. As we know, the plague was finally overcome by grafting Bordeaux varietal vines on to American phylloxera-resistant stock.
Camille Mathellot then undertook to build the foundations that still define the Château du Juge today. Between 1880-90, the vineyards were regrouped in one single block, drainage ditches were dug and the vines were replanted. In 1890, Camille Matellot built the château itself, and later saw his work of improving the plantations and the winemaking rewarded with the Gold Medal at the Agricultural Competition in Paris in 1898.
Camille Mathellot was a man in advance of his time, and, having the necessary financial means, build the winery in 1907, where he installed an electric generator, and the very first hydraulic press in the region. His work is the foundation of the Château du Juge that can be visited today

21) Cadillac to Sauternes

(1) Departure time 14:00
(2) Arrival time 14:20

(3) Visit of a Sauterne field and tasting

(4) What is Sauternes? :
Sauternes is a type of dessert wine from the Sauternais region of the Graves section in the well known Bordeaux wine making area of France. Sauternes is made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes that have been affected by Botrytis cinerea, also known as noble rot. This causes grapes to become partially raisined, resulting in extremely concentrated and distinctively flavored wines, typically with an arresting golden color. Sauternes is one of the few wine regions where infection with noble rot is a frequent occurrence, due to its mesoclimate. Even so, production is a hit-or-miss proposition, with widely varying harvests from year to year.
Wines from Sauternes, especially its flagship estate Château d'Yquem, can be very expensive, due largely to the very high cost of production. Barsac lies within Sauternes, and is entitled to use either name. Somewhat similar but less expensive and typically less-distinguished wines are produced in the neighboring regions of Monbazillac, Cérons, Loupiac and Cadillac.
Note that lower quality dessert wines, primarily American, are occasionally labeled as 'sauterne'.

22) Sauternes to St Estephe

(1) Departure time 18:00
(2) Arrival time 19:30

DAY 7 – 05/10/06
23) St Estephe

(1) Visit of a St Estephe field and tasting

24) St Estephe to Paulliac

(1) Departure time 11:10
(2) Arrival time 11:30

(3) Visit of a Paulliac field and tasting

25) Paulliac to Margaux

(1) Departure time 15:00
(2) Arrival time 15:15

(3) Visit of Margaux field and tasting

26) Margaux to Bordeaux

(1) Departure time 18:00
(2) Arrival time 18:30

DAY 8 – 06/10/06

27) Bordeaux to Paris

(1) Departure time 10:00
(2) Arrival time 19:00
(3) Two break of 2 hours

28) Paris

(1) Bal du Moulin Rouge 22:45

1. History :

As soon as the Moulin Rouge opened in 1889, various shows were created : the Quadrille, which later turned into the French Cancan, with La Goulue and Valentin le Désossé, the 'Great Nights' - with the dstage debut of the Petoman (fartman). The first revues changed at an unbelievable pace and gave the spectators intensive joy and pleasure. Three revues a year, one revue per year, one revue every two years... that depends on 'l'air du Temps' !

1894-1902 The time of the 'Redoutes'
'La Fête Galante',' Mars and Venus', 'Coquin de Printemps', 'Au Harem'... all of these titles which represent many many pleasant hours for the spectators, be it in the garden of the Moulin Rouge, or by an interest in the Quadrille dancers.

1903 When Operetta was born...
Pierre-Louis Flers offered a new kind of show : the Operetta. Then 'La Belle de New-York', 'Voluptata', 'Offenbach Revue', 'The Toreador'... followed one after the other, and welcomed high society from Paris, London and New-York.

1906 Scandal or Literature ?
In 'Rêve d'Egypte', far from guessing that one day she would become the President of the Goncourt Academy, Colette kissed with languish a women who played the role of a man on the stage of the Moulin Rouge...

2. Show Féerie 23:00

½ Half bottle of champagne included .

DAY 9– 07/10/06

(2) Visit of Paris
(3) Visit of the Vin’s Museum or The Institute of Vin

29) Paris to Cologne

(1) Departure time 20:50
(2) Arrival time 22:05

DAY 10– 08/10/06

30) Cologne to Helinski

(1) Departure time 10:45
(2) Arrival time 14:05

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

VGsm:+358 5051 44003
Contact@viiniportaali.com

The text and the pictures come from:
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accueil
The web site of the office tourisme of the city
The web site of the field: http://chateau.du.juge.free.fr/ , http://www.chateau-les-alberts.com/ …

Golfareille 4-6 kierroksia varattu aika.

Deadline 29.7 : varaus 100 €
Maksu on sitova lentolippujen varaamisen takia.

23.8 : ensimainen maksu 430 €
23.9 : Loppusuoritus 300 €

-Grain Noble-

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