Thursday, July 10, 2014

Wines of the Tour Stage 6: Greipel & Roger Coulon Coteaux Champenois Blanc


Where are we:
Le Tour link
A bit on our start town from Arras-France.com: Of Gallo-Roman origin, Arras is famous for various reasons; in the XII century, the city was granted a commercial charter by the crown and enjoyed international importance in banking and trade. By the XIV century, it became a center of wealth and culture, renowned worldwide for its draperies and tapestries, known in Italy as “arazzi”.
The extremely well-preserved military history of Arras and the surrounding Artois region hit you hard when you tour the place. During the First World War, major battles occurred here such as the famous “Battle of Arras”.
The famous underground passages of Arras, called “Boves”, were used to shelter the civilians, and the British soldiers launched a successful attack against the German army from there.
During the Second World War, more than 200 opponents from different nationalities were executed in Arras between August 1941 and July 1944. Their memory is preserved at the ‘Citadel of Arras’, which was classified as part of the ‘world inheritance of humanity’ by UNESCO in 2008.
Le Tour specialties: Arras sausage, le Coeur d'Arras (cheese), le Bleu d'Arras, porcelain painting


Reims: When I think Reims, my mind goes to Champagne, but a bit of history from reims-tourism.com:According to the legend, Reims was founded by Remus, Romulus? brother who founded ancient Rome. The Celtic tribe who lived in the region might have taken therefore the name of Remes.About 80 BC, the Remes built an oppidum which they called Durocortero ( circular stronghold) After the Roman conquest, Durocortorum was integrated into the Roman province of Belgium and became its capital. At its height, with its 30 000 inhabitants, the Gallo-roman city was the most populated in the North of the Alps.
Specialities: Champagne, gingerbread, pink biscuits, Reims ham, Clovis mustards and vinegars

Le Tour preview: I have already talked of teams built around sprinters... Well then, I would not be surprised to see a breakaway stick on the day after the cobblestones stage, as we continue to commemorate the centenary on the roads of the Battle of the Somme and the Chemin des Dames. Yes, this is a stage for the brave, with lots of twists and turns towards the end, so the wind could also play a role... If attackers happen to come up short, a power sprinter may prevail on the long, leg-breaking false flat on the final straight. Last year's Kittel and Greipel would have had lots of fun here.

 The race: A relatively flat and short stage today, with rain, the possibility of crosswinds and an exhausted peloton. Why, yes, there could be echelons! A day for the breakaway to stay away or another sprint stage. If it ends in a sprint, Greg Henderson had some advice:
The early break, this time in visual form:
Interesting, by the way, to learn that only 41 riders crashed yesterday and there was only one dnf. Of course, it was the pre-race favorite. Some thoughts on Sky and their Froome vs Wiggins issues here from the always worth reading Joe Lindsay. Also: worth watching this OPQS video from yesterday.
Meanwhile on the road, Giant-Shimano was leading the chase, hoping for another Kittel win.  And then as we saw rain falling, two crashes in a very short time period. Up front, Nibali asked Giant-Shimano to slow the race down, but as the sprintermediate loomed, they pace did not slow greatly. Out of the race after those crashes: Zandio and Silin. Ahead, Mark Renshaw takes the sprint from Sagan. More crashes, as the wind picked up and riders jockeyed for position. Not surprisingly, Omega Pharma-QuickStep, master of the crosswinds, was on the front pushing the pace. 65km to go and gap to break was down to 57".



But they would make it back. Meanwhile on Podium Cafe we were talking about crash statistics. 



Another abandonment: Jesus Hernandez. It appeared that the peloton had decided to let the break dangle: with 38 kilometers to go their gap was 48”. Cool helmet gif here. 23 kilometers to go and they pulled the cars out of the gap, with only 24 seconds between the two groups. 






Still fighting the catch was Mate. But he would be caught. With the peloton going full gas toward the line, echelons! Among those caught out: Mikel Nieve and Thibaut Pinot. Watching OPQS on stages like this is a joy. 


Nice move by Kwiatkowski and for a minute it looked like he might take the stage! But there was the sprinter so far missing in this tour: Greipel! Tough sprint there and apparently a puncture for Kittel. 




