Autumn break

We had our traditional autumn break in our house in France, starting with 4 days of work for Piet, and dog walking and some gardening for Mary. The evenings were relaxing with a fire going, and a nice glass of red wine.

In the weekend we drove south to meet Piet's friends in Gigondas. We started in Hermitage, where we let Pippin run around the famous hill, covered with vines. This was followed by our usual stops at Pierre Amadieu and the Caveau in Gigondas, to properly fill up our cellars. In the evening Frits' 60th birthday was celebrated with a dinner in the village. The next day we started with a hike near the hotel, and then drove to Chateauneuf du Pape, for a tasting at Clos du Caillou, followed by lunch on top of the hill. In the afternoon we wrapped up this short wine trip at Croix des Pins in Mazan. Back at Hotel des Florets we did our usual efficient sorting, enjoyed a glass of Champagne and another nice dinner.

The next morning Piet's friends left early to drive back to Utrecht, and we had a long and pleasant hike in the hills around Gigondas. We drove home to 4 days of rain, relaxing inside, a bit of house cleaning, and a daily wet dog walk. The last two days it was dry, and Piet could take out his bike at last. We drove back to The Hague in the wind and rain, to start the grey months till Christmas, and hopefully will be back in France in January

Enjoying a glass of Cornas in the evening

Walking in the famous vineyards of Hermitage

View on the Rhone river from the Hermitage hill

Tasting in Cave de Tain, Hermitage

Le Clos de Caillou

Waiting on the men to finish their wine tasting

Selecting a bottle of Champagne on the terrace of Les Florets

At Pas de l'Aigle, also one of the famous Gigondas wines

Walking in rainy clouds near Venosc

In our garden after a rainy hike