Sunday, July 3, 2022

Wine and Food of the TdF 2022 Stage 3: Vejle to Sonderborg

Where are we? Starting our third and final day in Denmark.

Vejle:Visit Vejle suggests a visit to the Jelling Monuments:  In the tenth century, King Harald Bluetooth had Denmark’s name engraved on a rune stone in Jelling and erected two barrows and a church. The Jelling Monuments have enjoyed UNESCO World Heritage patronage since 1994. In the visitor and experience centre, Kongernes Jelling, you can discover the exciting world of the Vikings and their monuments. After the discovery and study of a mighty, diamond-shaped palisade in the years 2006-13, the entire area around the barrows was changed and surrounded by hundreds of newly erected white concrete pillars that encircle the entire site, marking the approximate location of the original wooden stockade.
The year is 965. Viking King Harald Bluetooth bids farewell to the Norse pantheon and embraces Christianity. He has this message chiselled into a large rune stone in the town of Jelling close to the rune stone erected a few years earlier by his father, King Gorm the Old. On the rune stone Harald boasts of having conquered Denmark and Norway and brought Christianity to the Danes. The inscription reads: “King Harald ordered this monument made in memory of Gorm, his father, and in memory of Thyrvé, his mother; that Harald who won for himself all of Denmark and Norway and made the Danes Christian.” The rune stone is considered Denmark’s baptism certificate and the figure of Christ inscribed on the stone is also featured in all Danish passports.
Gorm the Old’s slightly smaller memorial stone to his Queen, Thyrvé, bears the inscription: “King Gorm made this monument in memory of Thyrvé, his wife, Denmark’s adornment.” This is the oldest reference to the name ‘Denmark’ and the rune stone is therefore referred to as Denmark’s name certificate.

Le Tour regional specialties:  stegt flaesh (roast pork in parsley sauce with potatoes), smorrebrod (slice of rye bread with cold cuts, fish, cheese and condiments), wienerbrod (pastry)

Sonderborg: Le Tour has a castle for us to visit: Sønderborg Castle
Construction: 1158
Style: Baroque
Characteristics: set in a park overlooking the Als Strait and built during the reign of Valdemar the Great as a defensive tower, the castle has been extended and transformed over the decades. In 1350 the Blue Tower and the outer wall were added, and the castle became one of the most powerful fortresses in the country and became the property of the crown in 1490. In the 1550s, King Christian III had the castle renovated in the then fashionable Renaissance style.
History: rebuilt in Baroque style during the reign of Frederick IV in the early 18th century, it fell into disrepair and was used as a barracks and prison until its rehabilitation in the 1960s and 1970s.
Special features: the castle chapel, dedicated to Queen Dorothea, is one of the oldest and best-preserved Lutheran chapels. 

Le Tour specialities: ”Ringrider” sausages, the South Jutland coffee table, solæg (eggs pickled in brine)



COMMENTARY FROM CHRISTIAN PRUDHOMME

Although the route never strays far from the coast on the Jutland peninsula, it will be less exposed to the wind than the day before and that should make it easier for the sprinters’ teams to control the race. Before a transfer and an unusually early first rest day, this stage should see the first round in the battle between the sprinters.

The stage: Another expected bunch sprint, but a solo breakaway from Magnus Cort, in search of more points for his polka dot jersey started the day.
 This is just to say that he had many hours to enjoy his time out front (and I had many hours to research future stage information.) Eventually, at the intermediate sprint point, maximum points to Van Aert.
At long last, the catch. What a ride for him!
As they closed in, the sprint trains began to form, always a delight to watch on overhead shots.  It was not surprising to see a crash.
The major sprint trains continued on.
Groenewegen, with a surge up the middle and a bike throw. That was close! Three stages, three second place finishes for van Aert.


The wine:Beer! "2019 Vintage" 9085 KM Mikkeller Brewing San Diego
Danish beer made in California!
From the producer: Did you know the direct flight distance from Mikkeller SD to the estate at Frederiksdal Kirsebærvin is 9085 KM? Well, now you do. Aside from being a fun little piece of trivia, that is also where the cherries for this beer were sourced. Regarding flavor profile, think cherry...lots of cherry.

The food: Smørrebrød   Smørrebrød, from smør og brød “butter and bread”, typically consists of a slice of buttered rye bread topped with cold cuts, fish, condiments, cheese or a spread. It is a traditional lunch in Danish cuisine. Bread is a very important part of the Scandinavian table, especially rugbrod, which is a sourdough rye bread. It is a dark, heavy bread that is often bought in slices, in varieties ranging from light to very dark rye, and from refined to wholemeal. It forms the basis of smørrebrød, which is closely related to Swedish smörgas. Some fillings are served on franskbreud (French bread), a very light and crisp wheat bread. The bread is usually buttered, although in some variants a slice of lard is usual. 
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