 Stage: Andre Greipel
Yellow: Vincenzo Nibali
Wine: 2008 Roger Coulon Coteaux Champenois Blanc

From Frankly Wines


Winery profile from the importer:
Eric and Isabelle Coulon are the representatives of the eighth generation of the Coulon family to be engaged as recoltant-manipulants, producing Champagne from Vrigny and the surrounding villages in the northwest corner of the Montagne de Reims.  Since 1806, this family has gradually increased its holdings so that there are now 10 hectares under vines, almost all located within the 1er Cru rated villages of Vrigny, Coulommes and Pargny, about 10 kilometers distance from Reims.

 Production at Champagne Roger Coulon is approximately 90,000 bottles per year.  The vineyards are planted 40% to Pinot Meunier, 30% to Pinot Noir and 30% to Chardonnay.  The average age of the vines is 38 years, a rarity in Champagne where old vines, and the limited production that is the result thereof, are often considered a curse rather than a blessing.  Further, the vineyards are planted by the selection masalle process rather than with modern clones.  No herbicides are used and harvest is done manually. The juice from the red grapes is fermented and aged in stainless steel but much of the Chardonnay is fermented in small oak barrels (not new).  Only the natural, indigenous yeasts are used.

The Coteaux Champenois Blanc is a still white wine produced, on rare occasion, exclusively from Chardonnay from a specific vintage; bone dry, a pristine expression of the chalk and limestone of these vineyards in the northwest corner of the Montagne de Reims; bottled unfiltered from a 3 barrel production (approximately 750 to 900 bottles)..

Producer website: http://www.champagne-coulon.com/Champagne-Roger-Coulon.html
I say: Getting a bit weird here, but why not? This is a still white wine from Champagne. I blame Frankly Wines. It sounds silly to type, but this is a wine that looks and tastes like Champagne, but without the bubbles. It is weird and  fascinating. Very dry. The acid of Champagne, check. Some yeast  notes, check. Do I want to keep refilling my glass? Also, check.
Info on a lovely sounding Coteaux Chamapenois tasting here.
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Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Wines of the Tour Stage 5: Boom, Nibali and Wine from Luxembourg



Where are we: Le Tour link

 Ypres  is located in West Flanders. Though Ieper is the Dutch and only official name, the city's French name Ypres is most commonly used in English due to its role in World War I when only French was in official use in Belgian documents, including on maps.
During World War I, Ypres was the centre of intense and sustained battles between German and Allied forces. During the war, because it was hard to pronounce in English, British troops nicknamed the city "Wipers." Lots more on World War One in the area here.
Specialties : apjesvlees d'Ypres (braised meat with lardons cooked on a bed of vegetables), Tarte sénateur, Tartine d'Ypres (sweet bread with cinnamon), Patte de chat (Danish pastry shaped like a cat's claw) Cockerulle Cake (with almonds and candied fruit), Terrine de roussette (fish terrine)

 As for Arenberg, Le Tour tells me that: The Arenberg quarry punctuated the life of the Wallers common for most of the 20th century. Even after the mining site was closed down in 1989, most of the former miners were called upon to take part in Claude Berri's film, Germinal. In terms of cycling, Arenberg is also known for the famous “tranchée” where Paris-Roubaix is sometimes won and often lost, since it was introduced on the course in 1968, thanks to Jean Stablinski's idea.
Specialities:  Saint-Amand mineral waters, beers, “Le terril de Germinal” chocolates, “Le pavé d'Enfer” gâteau



Le Tour preview: The time has come for the famous stage and its nine cobbled sectors, which promise, dare I say it, a "battlefield". It all starts in Ypres, Belgium, a city notorious for the gas attacks launched in it. It would have been unacceptable for the Tour not to commemorate the Centenary of the start of World War I in its own way... However, we will focus on the race, which promises to be a spectacular showdown. I do not expect Froome to thrive on the cobblestones but, who knows, he may want to prove us wrong... For him and many others, this is a stage riddled with dangers. The cobblestones will be a hinge moment in the race.

 The race: Like many others, I've been waiting for this one. Cobbles! I do so love cobbles. And in the rain. Of course, it will be much more fun to watch than to ride. On a somber note, OPQS is commemorating the fallen soldiers of World War 1 with poppies and the hashtag #wedonotforget on their jerseys.








