To set the scene for todays blog we need to go back some 26 years ago when we were engaged. Trying to find a present for Tim (Andrews dad) for Christmas Lucy decided to buy him a wine tasting book from WH SMiths. At that time the only wine we used to drink was Piat D'Or so this was a new venture for him. Taking everything he was given seriously he began to read and then fill up the cellar at the family home the Wilderness with lots of good and exciting things to drink. After we were married (but before children!) he took us along to a tasting at Yapp brothers of Mere one lunchtime. It was here that Lucy tasted Condrieu for the first time and her love affair with it began, although the cost prohibited her from enjoying it except for a few bottles over the last 24 or so years. Tim even gave her a bottle to enjoy on the birth of Kathryn (our first Child) rather than a bottle of Champagne and this was really treasured. In recent years Viognier has become more popular as a grape from other sources but in her mind the star of the show has always been Condrieu.

So today a dream came true as we drove from Carcassonne along the mediterranean coast, past the foothills of the Alps and along the Rhone to Condrieu. It was sad to drive past so many lovely wine regions without stopping but the dream was realised when we arrived at the wonderful hotel Beau Rivage on the banks of the Rhone. Shown to what can only be the honeymoon suite (room no 25) we feel very very spoilt and are loving it! Before dinner we partook of the house white - Condrieu!! And Lucy's words were "If i never taste another wine again i will be happy! (shed tear too!) We had the tasting menu for dinner - 5 courses each accompanied by a different wine which not only was exquisite but the service was second to none. (menu will be posted in our tasting pictures in due course.) Very repleat we retired for the night in anticipation of a tasting of guess what tomorrow!