August 18. We went to the Chateau Giscours for a elegant dinner and wine event for the World Cruise travelers.  The chateau dates back to the 14th century and in 1552 the first vines were planted.  Later it was transformed into a neoclassical palace with modern production facilities that continues to produce wines that are among the highest ranked in the world.  We were greeted by a 4 piece jazz ensemble and wine and hors d’oevres outside.

Norm in the vineyard

outside the chateau

We then went in to tour the winery and were treated to music by this old music box, which used wooden music sheets!

Here’s our menu, we had the main dish, a cheese plate and then dessert, with a wine pairing with each course.

A wonderful evening. We had a guide with us and she was telling us about how they harvest the grapes.  She said that they bring in people from Poland to do it because “the French, they last one day, then they disappear!”

August 19

Today we did a 5 mile walk all through the city, it was a beautiful morning. We went to the beautiful gardens and all through the 17 and 18th century neighborhoods.  They have trams here that run on electricity from underground – no wires.  They are so quiet that you have to be careful not to be on the tracks because you cannot hear them coming.  The river we are on is the Garonne.  The tides are so variable that they need to move the gangway at low and at high tide.

We then did a tour to Fort Medoc, a 17th century fort that was designed to protect the Gironde estuary against any British invasions and it was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008.  Very interesting.

one of the buildings of the old fort

We then visited the Chateau Lannesan, a family owned estate built in 1878 that produces wonderful wines, which we tasted.  We bought 3 bottles of 1997 wine for 9 euros each – a special for our tasting.  Unbelieveable!

We ended the day sitting out on the terrace of the ship for dinner, feasting on fresh mussels, sea bream which they grilled out on the deck for us and other French specialties – all while watching the people running, walking, and just enjoying the lovely evening. Sailed away under that same drawbridge, which opens for an hour to allow us to pass under it.

A wonderful two days in Bordeaux – we’d come back!