There was early news that at least two of the cobbles sections would be removed from the course: "Two cobbled sectors removed from the route
Due to bad weather and road conditions, two cobbled sectors have been removed from stage 5. From LeTour: "They are sector 7, the 1,000-metres stretch of cobbles at Mons-en-Pévèle, and sector 5, which is the 1,400-metres long portion from Orchies to Beuvry-la-Forêt. It takes the total of pavés sections down to 13 kilometres but the race will remain highly attractive!" 
Speaking of highly attractive, our early break is interesting: Lieuwe Westra (Astana), Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-QuickStep), Tony Gallopin (Lotto-Belisol), Marcus Burghardt (BMC), Rein Taaramae (Cofidis), Simon Clarke (Orica-GreenEdge), Mat Hayman (Orica-GreenEdge), Janier Acevedo (Garmin-Sharp), Samuel Dumoulin (Ag2r-La Mondiale). 
120 kilometers to go and Chris Froome crashed. Strangely, there appeared to be no teammates around. It took a lot longer than I would have expected for his teammates to come and pace him back to the peloton. At that point they were one minute down on the main peloton. They did eventually make it back.
Ahead there was a crash in the break involving Tony Martin and Acevdeo.






The break was shrinking after crashes and flats.Tony Martin and Samuel Dumoulin were able to get back although Burghardt and Acevedo returned to the peloton. Wow: given the weather it was amazing to hear that they had ridden 49.2km in the first hour. 




Eighty four kilometers to go and their gap was at three minutes.  
Meanwhile, as the riders continued to crash, including Kittel, Cav had his surgery:




 More crashes, including this time: Fabian Cancellara. Next: Froome down again and he did not look good at all. And just like that his race was done. 



Nice riding so far from Nibali today. 










 And there went Bak with a crash that included a bike flip. Yikes. 



Oh Taylor:




 Note: if I had any idea where the riders were at this point, I'd update. But in this case, I feel like Phil and Paul. The perils of writing these posts live. I do admit to a few Go Nibs go shouts!)



At the front, it felt like we were all waiting for an attack by Fabian Cancellara. Behind, the Contador group was at two minutes. 



The yellow jersey group contains:  Nibali, Fuglsang, Westra, Sagan, Boom, Kwiatkowski, Renshaw, Trentin, Cancellara, Lemoine, Hayman, and Keukeleire. Strangely, the small Nibali group distanced everyone else. Final section of cobbles and there went Boom. Behind Sagan and Cancellara continued to mark each other. With two kilometers to go, Boom had 40 seconds. What a great ride from him today. Plenty of time for celebrating. Next up: Fuglsang and Nibali. Some significant time gaps behind. 

 



Stage: Lars Boom
Yellow: Vincenzo Nibali
Wine: Clos de Rochers Auxerrois
From  Frankly Wines

 From the producer: Situated on the slopes running down to the Moselle river which acts as a natural border between Luxembourg and Germany, the vineyards lie in a gentle micro-climate influenced by the river and an ideal south-westerly orientation.  They stretch over 42 km (26 miles) from Wasserbillig to the eponymous Schengen of European fame.

The 1235 hectares (3052 acres) of vines are divided into two areas: the canton of Remich with deep, rich soils and that of Grevenmacher, on slowly eroding clay soils.  The former produces generous and fleshy wines; the latter is distinguished by the mineral character of the wines and their finesse.

 The grapes, harvested by hand, are selectively picked at the most favourable moment of their maturity.  End of october, the harvest is generally over.

The grapes are collected in crates of 200 kg and are transported twice a day to the Domaine's pneumatic wine presses.

The must ferments in small stainless steel or oak vats under temperature control.  After ageing for a few months on fine lees, the wines are bottled in the spring following the harvest. 

I say: Weird grape alert. Wikipedia tells me that Auxerrois blanc is thought to have originated in Lorraine, rather than near Auxerre in the Yonne. Recent DNA fingerprinting suggests that it is a cross between Gouais blanc and Pinot noir.

