It was a cool January morning in 2003 when we stopped by the Saurel family winery in the Southern Rhne Valley.


We had a nice look around their modern cellars which have been built to afford the winemaker the "luxury" of gravity flow winemaking.


We saw some expensive new barrels and various types of tanks for fermentation and aging.

Then we took off in the rain to have a look at their vineyards.


Stephane is proud of their vineyards and the work that goes into them.

Too bad the van got parked in a moist patch and got stuck in the mud!


Just as we were trying to push the van the skies opened, causing us all to resemble drowned rats!

Stephane's dad was summoned and he and his little car were able to pull us out of the mud!


We were glad to be someplace warm and someplace dry!


Meanwhile, Madame Saurel was busy in the kitchen preparing the first course!



The Chat du Maison Saurel knew something delicious was being served!


Dad got busy and opened some bottles of their wines.


What we lacked in sunshine outside we made up for with this!


This was delicious!



The main plate was a wonderful leg of lamb which was beautifully seasoned with herbs and spices, not to mention garlic!  The grain is called pautre, apparently some sort of spelt (the Italians call it "farro").


Stephane is proud of his wines and we're especially fond of his "Lou Mistrau" red wine, a Syrah-based red.


A big cheese helps himself to big cheeses.


Mom served some wonderful poached pears with ice cream!


A BIG MERCI BEAUCOUP to the SAUREL FAMILY
For Hosting Our Little Group of Wine-Tasters.