The market was full of delectables. Cheeses of every sort, both local and from other parts of France. Fruits galore, tomatoes and berries from the Midi. Olives and more olives. The most delicious breads. In short a gourmand's dream. We ended up buying enough for our picnic lunch and for our dinner. Fresh veal scallopine, fresh morels (surprisingly reasonably priced), local ham, assorted cheeses, shallots, crème fraîche, and then set out to a wine store for, what else but a couple bottles of Bourgogne. Not just any bourgogne. I felt it only appropriate to find a bottle bearing the Hospice de Beaune label.
These are the wines that are auctioned annually at the Hotel Dieu, a 15th century hospital, now a museum, that has benefitted from the wine auctions for many years. Our plan was to see this fabulous Renaissance building, only a few blocks away, after lunch.Then home to make dinner. Tonight I would chef the entree, veal with morels in a shallot, white wine, ham and crème fraîche sauce with local white asparagus.
And Brett, Françoise, Nancy and Kyrie would pull off all the other culinary tasks. Colman helped keep up and control the fire. It seemed to have a smoking problem, but all things fell into order, and we enjoyed one of those landmark sensory happenings for the mouth and nose in the most pleasant company imaginable. Isn't this what life is all about. Or certainly should be. The reds: a 2005 Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits followed by a 1985 Volnay, Cuvée General Muteau, Hospice de Beaune. Then we hit the marc that Françoise's uncle makes in Alsace from plums, raspberries and (most amazing tasting) from Gewürztraminer. Tomorrow, Sunday, we go northward for a tasting and lunch...
Yum!
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