Between this wine and the Cav tribute wine earlier, I'm feeling a little like I am dooming the riders with my choices. I couldn't resist  a wine from Luxembourg for a cobbled stage. Also when else would I ever drink a wine from Lxuembourg?
Feel free to insert your own Schleck joke here.
Very pale white, muted nose, has some richness. Floral notes, along with some fruit. Not going to be the wine of the Tour, but pleasant.
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Monday, July 7, 2014

Wines of the Tour Stage 3: Kittel (Again) and Fernando Castillo en Rama fino

Where are we: Starting the day in Cambridge, best known as the home of the University of Cambridge, founded in 1209. 
Specialities from le Tour: Fitzbillies Chelsea buns, Trinity cream (which appears to be much like creme brulee)

 And we finish in London: I think I can skip the random facts for this one, though how could I not include the Le Tour Specialities: English breakfast (a hearty breakfast), fish and chips, cheese cake, apple pie, pudding, beer, tea




Le Tour preview: A short 155 km stage to the British capital, which gave the Tour de France an unforgettable welcome in 2007. A prestigious stage which will take the peloton alongside the Olympic Park and London's most famous landmarks before finishing opposite Buckingham Palace. Of course, with everything pointing towards a mass sprint, the spotlight will back on Cavendish. Will he be at the top of his game? I think so. But one thing is for sure: the crowds will turn out in force, as large and fiery as seven years ago.

 The race: A very flat sprint stage today. If only Cav had not crashed. With him out, the favorite for the day is Marcel Kittlel, though as I said on Twitter, without Cav I may be cheering for the breakaway on sprint stages. On a positive note though, K felt so bad about Cav that she made me a blueberry buckle. 

 Route info from "Addict" on Podium Cafe: "I reckon the last 3 corners are pretty right for a TDF sprint. It’s on my commute home and I am not sure I would want to take any of them at 60kph. Plus Birdcage Walk has speed bumps on it (unless they have taken them out over the last 7 days).
I think if u can get into the turn into Parly Square (called great George street in the map) with a train of 3-4 riders, it’s going to be hard for others to get by. Final straight is prob 400m so not that much time to wind it up if u r behind. Nail it along the embankment and then try and he on would bd my call. Embankment is straight and FAST, but judging by where they had the barriers this morning, not hugely wide (2 lanes)." 


 Another day of amazing crowds and at the start, good weather. So far Tour weather > Giro weather. 
Our break of the day: Barta and Bideau and they had a quick gap of 2'58" after 9,1 kilometers. Given that neither rider is a threat, the peloton would be happy to have them would dangle out front for a long while. Sure enough, dangle they did as the riders passed more amazing crowds. 
Meanwhile in Tour weirdness (More here) :


75 kilometers to go and the gap was hovering around 2:25. For all of the criticism of the NBCSN coverage over the years, I must applaud their addition of Christian Vande Velde. He has been excellent so far.
Ahead:


At the intermediate sprint, Coquard once again took the maximum points from the field. Sprint done: it was time for shots of London in the distance. Or on the French feed: Londres. While we were on commercial a crash involving Ted King and Andy Schleck. Apparently a spectator went down as well. Spectators and their desire for selfies have become an issue already in this year's race. 


Meanwhile: 27.9km to go, the gap was 2’08 and dropping quickly. As they got closer to the finish: rain. 16 kilometers to go and the gap was down to 1:10. 10 kilometers and it was down to 30 seconds. With eight kilometers to go, Barta  attacked his break mate. Soon enough though, he was caught. Quick Step to the front. Were they working for Renshaw or Petacchi? Then came Giant-Shimano and Lotto. Lots of fingers crossed they would all stay upright. At the end, an easy win for Marcel Kittel.



