Ramblings of a Bordeaux buff

“Lovers of Bordeaux wines will surely know that the town of Blaye is the true heart of Bordeaux. Perhaps that is why in 1999 I fell in love with Villa St Simon – the beautiful 1860 Maison de maitre – in the heart of Blaye.”

Leslie Kellen

Les bought the property 16 Rue St Simon and spent the next two years bringing the interior back from rubble and animal-shed to its former beauty. Restoration is a never-ending love affair and it continues – every year revealing a bit more of the original masterpiece.

Les’ love for wine is only overshadowed by his passion for people and in August 2003 he launched his hospitality enterprise – Villa St Simon – providing B&B accommodation primarily for English speaking, Bordeaux wine appreciators. Substantially furnished with antiques, the villa ambiance is authentic 19^th century French living and the mood casual and homey.

Les’ passion for the wines of Bordeaux has opened many doors and guests enjoy the entrée this brings to vignerons, chateaux and tastings. He also coaches wine appreciation – casually over tastings in the villa cellar most evenings and formally through Blaye Wine Academy by appointment.

Wine culture permeates the villa in décor and substance. Suites are named after local chateaux and the breakfast room is a showcase of local wines that guests may purchase at privileged prices. Often a winemaker will join guests and friends in the villa cellar – to talk about the making and the taste of the essence of Bordeaux.

In October 2006, with the help of Internet-savvy friends, the Villa St Simon website was launched.

What a delight to discover how many people from all over the world are drawn to Bordeaux – often because of the wines but also for the food, markets, weather, history, culture and sheer beauty of the vineyards and chateaux. Today Les’ vision is a reality. The Villa Guest Book tells the story – Villa St Simon is indeed Home from home in Bordeaux to hundreds of visitors every year.

Extract from Blaye newsletter         April 2009

All living is meeting – so said Martin Buber. We have it written on the chalkboard in the tasting room here in Villa St Simon. If all living is meeting, then meeting with wine is living well.

Here in the midst of the many unsung heroes of Blaye vineyards, we are lucky to live very well indeed. With attention fixated on the famous chateaux of left-bank Medoc, here, just across the river, the jewels of Cote de Blaye and Cote de Bourg are still a best-kept secret – much to the pleasure of our palates and the advantage of our pockets.

Of course there are wiser ones, including actor Gerard Depardieu who has three hectares in Blaye where he produces the superb “Confiance”.  At around €40 it is clearly not one of Blaye’s most affordable wines but certainly it is one of its best wines. Only around 3000 bottles of this wine are produced each year hence the higher than usual price for a Cote de Blaye.

It is perhaps not so well known that wines on the right bank of the Gironde, were produced as early as the 12^th century, while the commencement of production of wine in the Medoc only began in the 17^th century. Blaye and Bourg are therefore part of Bordeaux’s oldest wine traditions.

2005 Is probably the best vintage in this area for around 50 years and 2006 is not that far behind. Informed Bordeaux wine lover who are also wine investors tell me that Cote de Blaye and Cote de Bourg wines bought “in primeur” bring better returns than even the first growths of the Medoc – you decide.

Names to look for

In Blaye:

Chateau Bellevue Gazan                  Chateau Cantinot                        Chateau Raz Caman

Chateau Chasserat                            Chateau Neuve                           Chateau Monconseil

In Bourg:

Chateau Rouselle                                Chateau Civrac                           Chateau  Nodoz

Well made organic wines are also to be found in this region, but more about these another time.

April 2007