You may recognize the funny green man we lovingly call “Arti” – he hangs around Artizone’s offices, rides along in delivery trucks and sometimes helps put together your Artizone deliveries. Recently, we decided that Arti should get out and not only see more of the city, but the world too! So we helped him pack his suitcase, kissed him goodbye and sent him leaving on a jet plane. This week, we continue Arti’s travels in Bordeaux, France.
Note: Arti wants to go with you, too! Keep reading to find out how you can take Arti with you around town or on vacation, and how to submit your adventures with Arti!
Arti Wines & Dines in Bordeaux
Arti loves wine (especially when it’s delivered to his door from Dallas Fine Wines), so a quick trip to Bordeaux, France was the perfect summer getaway! Its Fall-like temperatures, slow pace of life and never-ending bottles of wine were just what Arti needed to escape.
Arti started his day at Château Rauzan-Ségla in Margaux, a sub-region of Haut-Médoc. During his 90-minute tour of the estate, Arti learned that many châteaus in the area filter out the remaining bottom sediments in each barrel using egg whites! After the barrels are nearly emptied, egg whites are beaten in a large bowl and poured onto the top of the wine. The static electricity from the beaten egg whites attracts the fine sediments, and the egg whites and sediments are scraped off the top, leaving a sediment-free barrel of wine.
What do they do with the egg yolks, you ask? Arti found out! Legend has it they are used to make Bordeaux’s regional dessert, Cannelé Bordelais.
Arti’s morning appointment worked up his appetite, so he stopped at La Gare Gourmande in Margaux for lunch. It may be small, but the food was mighty! The restaurant’s owners visit the local market each morning to purchase the day’s freshest products, and the daily set menu changes based on what is available.
Arti’s lunch of pork, fresh vegetables and potatoes in a creamy curry sauce
For dessert, a raspberry creme-filled shortcake covered with strawberries in sauce and vanilla bean whipped cream
After lunch, Arti continued to visit two more local estates to learn more about how each produces their different wines – Château Gruaud-Larose in St. Julien and Château Pontet-Canet in Pauillac.
Old wine in the cellar of Château Gruaud-Larose
Finally after a long day of sipping and walking through vineyards, Arti headed back to his hotel for some rest and grape-filled dreams.
Stay tuned for another Arti’s Adventures next week, when he goes to Galway, Ireland!
Do you want to take Arti with you on your next adventure? Click here to download a cut-out of Arti. Snap pictures of Arti and send his adventurous stories to us at [email protected]… we may post them here, on the Artizone Blog!