Stage: Marcel Kittel
Yellow: Vincenzo Nibali

Wine: Fernando Castillo en Rama fino
From Frankly Wines

Why Sherry for this stage?
From Wines from Spain:
Sherry is associated with the British people, and they have had a passion for the wine since 1587, when the Spanish Armada was crippled, its stores were sacked, and Sir Francis Drake’s fleet made off with the equivalent of 180,000 cases of Sherry. Shortly thereafter, Shakespeare’s Falstaff was toasting the wine as “sherris sack.” The region is named for the town of Jerez de la Frontera, the frontier in question being the frontier that, from 1264 to 1492, formed the barrier between the ruling Moors and the rest of Iberia. It must have been an inebriated Englishman, drunker than Falstaff, who mispronounced “Jerez” as “Sherry.” - See more at: http://www.winesfromspainusa.com/regions/andaluc%C3%AD#sthash.0Cebc04L.dpuf
"Sherry is associated with the British people, and they have had a passion for the wine since 1587, when the Spanish Armada was crippled, its stores were sacked, and Sir Francis Drake’s fleet made off with the equivalent of 180,000 cases of Sherry. Shortly thereafter, Shakespeare’s Falstaff was toasting the wine as “sherris sack.” The region is named for the town of Jerez de la Frontera, the frontier in question being the frontier that, from 1264 to 1492, formed the barrier between the ruling Moors and the rest of Iberia. It must have been an inebriated Englishman, drunker than Falstaff, who mispronounced “Jerez” as “Sherry.” "
Sherry is associated with the British people, and they have had a passion for the wine since 1587, when the Spanish Armada was crippled, its stores were sacked, and Sir Francis Drake’s fleet made off with the equivalent of 180,000 cases of Sherry. Shortly thereafter, Shakespeare’s Falstaff was toasting the wine as “sherris sack.” The region is named for the town of Jerez de la Frontera, the frontier in question being the frontier that, from 1264 to 1492, formed the barrier between the ruling Moors and the rest of Iberia. It must have been an inebriated Englishman, drunker than Falstaff, who mispronounced “Jerez” as “Sherry.” - See more at: http://www.winesfromspainusa.com/regions/andaluc%C3%AD#sthash.0Cebc04L.dpuf
Sherry is associated with the British people, and they have had a passion for the wine since 1587, when the Spanish Armada was crippled, its stores were sacked, and Sir Francis Drake’s fleet made off with the equivalent of 180,000 cases of Sherry. Shortly thereafter, Shakespeare’s Falstaff was toasting the wine as “sherris sack.” The region is named for the town of Jerez de la Frontera, the frontier in question being the frontier that, from 1264 to 1492, formed the barrier between the ruling Moors and the rest of Iberia. It must have been an inebriated Englishman, drunker than Falstaff, who mispronounced “Jerez” as “Sherry.” - See more at: http://www.winesfromspainusa.com/regions/andaluc%C3%AD#sthash.0Cebc04L.dpuf
Sherry is associated with the British people, and they have had a passion for the wine since 1587, when the Spanish Armada was crippled, its stores were sacked, and Sir Francis Drake’s fleet made off with the equivalent of 180,000 cases of Sherry. Shortly thereafter, Shakespeare’s Falstaff was toasting the wine as “sherris sack.” The region is named for the town of Jerez de la Frontera, the frontier in question being the frontier that, from 1264 to 1492, formed the barrier between the ruling Moors and the rest of Iberia. It must have been an inebriated Englishman, drunker than Falstaff, who mispronounced “Jerez” as “Sherry.” - See more at: http://www.winesfromspainusa.com/regions/andaluc%C3%AD#sthash.0Cebc04L.dpuf
Sherry is associated with the British people, and they have had a passion for the wine since 1587, when the Spanish Armada was crippled, its stores were sacked, and Sir Francis Drake’s fleet made off with the equivalent of 180,000 cases of Sherry. Shortly thereafter, Shakespeare’s Falstaff was toasting the wine as “sherris sack.” The region is named for the town of Jerez de la Frontera, the frontier in question being the frontier that, from 1264 to 1492, formed the barrier between the ruling Moors and the rest of Iberia. It must have been an inebriated Englishman, drunker than Falstaff, who mispronounced “Jerez” as “Sherry.” - See more at: http://www.winesfromspainusa.com/regions/andaluc%C3%AD#sthash.0Cebc04L.dpuf
Sherry is associated with the British people, and they have had a passion for the wine since 1587, when the Spanish Armada was crippled, its stores were sacked, and Sir Francis Drake’s fleet made off with the equivalent of 180,000 cases of Sherry. Shortly thereafter, Shakespeare’s Falstaff was toasting the wine as “sherris sack.” The region is named for the town of Jerez de la Frontera, the frontier in question being the frontier that, from 1264 to 1492, formed the barrier between the ruling Moors and the rest of Iberia. It must have been an inebriated Englishman, drunker than Falstaff, who mispronounced “Jerez” as “Sherry.” - See more at: http://www.winesfromspainusa.com/regions/andaluc%C3%AD#sthash.0Cebc04L.dpuf

