13 August 2009
A little after 7am: rolls of mist over La Loire Like Tuesday morning once again there was early morning mist over the valley but this time even more precisely over La Loire and a vivid illustration of why Simon's grapes in his vineyard at Saint-Sulpice, especially the Viognier, are affected by noble rot in the autumn. If Simon's wife, Isabelle, allows him to plant more vines (probably Pinot Gris) in the spare plot at Saint-Sulpice we may see the first SGN wines from the Côte Roannaise!
Looking south east 
Mist precisely over the LoireThe chapel@the Domaine du Fontenay
Before we left to head across to the Côte d'Auvergne we had a quick look at the Domaine du Fontenay's private chapel. It was blessed by the Archbishop of Lyon on 12th May 1855. l'Authentique, one of the domaine's cuvées, is inspired by this event.
Some of the paintings on the wall 
We then set off for a leisurely across country from the Côte Roannaise to Saint-Germain-Lembron in the Côtes d'Auvergne. It was a lovely drive along quiet roads through varied hilly country – some forested and some pasture.
Our route from Villemontais to Saint-Germain-Lembron.
We had plenty of time as the only appointment I had was with Annie Sauvat in Boudes at 4pm. On the edge of Cunlhat we found a good lunch stop at a plan d'eau with benches and picnic tables.
Annie Sauvat and Michel Blot
