Josephine B.
Yelp
As I'm sure most of you would have noticed I'm a foodie, however, what you may not know is that I love a tipple too, and as anybody worth their salt knows a good meal is incomplete with his best lady - an accompanying bottle of wine. So as a treat my gorgeous friends took me out to the Château l'Hospitalet for a little wine tasting. Yea me!
Fergul; the Irish general manager with the French name (irony) was a delight and took me though the grapes, years, soil, region, seasons and of course bottles of plonk. I was completely rubbish and refused to spit out a drop claiming it was just wrong to waste such good wine. My poor form was completely acceptable and it seemed the team were used to such antic anyway.
I was free to wander around the vineyard and the cellar and the whole experience is totally free of charge but of course it's curious to buy so wine, (which you'd be a fool not to) but there is no obligation.
On the site there is also a charming hotel, restaurant and bar that offer jazz evening which in 2004 gave birth to an annual Jazz festival.
I can not wait to return to sample the food and wine combo in the restaurant that has awarded la Château a place in Le Guide Michelin alone with with a number of other acclamations.
The only down side for me is that I only came over with hand luggage so I couldn't buy any wine to bring home. Never mind, that'll learn me! So note to you reader check a bag!!