 I say: I am not much of a sherry drinker, but Christy talked me into it. Besides, there is a Sherry revivial going on.
So this is a fino, which are dry and pale in color and made from the Palomino grape. 
Sherry is associated with the British people, and they have had a passion for the wine since 1587, when the Spanish Armada was crippled, its stores were sacked, and Sir Francis Drake’s fleet made off with the equivalent of 180,000 cases of Sherry. Shortly thereafter, Shakespeare’s Falstaff was toasting the wine as “sherris sack.” The region is named for the town of Jerez de la Frontera, the frontier in question being the frontier that, from 1264 to 1492, formed the barrier between the ruling Moors and the rest of Iberia. It must have been an inebriated Englishman, drunker than Falstaff, who mispronounced “Jerez” as “Sherry.” - See more at: http://www.winesfromspainusa.com/regions/andaluc%C3%AD#sthash.0Cebc04L.dpuf
To learn something about the specifics of  "En Rama" I suggest reading this article from Peter Liem in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Sherry is associated with the British people, and they have had a passion for the wine since 1587, when the Spanish Armada was crippled, its stores were sacked, and Sir Francis Drake’s fleet made off with the equivalent of 180,000 cases of Sherry. Shortly thereafter, Shakespeare’s Falstaff was toasting the wine as “sherris sack.” The region is named for the town of Jerez de la Frontera, the frontier in question being the frontier that, from 1264 to 1492, formed the barrier between the ruling Moors and the rest of Iberia. It must have been an inebriated Englishman, drunker than Falstaff, who mispronounced “Jerez” as “Sherry.” - See more at: http://www.winesfromspainusa.com/regions/andaluc%C3%AD#sthash.0Cebc04L.dpufTo learn something about the specifics of  "En Rama" I suggest reading this article from Peter Liem in the San Francisco Chronicle. Indeed, this Sherry is golden yellow. and both Nutty and salty. Visiting friend says round and full.  Served very cold with a cured meat plate.
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Sunday, July 6, 2014

Wines of the Tour Stage 2: Nibali and Old Raj Gin

Where are we: Riding 210 kilometers from York to Sheffield.
Our start town: York was founded by the Romans as Eboracum in 71 AD. It later became the capital of the Roman province of Britannia Inferior, and even later of the kingdoms of Northumbria and Jorvik. In the Middle Ages, York was known as a major wool trading centre and became the capital of the northern ecclesiastical province of the Church of England. Highly recommended: the timelines here.  Specialities from le Tour: THE UK town for chocolate

 Our finishing town: From Yorkshire-england.co.uk:  Sheffield, situated at the point where the River Sheaf meets the River Don is mostly a product of the Victorian age but the surrounding area was important in ancient times.
Sheffield Castle was for many centuries a home to the Earls of Shrewsbury until 1516 when one of the earls built himself a manor house (Sheffield Manor), which has, like the castle, now gone.
Both the castle and the manor, (but mainly the castle) were for fourteen years a place of imprisonent for Mary, Queen of Scots, who was locked up here by Queen Elizabeth I.
Specialities: Henderson's Relish (spicy sauce), Liquorice Allsorts (assortment of liquorice sweets)

Stage preview from Le Tour: The course of this awesome stage looks like a carbon copy of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. This is not your run-of-the-mill start to the Tour, but it is set to be thrilling because the overall favourites will have to avoid being caught napping. I think they will all be in the mix, especially Froome, Contador, Nibali and Valverde. On this terrain, I would rather put my money on them than on Sagan, as the climbs may well be a bit too tough for his taste. All this is to stay that we should expect to see one hell of a fight during the Yorkshire chapter, at least if the best riders are willing to light the fireworks...

 The race: First: Oh, Cav. I think the word gutted works well here. Even this video "interview" with Geraint Thomas and Bernie Eisel is not cheering me up.
Maybe a pretty picture?



No. Not so much. Alas. Meanwhile, off they go and it looks like another day of amazing crowds. Plus, a very interesting route. I'm grateful to NBCSN for showing full stages yesterday and today, though the 3 am wake up is a bit rough. Our break of the day consists of Matthew Busche, Blel Kadri, Perrig Quemeneur, David De La Cruz Melgarejo, Armindo Fonseca, Cyril Lemoine, and Bart De Clerc. Their gap hovered mainly between two and three minutes for a long time, as behind there were many small crashes. At the intermediate sprint point Bryan Coquard  takes the maximum points from the bunch. 
The crowds continue to be out in force, but perhaps need more lessons in staying off of the roads:
It is hard not to be amused by the French decision to add Cote to the names of the climbs See: Cote de Oxenhope Moor. Also: Côte du Blubberhouses. 
Feed zone ahead. In case you have wondered what the riders eat on the road:
85 kilometers to go and the gap was down to 1:35. The peloton seemed to have decided that it was time to wake up. And Jens! appeared to be losing his polka dot jersey as atop Greetland Hill, Lemoine scored two more points for the KOM competition, giving him the virtual lead. 
And suddenly action: Porte dropped, the break was caught with 57 kilometers to go and Kittel and others were dropped from the group. At the front of the group: Kadri and Voeckler. Porte, with some help from Pate and Eisel and some blocking from his teammates in front, made it back. Meanwhile, Kittel flatted.




