Sunday, July 16, 2023

Wine and Food of the Tour de France 2023: Stage 15 Les Gets Les Portes du Soleil to Saint Gervais Mont Blanc


Where are we? Climbing in the Haute Savoie

Les Gets Les Portes du Soleil: The tourist site tells me that located between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, 1 hour from Geneva airport, Les Gets is an integral part of the Franco-Swiss territory of the Portes du Soleil , one of the largest ski and mountain bike areas in Europe. Its location on a pass is ideal for exceptional sunshine in all seasons. Nestled at an altitude of 1172 m, in the heart of the Chablais massif, the resort of Les Gets is a natural, beautiful, preserved and lively holiday resort, where one is simply well, where one feels "like at home". House". As proof, the station benefits from the Quality Tourism label . Dating back to the 11th century, the village cultivates an art of living in the mountains, an authenticity and a conviviality that are highly appreciated by customers. It also offers a rich cultural heritage, as well as a carefully selected wellness offer. 

Regional Specialties: fondue, raclette, polenta, croziflette, farcement, Abondance (cheese). Tomme des Gets.

Saint Gervais Mont Blanc: Le Tour says The highest mountain in Western Europe rises to 4,808.73m and is located in the commune of Saint-Gervais. Every year, many mountaineers attempt to climb its summit via the “Voie Royale” (Kings Way), the most popular route which passes through the famous "Couloir du Goûter". The preservation of the Mont Blanc site is part of the environmental campaign led by the commune of Saint-Gervais since 2004 : "La Montagne à l'Etat Pur: pour ne laisser dans la montagne que la trace de nos pas" (Mountain at its purest: let’s leave but our footsteps in the mountain). Ten years of education and awareness-raising on the ground have borne fruit. Saint-Gervais has seen a definite change in attitudes, an encouraging promise for the future.  

Regional Specialties:fondue, raclette, polenta, croziflette, farcement, Savoy cheese (tomme, beaufort, emmental). 


Christian Prudhomme says: At the end of a demanding weekend, the stage is set for a crucial battle between the contenders. This particularly undulating route through Haute-Savoie will take the riders over the Col de la Forclaz de Montmin, then to the Croix Fry and the Aravis passes. The most impactful blows will probably be delivered on the final climb to Le Bettex in the Amerands climb, where some sections touch 17% gradient.

The stage: Up we go again. It was again a very active start for the day, including some more time at the front for Alaphilippe and Lutsenko. They had a large group chasing. Behind them, a crash with several down and many held up. It looked to have been caused by a spectator stepping too far into the road with an arm out. After yesterday's crash and then later motorbike incident, that was not what anyone wanted to see today.
At 115 kilometers to go, Alaphilippe and Lutsenko had about 50 seconds over the large chasing group. One sensed they might prefer to be caught and work with the group.
Under 100 kilometers and Alaphilippe and Lutsenko continued to dangle 30 or so seconds ahead of the larger group. Eventually, perhaps to their relief, they were picked up by the larger group. With 85 kilometers to go, that group of 35 had 8:20 over the main peloton. Under 75 kilometers and it was under 7 minutes. Jumping from the group, Haller. He would be caught and passed by Costa. 
On the road, more KOM points to Ciccone, who would tie Powless for the polka dot jersey points. There were still 20 riders in the breakaway group. 50 kilometers to go and they had just over 6 minutes to the main peloton. 
38 kilometers to go and there were 4 leaders: Van Aert, Neilands, Poels and Soler. They had about 20 seconds to the chasers and 6:20 to the peloton. Yikes, ugly crash for Neliands. A replay showed him attempting to get a bottle from the Vittel motorbike as they went around a corner on the descent. It looked like the front of the bike caught his rear wheel.
Under 30 kilometers to go and their gap had gone out to 50 seconds. Soler would lose contact on the descent, but would get back as the climb began. As soon as he returned, an attack by Poels. He would be chased by Soler.
There were still numerous chasers between the leaders and the, once again, rapidly shrinking yellow jersey group.
Amazing to think that this would be the first grand tour stage win for Poels, if she could hold on.
Behind only Adam Yates remained with Pogacar and Vingegaard.
Ahead, a stage win for Poels.
Behind, Yates surged ahead of the two. Back to them, Rodriguez. 
Finally, an attack by Pogacar, but Vingegaard would stay with him and they woudl cross the line together.

Stage: 

GC: 



The wine
Domaine des 13 Lunes La Nuit Nous Appartient 2019
100% Mondeuse
The producer tells me that the name translates to: The night belongs to us. This red wine is a 100% Mondeuse mono-varietal, emblematic of Savoy. Aged for about 12 months in oak barrels and in tuns. This gastronomic wine for laying down will accompany your red meats, grilled meats, etc.


The food: Crozets  Gratin

1 package of crozets, plain or buckwheat
20 cl heavy cream
150g Beaufort

Cook the crozets on a low boil in plenty of salted water for about 20 minutes.
Drain the pasta and pour it into a casserole dish. Add the fresh cream and mix a little.
Grate the cheese over the dish and bake in the oven.
Crozets go perfectly with meat, especially poultry.

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