Goes out to nearly 20.000 Bordeaux Wine Lovers all over the world!
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Chateau Mouton Rothschild, the Mouton Cadet comes from another place
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A Personal Note From Ronald,
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Winter is almost over in Bordeaux and we eagerly start looking for spring. Even our pool is almost ready now, if you remember my pool adventures of last issue… But spring also brings the presentation of the most recent Vintage in Bordeaux. Many of my friends are in the wine business and they have provided me with some insider information. And I can tell you that the first impressions of the 2016 vintage are very positive. I feel that we have another great Bordeaux vintage on our hands.
In April I will taste all Classified Growths and I will let you know my verdict.
We have been busy to make all appointments for the futures tasting of the Bordeaux vintage 2016. In my Vintage Special later this year you can read about my verdict on each vintage. (You can see my tasting notes on the Bordeaux 2015 vintage here).
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Spring is in the air at Chateau Coulon Laurensac
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The Michelin Guide played an important role on D-Day
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D-Day for the Michelin Guide
But Spring also brings excitement about the new Michelin Guide and the famous stars that can be awarded but also retracted. Margaret delves into the history and explains why we turn to a tire company for restaurant advice. She also managed to dug up what role the Michelin Guide played on D-Day, now some 73 years ago.
Mouton Cadet vs Mouton Rothschild
My article on the Second Wines in Bordeaux resulted in quite a few questions. Notably there were questions about Mouton Cadet versus Mouton Rothschild. And, spoiler alert, these two wines definitely are not in the same league…
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The Grand Tour of Bordeaux
And I will tell you about our Grand Tour of Bordeaux –without a doubt our most exclusive tour- with meals as exceptional as your visits. Imagine I’ll take you for private visits and tastings at all five First Growths and Yquem. And there is more: Exclusive chateau-meals and Michelin-rated dining. And the good news is we still have some spots available in May and September. More about this exclusive Bordeaux Grand Tour in this issue. Check out our availabilities here. We would love to see you in Bordeaux with us this summer.
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Learn about Bordeaux wines, winemaking and history
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Solo travellers more than welcome on our Bordeaux Wine Tours,
Click on the picture for a short video
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Actively seeking single travelers
On each of our week tours we have a single room (without single supplement of course). And we still have a few availabilities for single travelers. Solo travellers fit in perfectly well on our tours.
So solo travelers check out our Bordeaux Wine Tour schedule here.
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Feedback to our new responsive websites
So many of you took the time to evaluate our new websites. Your comments varied from typos to more intrinsic suggestions for improvement and most of you were very positive on the user experience our new sites offer. Those who have toured with me know that I am convinced that attention to many little details creates perfection, so I am still open to suggestions or ideas for improvement (and yes, I am still hunting for typos as well…). Please keep the feedback coming and email me and simply reply to this magazine. I love to hear from you.
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Ronald and Margaret love to share
their passion for Bordeaux with you
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And please remember: Don’t drink anything I wouldn’t drink!
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Mouton Cadet vs Mouton Rothschild
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Mouton Cadet, from second wine to largest producer
The most drunk Bordeaux in the world is Mouton Cadet. Especially in Asia, many wine lovers think that this is the second wine of Mouton Rothschild, but that’s no longer the case. In the beginning of the 1930’s Mouton Cadet was what we nowadays would call a second wine: the little brother of the great Mouton (in French the Cadet is the youngest son of the family). The Mouton Cadet was so successful that the owner, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, bought grapes from other producers to meet demand. Eventually they decided to use grapes from other appellations to further increase production. That is the reason that in 1947 Mouton Cadet became Appellation Bordeaux instead of Appellation Pauillac. Nowadays, most grapes come from the Entre Deux Mers (close to chateau Coulon Laurensac) and this best-selling Bordeaux sells world wide over 15 million bottles per year.
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Mouton Cadet, the largest production in Bordeaux
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Le Petit Mouton 18,5 points on 20 for the 2015 vintage
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Real Second Wine
The real second wine of Mouton, Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild has only existed since 1994. Although this wine can be called good and the quality improves every year, the second wine has yet to reach the reputation of a top wine.
Changing a reputation is not always easy and quite honestly I feel that as of the last couple of vintages Le Petit Mouton is claiming its rightful place amongst the better second wines of the First Growths. I rated Le Petit Mouton 18,5 points on 20 for the 2015 vintage. You can read my tasting notes in my Bordeaux Vintage Special here.
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Michelin, a tire company rating restaurants
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The first edition of the “Red Bible”
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Wearing out tires
The South West region of France is renowned for it’s culinary traditions. It is therefore no wonder that you can find many Michelin starred restaurants in this area.
Not many people know why Michelin is also the publisher of a guide rating hotels and restaurants. After all they are a tire company right?
The history of the Michelin guide starts in1900
The two brothers André and Eduard Michelin wanted to offer motorists a guide with information about petrol stations across France, garages for different French car brands and information on restaurants as well as accommodations along the way. The idea behind their plan is of course to facilitate travelling by car and thus expanding the need for Michelin tires.