Kadri reached the top first, followed by Edet and Voeckler. Over the top, Kadri had just over a minute on the peloton, and over three minutes on Kittel. Quickly joining the chasers were Tony Martin and Marcus Burghardt. At the front of the peloton: Cannondale. 36 kilometers to go and all of the racers out front were caught. Shrinking peloton time, with maybe 25 riders left, already. Would this end up a gc battle day after all?


25 kilometers to go and all of the main gc contenders were still there. Lots of hard work from Geraint Thomas at the front of the peloton. Hey, Rolland attacked for KOM points. Shock level very low. 


11 kilometers to go and his gap was around 10 seconds. Nine kilometers to go and the lead group was back together again. And then they hit the "Cote" de Jenkin Road and there were the GC boys, plus Sagan and a few more. Wow did this stage suddenly get fun. Nibali attacked and the chasers hesistated! And he stayed away, although it looked like he could not possibly go slower by the line. Oh, that is a happy thing.

 Stage:Vincenzo Nibali


Wine: Cadenhead's Old Raj Gin
From Frankly Wines

 Christy says: Old Raj has been around forever and is held in regard as one of the premier gins in the world.  The addition of saffron at the last stage of distillation adds a subtle yellow tone and lovely floral notes to the finish. This is the Rolls Royce of gin.
"This is the lower-proof version of the classic Old Raj. Lovely, complex gin bouquet offers aromas of coriander, juniper, anise, orris root, ground pepper, lemon peel, lead pencil, earth and tree bark. Palate entry is creamy, fruity, spicy and minty; midpalate offers layers of botanical complexity over the core juniper taste. Finishes with a wonderful rush of mint and baking spice. Fabulous." 96-100 pts.
Reviewed by: The Wine Enthusiast

 I say:  Why gin?  Because when I think of England and alcohol, gin is one of the first that comes to mind. Also: "Gin craze." Note though, that this bottle is actually Scottish in origin. Plus, some folks at Podium Cafe really think that I should be drinking beer and saving the gin for London. But given my sadness about Cav: gin. Also: yellow for the jersey!

So this gin is infused with saffron, which explains the slight yellow tone. It is the sort of gin that one should probably drink paired with simply an ice cube. My first thought was a Negroni. But instead, I'm drinking an Aviation. Because when you have gin, Luxardo and Creme de Violette at home, it seems the right thing to do.
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Saturday, July 5, 2014

Wines of the Tour: Stage 1: Ridgeview Cavendish and Kittel



Where are we: Heading 195 kilometers from Leeds to Harrogate. Why, yes, like the Giro this year, Le Tour is starting abroad. And not just to challenge my wine picks. Starting abroad helps with increased international exposure for the sport and races, even if in this case, abroad is not very far at all.

Our start town is Leeds:From Leeds Trinity University: Since its first recorded mention in the Domesday Book of 1086, Leeds has been recognised as an important centre of trade for the Yorkshire region. From beginnings as a simple market town in Middle-Ages rural Britain Leeds had, by the Tudor period, established itself as an important merchant town, manufacturing woollen textiles, with continental trading links via the Humber Estuary. At one point as much as fifty percent of England’s total exports passed through Leeds.
My fine friends at Le Tour tell me that the regional specialties are: tea cake, ginger cake (The recipe here looks good).

