Terroir Tour: Rhone and Culinary Educator: Bob Bath

itinerary: ® THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA P resented by OCTOBER 17-26 Travel Programs ® 2009 rhone – burgundy itinerary

It is likely that no area of the world is as obsessed with gastronomic pleasure as eastern France. And, consequently, it is the Rhone Valley and Burgundy where one can truly learn the nature of pairing wines with food. Such is the essence of this trip. We will visit some of the greatest wine producers in the world, taste their wines, visit their renowned vineyards, and learn in-depth about the effects of the immediate environment on the distinctiveness of their wines. Throughout the trip there will be a series of exceptional dining experiences, showcasing the regional cuisines and wines and demonstrating the influence of each on the other. Tours of the spectacular medieval cities and local markets will provide a rich context for this culinary mecca.

Day 1: Saturday, October 17 () We will begin our journey in the ancient Provencal city of Avignon. Home of the papacy in the 14th century, intact fortress walls contain a maze of narrow streets winding through its medieval architecture. We will be based at the lovely Hotel d’Europe, a historic mansion dating back to 1580, for three nights. Our tour will begin with a reception at the hotel to get acquainted, and then to Numero 75 for dinner. For those who arrive early and are not suffering from jet lag, we recommend an inspiring stroll through the town. Hotel: Hotel d’Europe, D

Day 2: Sunday, October 18 (Avignon – L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – Avignon) One of the great delights of France are the local markets, and on Sundays, the dreamy village of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue hosts one of the most famous. We will spend the morning wandering among the market-lined streets, examining the incredible array of produce, meats, spices, and herbs that are the basis of the area’s cuisine. After lunch, we will return to Avignon for a tour of the town and the magnificent Palace of the Popes. For dinner, we will dine at the splendid restaurant of the Hotel La Mirande. Hotel: Hotel d’Europe, B, L, D

Day 3: Monday, October 19 (Avignon) The wine part of our tour will begin in grand fashion with a visit to nearby Chateauneuf-du-Papes. The day will be spent at Chateau Beaucastel, Domaine du Pegau, and Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe, three of the most revered wineries of Southern Rhone. We will conclude the day with a dinner and guided tasting of some of the great wines of the region. Hotel: Hotel d’Europe, B, L, D

Day 4: Tuesday, October 20 (Avignon – Ampuis – ) Leaving Avignon, we will head north to spend the day in the lovely village of Ampuis at the base of the famous Cote Rotie, the site of some of the world’s greatest vineyards. We will visit with renowned winemakers Rene Rostaing, Jean Michel Gerin, and Stephan Ogier, and have lunch at Jean Michel’s Bistrot Vin de Sevre. Then, it will be on to Beaujolais, where we will spend the night at Chateau Pizay and sample several of the Beaujolais Crus. This will be an eye-opening experience for those who know only the lesser versions of this appellation’s splendid wines. Hotel: Chateau Pizay, B, L, D

1 2 3 4 Day 5: Wednesday, October 21 (Beaujolais – Beaune) In the morning we will visit with Eric Texier at his 17th century cellar in Charnay. Eric is a brilliant winemaker (and former nuclear engineer), who will provide a depth of understanding of the traditional versus more international styles of wines; how they are made and why, with strong opinions about the results. After lunch, we will proceed to Beaune, the center of Burgundy and, some would say, of the wine world. We will spend three nights at the historic Hotel Le Ceps, which is situated in the middle of town and walking distance from myriad shops and restaurants. That night, we will dine at the home of Becky Wasserman Hone and her husband Russell. Becky is truly the premier exporter in Burgundy, having a portfolio of several of the world’s greatest winemakers, including Jacques-Frederic Mugnier, whose best wines are allocated among collectors like crown jewels. Russell, a marvelous chef and raconteur, will prepare our meal, and M. Mugnier will join us and share a few of his amazing wines with us. This will be a very special event. Hotel: Hotel Le Ceps, B, L, D