Their guide is a great success and in 1908 they start a new service to help motorist map out their itinerary. In 1920 the brothers decide to upscale their guide. They start selling it instead of giving it away and advertising in the guide is no longer possible. The idea is that a customer will value the guide more if they have to pay for it even if it is only a few francs.
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Stars are born
The Michelin brothers are so serious about their guide that they send out their own inspectors to check out restaurants and menus all over the country. To make a distinction between the levels of quality of the restaurants mentioned in the guide they put in place the famous star system. In 1926 the Michelin inspectors only had one star to award. In 1936 the system with 3 stars was born and it has never been changed since. The meaning of the stars is explained in the picture:
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D-Day with Michelin
A special story is how the Michelin guide played a part in the D-Day landings in France in 1944. The allied forces feared that their progression would be delayed because all the signage had been altered, taken down or destroyed. In deep secrecy the Paris Michelin management was contacted for help. The Michelin guide has detailed maps of all the major cities of France and this could be very helpful for the allied forces. It was decided that the complete 1939 Michelin guide would be reprinted in Washington and was to be distributed among the officers going to Europe.
The only difference from the 1939 French edition was the mention on the cover stating ‘For official use only’. So it was that on D-Day the troops landed armed with the Michelin Guide in hand.
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Priorities
Good food is important for the French and they take it seriously. It is thus no wonder that after the war the publishing of a new France Michelin Guide was a top priority for all the Michelin inspectors. The required paper had been stockpiled during the war, allowing for sales to begin as early as 16 May: one week after V-E Day. A small notice printed on the cover stated, “This edition, prepared during the war, can not be as complete and precise as our pre-war publications. Nevertheless, it should be useful.”
Nowadays the Michelin Guide is printed in many editions for many countries and cities.
Only a small percentage of the restaurants in the guide have one or more stars awarded.
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The Michelin guide had detailed maps
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More than “just” stars
And honestly the starred restaurants are for me not the most obvious use of the Michelin Guide. Because it is often very easy to find a really high quality restaurant when you are in an unfamiliar city. I like to use the guide for the lesser-known restaurants that aren’t discovered yet by the large crowds. And I can admit that in all the years of using the Michelin Guide we have never ever been disappointed. And I also have to admit that if Ronald invites me to a “Grand Table’ with one or more stars: I am more than happy to accept his invitation…
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Chef in the kitchen
In Bordeaux we have 2 restaurants that are rated 2 Michelin stars in 2017: La Grande Maison with Pierre Gagnaire and Le Pressoir d’Argent with Gordon Ramsey. Both restaurants are very good but both chefs are so diversified with many other restaurants that it lacks some personality. That is the reason I prefer the Haute Rive Saint James restaurant with only one star. The chef Nicolas Magie is there every night to overlook his brigade in the kitchen and to take care of his guests. And this approach really appeals to me.
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Ronald and Margaret with Nicolas Magie
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The Grand Tour of Bordeaux: Grand in every way
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Ronald will take you on a private tour at First Growth Lafite Rothschild
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Our most exclusive tour
On this Grand Tour of Bordeaux Ronald will personally take you for private visits and tastings at all five First Growths from the 1855 Classification that normally are closed to the public.
Learn about Bordeaux wines, winemaking and history
We start each Bordeaux wine tour with a fun master class on Bordeaux wine tasting. But you came to experience the famous chateaux and you will see and taste the absolute best:
A memorable part of our Grand Tour of Bordeaux is the visit to First Growth Chateau Haut Brion where you’ll see their cooper at work! You’ll learn to recognize the oldest of the First Growths by their special bottles and the smokiness and ‘blonde tobacco” notes on the nose of this wine coming from their special terroir.
Another highlight is the visit at beautiful Superior First Growth Chateau Yquem, the King of wines and the wines of Kings. And of course you’ll taste this “Nectar of the Gods” in Sauternes.
A candlelit tasting of an elegant and refined Chateau Lafite Rothschild in the famous round aging cellar at this First Growth is a wine lover’s dream come true.
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First Growth Chateau Latour
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First Growth Chateau Haut Brion
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First Growth Chateau Margaux
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See and taste all First Growths plus Yquem like a VIP!
And what about visiting two museums at First Growth Mouton Rothschild with its unique label collection before tasting the powerful cabernet sauvignon dominated Grand Vin in the tasting room of the chateau?
Our guests always love to see the Palladian architecture of First Growth Chateau Margaux, where the wines seem to combine power and elegance like nowhere else in Bordeaux.
And you will be amazed by the mix of new technology used in a classical way of wine-making at the most powerful of all First Growths: Chateau Latour. Of course we’ll visit a top producer in Pomerol and a First Growth in Saint Emilion.
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A Food and Wine Experience
Although this Bordeaux wine tour seems to emphasize “just” on wine, we feel wine is best enjoyed with great food. That’s why we put as much effort into the planning of the meals as we do on the planning of the vineyard visits. This Grand Tour of Bordeaux includes memorable dinners in the best restaurants of the Bordeaux area. You will enjoy a dinner at a famous Michelin starred Relais & Chateaux Restaurant.
