Tag Archives: st emilion

Just back from the autumnal delights of the Bordeaux region where every other house is a château and even the most minute pocket of land is given over to the vine. We were staying at the wonderful Château Rigaud, owned and run by dream team Anna and Aib and where you feel as though you’re a guest at an intimate house party rather than an impersonal hotel; there are no numbers on doors or reception staff – you just help yourself to drinks at the bar, stroll about checking out what the brilliant chef Steve is planning for dinner, eat way too much and generally have a fabulous time.
There was a purpose though you understand – it’s not all play – we were the first guests to try out their Bread and Wine Weekend. We learnt to make fougasse, sour dough and pizza which we cooked in the wood-fired oven in the vegetable garden surrounded by just-turning vines and ate with new best mates – our fellow guests. The ‘slap and tickle’ is a method for kneading the dough by the way, taught to us by Steve and fellow chef, Peter – highly recommended as a form of strenuous exercise or a way of getting rid of pent-up aggression! Afternoons were spent visiting St Emilion or Sauternes (apparently they’re quite famous for wine…) before we came back for truly memorable feasts which were matched with wines from Bordeaux. Back to earth with a bump last night though when we came home to a bare fridge and ended up eating fish fingers and peas…

Autumn at Chateau Rigaud

Autumn at Chateau Rigaud

The staff at Chateau Rigaud

Guests at Chateau Rigaud

Guests bread making at Chateau Rigaud

Fantastic food at Chateau Rigaud