Day 6: Thursday, October 22 (Beaune) Russell Hone, one of the area’s most knowledgeable people regarding the history and wines of Burgundy, will spend the day with us touring the Cote d’Or. Wines have been produced along this Golden Slope for 2,000 years successively by the Romans, Benedictine and Cistercian monks, Dukes of Burgundy and, since the French Revolution, a community of great families. We will gain an insider’s view of several of these great wineries and the philosophies of their vignerons. Dinner will be at Ma Cuisine, an intimate but festive icon serving some of the best cuisine in the region. Hotel: Hotel Le Ceps, B, L, D

Day 7: Friday, October 23 (Beaune) After a leisurely morning, we will arrive at Maison Louis Jadot for a memorable experience. We will take a tour through Jadot’s vast cellars running beneath the streets of Beaune, where one passes the bins still containing some of Jadot’s 19th century vintages of Montrachet and Chambertin. Afterward, we’ll be joined for lunch by Jadot’s legendary winemaker, M. Jacques Lardiere, in the adjacent Convent of the Jacobins, which was built in 1477. M. Lardiere will then conduct a tasting of wines from several different vineyards situated near the same village to demonstrate the influence of the specific site on the aromas and texture of the wines. The balance of the afternoon you will be free to wander around the town and have dinner on your own. Hotel: Hotel Le Ceps, B, L, D

Day 8: Saturday, October 24 (Beaune – ) Saturday is market day in Beaune, so we will begin the morning with a stroll through the market, with everyone selecting items for a picnic lunch at the beautiful Chateau Briailles in Savigny-les-Beaune. We will be hosted by Claude de Nicolay-Drouhin, the fourth generation female winemaker at this venerable estate. We will then proceed to Lyon, where we will spend two nights at the Hotel Royal Lyon. You will be free to make your own plans for dinner among the plethora of excellent restaurants. For those who want to experience one of Lyon’s Michelin 3-star restaurants, we can make the arrangements for you.

Day 9: Sunday, October 25 (Lyon) The morning will include a guided tour of the magnificent Old City, just a short walk from our hotel. We’ll have lunch at Les Lyonnaise, one of the top bistros in the city, and leave the afternoon for further walking and shopping. For those who want to shop for some wines, we will accompany you to a couple of superb wine shops. An early farewell dinner will be held at La Tassee, a delightful brasserie famous for its traditional Lyonnaise fare. Hotel: Hotel Royal Lyon, B, L, D

Day 10: Monday, October 26 Departures on your own.

1 2 3 4 Hotel Accommodations Hotel d’Europe: www.heurope.com/intro.php Chateau Pizay: www.chateau-pizay.com/uk/navigation.htm Hotel Le Ceps: www.hotel-cep-beaune.com/uk/navigation.htm Hotel Royal Lyon: www.pariserve.tm.fr/hotel-france/royal-lyon/english.htm

CULINARY EDUCATOR A third generation Californian, Bob Bath was born and raised in Davis, a small town east of the Napa Valley, where he now lives. His interest in wine and food was sparked at the age of 19 while attending college and working summers in fine dining restaurants. Bob passed the Master Sommelier exam in 1993 and is one of 79 people in the U.S. and 130 in the world to achieve this distinction. He has been a key member of the educational arm of the Court of Master Sommeliers, a board member, and a mentor to many potential and current Master Sommeliers.

Over the course of his 25 years of experience in the food and wine trade, Bob has developed and consulted on Wine Spectator Grand Award wine lists, ran National Sales for Shafer Vineyards, and founded two companies, the RLB Wine Group – a sales and marketing consulting business, and Robert Bath Imports – a New Zealand wine import company.

Bob joined the Culinary Institute of America as an adjunct professor in 2004 and teaches a variety of advanced wine programs. He is an ongoing writer for Sante Magazine and the Sommelier Journal, and is a frequent speaker at wine festivals and symposiums around the world. He recently appeared with fellow Master Sommelier Andrea Immer on Fine Living’s show, “Fifty Wines in Fifty States.”

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