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 06/09/2010 |
The Wine road
 
If you take the D730 south towards Bordeaux, after about 20 kilometres (between Cozes and Boutenac-Touvent), you will find many Pineau and Cognac wineries as well as many other liqueurs from the region. Tasting and purchase available.
Continue on the same road and turn east towards Saint-André-de-Lidon to visit the Domaine du Chaillaud (Vineyard of Chaillaud). You will be able to discover aging wine storehouses, and to taste some Pineau des Charentes and some Cognac from 5 to 100 years old as well as some honey. You can also visit the Musée du vigneron (The Winegrower Museum) as well as walk in a botanical garden exhibiting 600 varieties of trees, bushes, perennials, rose bushes and an old greenhouse from the 19th century. A picnic area is available and guaranteed for all the visitors of the Vineyard year round from 9 am to 7 pm. The guided tour of the Vineyard is offered free of charge.
When you leave the Vineyard, drive east toward Pons (D732) then Archiac (D700). There, you will be able to visit the Tonnellerie Allary (Allary Cooperage) which has been making large oak barrels of 225- to 500-litres capacity for wines and alcohols since 1953. This family and cottage industry owns and operates, besides its traditional cooperage activity, an artistic cooperage workshop (barrels from one litre, vinegar barrels, pitchers…). It has received the title of Best Craftsman of France five times. Guided tours and free demonstrations are part of the visit.
Next, drive the D731 towards Cognac (northeast). Once there, two famous Cognac wineries are not to be missed: Martell and Hennessy.
- Martell is the oldest of the most famous Cognac wineries. Guided tour and tasting available.
- Hennessy is to be visited if only to observe the making of Cognac and to taste its liqueurs.
Suggestion for the drive back: go through Saintes and visit its arenas.
The Médoc region is located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gironde Estuary. To reach the Médoc rapidly from Colinette, take the ferry leaving Royan harbour and arriving quickly on the other side by crossing the Gironde Estuary. Then, take the N215 south towards Bordeaux. This road passes through some very famous vineyards such as Saint-Estèphe, Moulis...
Leaving Colinette, take the D730 south towards Bordeaux. In Saint-Ciers-sur-Gironde, you will be able to visit the Château Ferthis and many more…
When you arrive in Mirambeau, drive south toward Bordeaux taking the national road. At 80 kilometres from Colinette, you will reach Blaye. You will be able to discover one of the most historical significant sites of the entire region as well as the vineyard Blaye. There are five wines under this label: Premières Côtes de Blaye Rouge, Premières Côtes de Blaye Blanc, Côte de Blaye Blanc, Blaye Blanc and Blaye Rouge. This vineyard spreads over 5,000 hectares shared by about 450 wine-growers for a production of 300,000 hectolitres of red as well as white wines.
At the Cellier des Vignerons, open during July and August, you will be able to gather information on, taste and even purchase some wines from the wine-growers of the Premières Côtes de Blaye.
At the Maison des Vins des Premières Côte de Blaye, you can be trained in proper tasting (only in July and August).
In Blaye, make sure to also visit the Citadelle of Vauban, overlooking the estuary as well as the Musée de la Boulangerie (Breadmaking Museum).
Not far from Blaye, there are many interesting sites to visit among the hundreds of vineyards such as in Saint-Genes-de-Blaye with the Châteaux de La Salle and Segonzac or also in Mazion with the Châteaux de la Bretonnière and de Baffort.
Finally, you will be able to visit the Conservatoire Vinicole (Wine Conservatory) in Plassac and discover an authentic centenarian barrel which revives wine making, cooperage as well as the trading of the wines of Blaye.
The region of Blaye possesses also a rich gourmet heritage linked to fishing (eels, grey mullet, white shrimp), but offers also an interesting local vegetable and fruit production such as the Asparagus of Blaye. For those with a true sweet tooth, buy some Pralines de Blaye in the bakers’ shops anywhere in town.
Suggestion for the drive back: try the tourist road going north along the estuary through Mortagne-sur-Gironde and Talmont, the salted fields and the limestone cliffs. Panoramic views of the estuary available.
Hotel Restaurant Colinette **, 2 Cheminées Logis de France - info_at_colinette.fr |
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