Bourdelais(e?), The Frenchies are here

The train hopped into Hendaye from Donostia, and their I bought a quiche for my journey onwards to Bordeaux. I spoke to the lady in Spanish which she understood well, but replied in French. After asking which country I was in, I found that it was time to switch on the Frenchy Jason that makes no sense.

I was desolated that I could not speak French better, and my mood was a little down since my body felt like it should be hosed down with an extinctor. However, that I was on to a new journey perked me up a bit.

Though I say perked, I was quite unhappy that I would be reduced to a semi mute once again. In Spain, being able to speak to anyone and understand most of what was going on was quite refreshing compared to most of my trip thus far. Communication is such an important and dear part of life that it does leave one stranded among the thickest crowds.

Arriving into Bordeaux, I waited to exit the train, and an older French lady with a bonnet like hat, flowered dress and did up hair and a husband stepped in front briefly, paused, then jumped back and gave me the Frenchiest hand-to-mouth “Pardon!” and please go first gesture. I knew I was definitely in the Frenchy France now.

The wine tour was the one and only goal here, so I will go into it briefly though there is not much to say. We went to two Chateaux (wineries, not castles) that were classified Grand Cru Classe. They were of the 5 level, which is the lowest. However, in Bordeaux, this classification was given to only 61 out of 800 wineries, so that should say alot about the quality... Unfortunately I was disappointed by both of them. They both started you off with a young vine grape which is in any case going to be less tasty. The second wine they both let us taste was of decidedly better quality, though my taste buds aren’t the best, I knew it was better. However, the young vine wine cost 11, and the better one cost 31. Now, for the quality of the young vine in the US, I wouldn’t pay anything more than 2 or 3 USD, and the better one might get at most 10 or a little more. The prices they asked for what they were putting up were a little bit scandalous to me, so I’ve been thinking about the situation.

Could it be that Bordelais wine can be put away and aged to better perfection, and for that reason it costs more? Or perhaps there are subtle flavors that I’m missing? If anyone has any idea I’m all ears. Whatever the case, that night I had a heavy dinner of foie gras and toast, sauteed duck breast with pasta a l’Italienne, and creme brulee, all for 16 (I forgot to ask for tap water and got a 3 euro bottle of evian :P). It wasn’t the top place, but the duck and foie gras pleased me well enough. The creme brulee gets thumbs down for being a jello concoction that was not creamy or smooth, but like consistency of slightly softer jello. I was glad to have a lighter creme brulee though, since a real one would have downed me flat after all the other heavy food I had.