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Clos de Vougeot, Burgundy, France | |
| This lovely museum is in the heart of Burgundy, surrounded by vineyards. | ||
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The Clos de Vougeot is a wonderful excursion from Beaune or Dijon. Equidistant from both (about 20 kilometers/12.5 miles) it's located in the wine region known as the Côte de Nuits, just 5 kilometers (3 miles) north of Nuits-St-Georges along the Route des Grands Crus. (map) The original wine farm was built in the 12th century by monks from a nearby Cistercian abbey. The property was augmented with a Renaissance style château in the 16th century. From the 12th to the 18th century, it was the mother house of the Cistercians and the largest of the Cistercian wine farms.
Today's visitors can wander through the old stone buildings with their steep sloping roofs, and see the original kitchens, the monks' dormitories, antique wine presses, a 12th century well, and other historic artifacts. Perhaps most impressive is the large cellar, dating from the 12th century, which has been transformed into a banquet room. Decorated with vine-strewn hods (baskets used to carry grapes), its fun to imagine a banquet going on, with lots of wonderful Burgundy food and wine.
The Clos de Vougeot is also the headquarter of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, an organization dedicated to promoting the wines and cuisine of Burgundy, as well as preserving traditional festivals and customs and supporting tourism in the region. You'll see their motto emblazoned on the wall of the cellar: Jamais en Vain, Toujours in Vin, "Never in vain, always in wine."More... As part of your visit to the Clos de Vougeot, be sure to watch the excellent video that tells the history of the Clos de Vougeot and the story of the Confrérie. Although some showings may only be in French, you can get enough from the pictures to understand what's going on. After your visit, you can enjoy lunch in the nearby town of Nuits-St-Georges, which has a number of restaurants on the main square of town. Or head up to the tiny town of Gevrey-Chambertin, which boasts more grand cru wines than any other town.
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Above, Statue of a harvester with a bénaton, a traditional basket for carrying grapes, at the Clos de Vougeot.
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