I Moan for the Rhone

We explored the L'Ermitage/Hermitage and Tournon-sur-Rhone region today on foot...every hill appeared covered in wine vines set at impossible angles...Napa's a slacker by comparison.  L'Ermitage ("hermet") is one of southern France's oldest wine regions, with royal production starting around the 16th century, but traceable back to the 1400s or so.    We clopped down medieval cobblestone alleys, climbed a 16th century castle & towers, crossed the Rhone on the world's first suspension foot bridge, and tasted slippery varietals at M. Chapoutier, a local Ermitage winemaker whose vineyards are open for exploring, no appointment needed--just walk into the dirt at your leisure--the vines are everywhere.

Photos: looking north up the Rhone toward Crozes-Hermitage; vines on rocky soil above Tournon; my favorite girl creeping into the vines at M. Chapoutier; Chapoutier vines up close with their purple grapes, and in the distance, more vines up the hill; more vines; favorite girl looking Hollywood atop the Le Chateau de Tournon, a castle and prison dating back to 1570; another view from the chateau over Tournon; and, finally, one of castle's two guard towers in the background, set in more vineyards.  C'etait fantastique!  Tomorrow: Chateauneuf du Pape et Avignon!

--s