 Our finish town is Harrogate: From the city website: The Harrogate name can be found as far back as 1332 according to surviving documentary evidence. William Slingsby discovered the first Harrogate mineral well in 1571. Believing it to possess the same qualities as spa water, Tewit Well was likened to Belgium spa waters and was said to have health properties. Dr Bright dubbed Harrogate “The English Spa” in 1596.
 By 1660, the town of Harrogate was expanding rapidly. Public bathing houses soon sprang up around the town. Doctors wrote about Harrogate waters and their health benefits, driving more people to seek medical cures in the town. People came from far and wide to bathe and drink the waters.
Specialities via Le Tour: Tea from Taylors of Harrogate

The route: Le Tour Preview: (A note about these previews: they are written well in advance of the race, so are a better look at what the race director had in mind, than at the actual action.)
The Tour de France will kick off with a road stage instead of a prologue, like in 2013, when its Corsican adventure started with Marcel Kittel pulling on the yellow jersey everyone expected to see on Mark Cavendish's back. The British sprinter is already plotting revenge. First of all, because the Grand Start will take place in Great Britain, on his home turf and in front of his home crowds. Second, because the stage finishes a stone's throw away from where his mother used to live. And finally, because pulling on the fabled jersey for the first time would fit in nicely with his numerous accomplishments. I think he is the odds-on favourite to take this stage with gorgeous landscapes and pancake-flat roads in the final 60 kilometres.

The race: So here we are again: The Tour. As delighted as I am with the fact that NBCSN is showing the complete stages today and tomorrow, 3 am is a hard time to wake up. But still, The Tour!
In case there is any doubt, I'm really hoping for a Mark Cavendish win today. Also, in case anyone is curious, my under-performing fantasy team is bringing a large contingent to the Tour this year: Adam Hansen, Alessandro Petacchi, Bernhard Eisel, Geraint Thomas, Gregory Henderson, Jens! Voigt, Marcus Burghardt, Mark Cavendish, Mark Renshaw, Peter Stetina, Simon Gerrans, and Sylvain Chavanel.
Huge crowds along the roads in Yorkshire, though the "stop and see royalty" bit seems kind of strange. Plus, planes. On the other hand Kate's hair looks good. 


Finally, the flag drops and off they go. The early break: Jens!, Edet and Jarrier. In Northern Ireland, we had pink sheep. Here, yellow. The Podium Cafe folks tell me that, by the way "They're Swales (black face & white eyes). Upland sheep like Swales keep their tails." 


Also on display today: dry-stone walls. Meanwhile, with still over 100 kilometers to go, the break was about three minutes ahead. Jens Voigt takes the intermediate sprint at Newbiggin and kept going, solo. Behind, Coquard wins the field sprint for points. With 97km to go Voigt was solo by 5'14" on the peloton.

The crowds at the Buttertubs climb:


Ooh, following that climb, the peloton has split into several groups. 
I laughed:


But catch him they did with about 60 kilometers to go, but only after he had taken enough points to be in the King of the Mountains (KOM/polka dot) jersey tomorrow. 40 kilometers to go and the peloton was almost all together. 
Excellent chalking skills:


If you remember last year's race, this is funny:


10 kilometers to go and the peloton remained all together. I was nervous. 3.7 kilometers to go and OPQS came to the front. Hey, look Fabian! Oh damn. A crash and Cav went down hard. This did not look good at all. On an initial viewing, it looked like a collarbone injury. More to come.

Stage and Yellow: Marcel Kittel
The wine: 2011 Ridgeview Sparkling Cavendish
From Franklywines

From the producer:
In 1994 we planted our original site at the foot of the South Downs in Sussex. With advice from Epernay we selected 13 French clones of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier on three different rootstocks. This way we can emulate “l’assemblage” of the Champagne Houses that combine together the vintages of small vineyards, thereby creating imaginative blends.
Like the majority of Champagnes, Cavendish is a blend of all three varieties dominated by the red fruits of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
A lovely golden straw colour and exceptionally fine bubbles. The nose is full with hints of red fruits. The pinot dominance brings depth and complexity to the palate with a long lasting finish, whilst the Chardonnay adds finesse and freshness. On early release the Cavendish is quite fruit focussed but will continue to develop more complex biscuit and bready characteristics over time.

More here on sparkling wine in England from Eric Asimov in the New York Times  Also here: "The sparkling wines from Ridgeview Estate near the Village of Ditchling, and from a handful of other producers, are superb and will forever put to rest the notion that England is not capable of making good wine."

I say: My wine choice today was really tempting fate. Because, really Cavendish. But how could I resist?
Very, very bubbly. Like as in pour really, really slowly bubbly.
Straw colored. Long finish. Pears,  apples, , maybe some berries, salt. Is this the best sparkling wine I have ever had? No. But did I very much enjoy it? Yes. 
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