October 19 - Cognac

October 19 - Cognac

Today was another really wonderful day. Yesterday when I departed for my excursion we left the Forsetti shrouded in fog. Those guests who remained on board had anticipated crusing up to Saint Emillion but by the time the fog lifted the water levels would not permit the ship to sail beneath the bridges, so they went nowhere. This not only impacted the schedule yesterday, but also for today. As only a Viking cruise can, our program director spent yesterday arranging four separate visits to local chateaux; then organizing the guests so that this "bonus visit" would not interfere with the planned excursions; AND arranging transportation to those sites from our current location; AND arranging for the ship to travel to Blaye; AND for the excursions to join the ship there rather than return to the ship! So this morning I began the day on the earliest excursion because we had the BIG adventure to Cognac later in the day (a 5 1/2 hour adventure). We boarded the bus and within an hour we were at Chateau Le Daphunine - a chateau and winery. We received a tour of the grounds and the wine-making process. Interestingly, the winery we went to yesterday would typically sell individual bottles for prices anywhere around $50-to-$175. The winery we visited today would sell theirs for $5-$30. 

One new thing I discovered today was that in the early 1800s a bug was brought inadvertently from the US to France which began eating the roots of the vineyards. Over 80% of the vineyards were destroyed! The only way to re-create the French vineyards was to import American roots and then graft on the limbs from the French vines! And TO THIS DAY every vine - EVERY vine has a US root and French vines! AMAZING!

One of the highlights of the morning's adventure was that I discovered "my girls" Anneli and Rita were in my group so we sampled a glass of wine together!

We arrived back at the ship in time for a quick lunch before boarding the bus for our trip to Cognac, France - the home of, duh, cognac. Did you know that you cannot manufacture cognac and call it congnac unless it is produced IN COGNAC, France? True story!

We arrived at the House of Camus, the fifth largest, of 800 French cognac makers, but it is the LARGEST family-owned house. The business opened in 1863 on it's present location and has been run by the head of the family (six different men), until present day.

After a short history of the business and then a basic lesson on how cognac is made, the highlight of the day arrived. We were taken into the "Master Blending" room where we had five different blends of cognac. We were briefed on each and how they not only tasted, but how they should blend together. Then we were allowed to blend them together until we were satisfied with "our unique blend." We would take the measured tube to the barrels matching the samples we had and fill it; then mix it; and then empty it into out bottle. We'd complete the label and then it would be packaged for us. We were told that the bottle SHOULD remain sealed for at least three months before opening to get the maximum blend of the alcohols. AND we registered the mix with our own unique number, under "our label" and this will be available to order through Camus for the next 20 years! Pretty cool.

Once back on the ship I missed the briefing for tomorrow and at dinner I discovered that due to our disrupted schedule Viking had arranged a special treat. We will meet for debarkation information at 9:30 and then go on our scheduled walking tour of the Blaye Citadel in the morning. Then during and after lunch we will sail north. When we dock in Pauillack we would board busses for our schedule excursions as planned. BUT instead of returning to the ship, everyone on board will be transported to Chateau Kirwan where we will have a specially prepared dinner prepared for us! HOW AWESOME IS THAT? Only on Viking!

The last story I'll share is about dinner. Last night all the ladies were insistent that I return today and share how my trip went. And sure enough they were waiting for me this evening. As has become the practice the last two nights the six of us were so comfortable together and once again closed down the restaurant. Not since our trip to Australia where our dinner table became like a second family to us have I had this kind of experience. And we shared this sentiment this evening and everyone agreed they felt the same. AND we all were of the same mind that we wouldn't want to eat with anyone else but each other at the chateau tomorrow!