Stage 11 The Drama

Wow. Just wow. Today the Tour journeyed from Thursday, July 15: Sisteron > Bourg-lès-Valence (184.5 km). Most of the journey was uneventful. And them we came to the sprint and it all changed. Fans of the sport will know that there exists a sometimes unpleasant rivalry became two American teams: HTC and Garmin. Last year, in a move that quite frankly guaranteed that I will never ever root for Garmin, that team "stole" the yellow jersey from long time American cyclist George Hincapie. It is, of course, more complicated than that but between that move and the theoretical sprint rivalry between the two teams, there in no love lost.

Today it turned ugly. There are many ways to analyze what happened and much disagreement about what we all saw. My take has Julian Dean interfering without leadout man Mark Renshaw who retaliated with three had to see to be believed head butts. Really, on the bike during a sprint. Renshaw eventually peeled off the sprint, slowing Garmin sprinter Tyler Farrar as his teammate, Mark Cavendish sped to victory. People yelled, ranted, screamed and Renshaw was tossed out of the race. Given that earlier in the race a cyclist attacked another with a wheel, I think this was a crazy punishment. But, I don't make those decisions.

Yellow: Andy Schleck
Stage Winner: Mark Cavendish
Green Petacchi

And to drink? Well, after my first caprese salad of the year from our beloced Piccino and ice cream from the always wonderful Mr and Mrs Miscellaneous it is home for rose. In this case:

2009 Côtes du Ventoux Rosé Domaine de Fondreche "L'Instant"

They say: Domaine Fondrèche is situated on the picturesque foothills of Mount Ventoux in the village of Mazan. Young winemaker Sébastien Vincenti, a protégé of André Brunel, is without a doubt the leader in quality in this southern Rhone appellation. The 35 ha of vineyards at Fondrèche are cropped to produce nearly half the yields of his neighbors, making Sébastien’s wines deeply textured and intensely fruited. Although well known for his deliciously concentrated red wines, the best-kept secret here just may be the Rosé. Made from three grapes, it is a blend of 30% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 40% Cinsault. The 2009 l’Instant Rosé has beautiful pink color, lovely aromatics, and fully dry palate. Serve well chilled!

I say: pale coral-pink color, dry, lots of aromatics. Perfect for a warm night or perhaps a picnic?