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THE WINE Heading east out of Bordeaux toward Limoges, the home of beautiful porcelain wares, we enter the Massif Central. This is an area of immense natural beauty with plateaus and ancient forests. There are vineyards that produce very local wine in this area, but we do not get this wine in the US. It has very small productions and distribution is very local. The forests in this area, however, are an integral part of wine production. The oak grown here is used for wine barrels in many parts of France and the US; including Armagnac, Bordeaux, California, and Washington.  Map of French Oak Forests, by GuildSomm Oak is very important to many wines and wineries. Oak imparts aromas and flavors, like cinnamon and vanilla. Oak also imparts tannins, so it must be used skillfully. Oak also allows for oxygenation that creates smooth round textures and assists in the proper development of some wines. If you enjoyed a Bordeaux red yesterday, you will have tasted a wine that used oak barrels.  French Oak Wine Barrel. Wikipedia THE RACE
Today was a hilly course from Libourne to Limoges. The finish was expected to be another all-out sprint, with the last 2km bringing the excitement for the day. Mark Cavendish was expected to contest for the win today. He was looking very good in his last two sprint finishes. It was widely thought that this would be his last best opportunity to break the record for most stages won in the Tour de France. He is currently tied with Eddy Merckx at 34 wins. This was not to be. There was a crash with 64km to go; a sad, sad crash. No crash is good, but this was sad and disappointing. Cavendish broke his collarbone in the crash and did not finish. He is out of the Tour de France. I think anyone who has been watching probably shed a tear or two. He has been a great competitor for a long time. He was an explosive sprinter who redefined the sprint. He will be missed. Mark Cavendish announced earlier this year that he is retiring at the end of the racing season. Unfortunately, I believe this is the end of his season. This hilly course was led by individual contributors riding throughout the race, taking the peloton into another all-out sprint. Mads Pederson beat Jasper Philipsen on the line. The announcer called it a drag race, which it was. Tomorrow, we head to the Puy de Dome. An extinct volcano in the center of France. This is a fragile ecosystem, a highly protected area. The race has not been here for over 35 years. It will be a special stage we won’t see again for a while. Santé Comments are closed.
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