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First Growth Mouton Rothschild
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Culinary highlights and great fun!
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Culinary highlights
And there is more! You’ll never forget those gourmet meals in different Bordeaux Chateaux.
And if that is not enough, the Farewell Dinner will be at our Chateau Coulon Laurensac. Our private chef will prepare another wonderful meal for us that we’ll accompany by an impressive succession of library wines that have been aging in our cellar, including a First Growth from an older vintage and Superior First Growth Chateau d’Yquem of over 20 years old!
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Prestigious estates, not pretentious people
It is true: Bordeaux and its wines can seem a bit intimidating at first. Don’t worry, on this tour Ronald will guide you through all this like an insider. Remember: we tour prestigious estates, not pretentious people. You’ll develop a preference for “Left-Bank” or “Right-Bank”, while visiting some of the best chateaux in the world. Our tours are both entertaining and informative. We combine a down-to-earth approach with a great sense of humor.
We prefer nice people on our tours… So please only join us if you are a nice person who likes wine and want to learn more about the intriguing Bordeaux wine world and want to taste the best wines in the world while having a fun vacation. Click here for our Tour Schedule.
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Superior First Growth Yquem
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Our 2017 Bordeaux Wine Tour Program
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Because you want a Bordeaux Wine Experience and not “just a tour”
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The Grand Tour of Bordeaux
The Grand Tour maybe the most special tour we offer, with meals as exceptional as your visits. Imagine tasting all five First Growths and Yquem. And there is more: Superb chateau meals and Michelin rated dining… Add to this the best of Pomerol and Saint Emilion and you’ll see that this dazzling Grand Tour of Bordeaux is your chance to see and taste the very best that Bordeaux has to offer.
Ask us for an Itinerary here.
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Seeing the medieval chateau at Superior First Growth Yquem is a highlight on all our Bordeaux week tours
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A master-class on tasting Classified Growths marks the
start of each of our Bordeaux Week Tours
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The Bordeaux Grand Cru tour
This is probably our most exclusive tour. This ultimate wine tour for Bordeaux lovers is as good as it gets. Can you believe that you’ll see and taste all five First Growths and Superior First Growth Chateau d’Yquem including some older vintages! Of course we include the best of Saint Emilion and Pomerol as well. Add to this outstanding meals at exceptional venues not normally open to the public and you’ll see why this tour usually sells out early.
Ask us for an Itinerary here.
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The Bordeaux Grand Cru Harvest Tour
The Harvest Tour is Grand in every way, both in food and wine. Enjoy chateau meals and Michelin rated dining. The most exciting time in Bordeaux is harvest time. You can sense the anticipation in the air.
And the food is superb as well: Exclusive meals at extraordinary venues not normally open to the public. On top of that you’ll see and taste all five First Growths and Superior First Growth Chateau d’Yquem and many of them will be older vintages!
Ask us for an Itinerary here.
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Bordeaux in full harvest swing
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2017 Bordeaux Wine Tour Schedule
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_____________________________________________________________________
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What makes our Bordeaux Wine and Culinary Tours so special?
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Carefree and truly effortless travel in Bordeaux: We take care of everything, really everything |
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See and taste all 5 First Growths and Château d’Yquem! |
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Expert (and humorous) guidance by Bordeaux specialist Ronald Rens |
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Air-conditioned accommodation at our privately owned 18th century chateau |
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Taste more Classified Growths than on any other Bordeaux wine tour! |
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Grand Cru Farewell Dinner with all Grand Cru wines (including Chateau d’Yquem!) |
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Gourmet meals at Bordeaux Chateaux and a Michelin starred restaurant! |
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Grand Cru wines with all meals (except breakfast…) |
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Air-conditioned, luxury motor coach transportation throughout the tour |
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Great food and wine and a lot of fun in a small group |
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2017 Bordeaux Day Tour Packages
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The most complete Wine Day Tour Packages in Bordeaux!
Stay at our Chateau and be chauffeur-driven to Classified Growths on a private tour that combines the best of both worlds in Bordeaux: the Médoc and Saint Emilion.
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Chateau Coulon Laurensac, without a doubt the best place in the world to taste all five First Growths and Yquem…
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The Bordeaux Wine Experience
at Chateau Coulon Laurensac
1, chemin de Meydieu
33360 Latresne (BORDEAUX), France
Website : www.BXWINEX.com
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Call us:
1-877-203-2665 (toll free from USA & Canada) or
+33 556 20 64 12 (from anywhere else in the world)
(These lines go directly to our Chateau in Bordeaux so please remember that we’re on Paris time!)
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Copyright © 2017 by The Bordeaux Wine Experience. All rights reserved. The content, design and graphical elements of this Magazine are copyrighted. The Bordeaux Wine Experience is a Dutch company specializing in wine and culinary tours in the Bordeaux region for an English speaking international clientele.
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