I spent a glorious week in the Languedoc region of France at the end of May. Here are more of my daily adventures. And YES you can find these wines in the Indy area.

Next stop, Chateau Sainte Eulalie (OO-La-Lee) and the wines were oo-la-la.

Another husband wife team on gorgeous property making delightfully rich, complex wines. We tasted 5 plus 3 barrel samples. My fave:

2001 Chateau Sainte Eulalie "Prestige"- syrah, grenach, picanel) round with red fruit and soft spicey smokey finish. Another great wine for BBQ or steak or pork.

Back in the car and off to the Mediterranean seaside to meet the winemaker, sales manager and owner of Chateau des Karantes. But first-- how about a beer? We met the three gentleman at a waterside bistro where 6 quaffed beers, one sipped a Suza and I had a glass of the fresh dry house white for 1.50 euro (about $3 US)

Great conversation and celebration as the Chateau had just won a major award from the classy UK based Decanter Magazine. The 2009 Ch Des Karantes Rouge was named best wine over 10 euro (about $20 US) in the Languedoc region. What an honor and well deserved. The threesome took us on a tour of the estate which is surrounded by hills and as you drive up to the main house you pass by rows and rows of vineyards. If it weren't for the hills you would have thought you were in Bordeaux or Burgundy. But the smell of the salty air, and rough, romantic landscape reminded us where we were.

The estate rents apartments for tourists. I think I might have to check into this one as it is truly a paradise.

Off to dinner at a restaurant in Narbonne. I can't remember the name, and that's ok as the service was LOUSY. The food was decent. I had the fish of the day, a black fish grilled with aromatic vegetables. Very tender and flaky but had to pick thru quite a few bones. A rich baked mashed parmesan potato crock was quite rich. The bread and cheese were good though. And better yet, the wines we were tasting made the entire meal step up a notch or two.

We tasted 6 wines including a NEW Vin de Liquor that would please the palate of any port drinker. My fave and a wine I hope to bring in soon as I learned that it just arrived in Indy:

2010 Chateau des Karantes Bergerie Rose- grenach, syrah, mouvedre with bright red fruit aromas and flavors yet crisp and dry. Perfect with my fish and the bread and cheese.

The winemaker and sales manager were so hospitable and a delightful night of conversation, laughter, food and wine was had by all. And the owner and his family live in Michigan so I got to go back in time to relive my days of TV and wine there.

It's been another long but enjoyable day and alas my writing seems to reflect my energy level at this point of the day...er night..er day... Je suis fatigué.. so Bonsoir to all and to all a Bonsoir~