What the Focus

Olive Oil Tasting in Mallorca

We had a fantastic time on an olive plantation this week, helping our dear friend celebrate her birthday! Aubocassa is a place with a long and interesting history, dating back to the 13th century. Located just outside the city of Felanitx, the site was originally named Albocásser, derived from the Arabic words Albu-Kasi (father of Kasi).

Long ago, it was a safe haven, offering food, water, shelter and a place to worship regardless of religion. There were originally two palms standing over the building, indicating food and water to passersby.

The Renaissance chapel (which is being restored) ….the owner’s dogs run freely on the property and love to accompany the tours!

Like many estates, Aubocassa changed hands many times, going from local ownership to nobility, before it was subdivided and portions were sold off. The current owners originally intended to plant vines to produce wine, but after soil analysis they decided to plant olive trees instead.

The olives are harvested early, when they are still green, to extract the most nutrients from the fruit

Our tour guide, Patricia, was so knowledgeable and entertaining. We learned so much about the history and process of making olive oil, and much more. The nearby village of Petra, for example, sent missionaries to California, where they established missions all along the coast.

The best part, of course, was tasting the smooth and silky, unfiltered Aubocassa olive oil. It just sings in your mouth! And then we got to taste some of the wines that the owner produces on the mainland, in Rioja and the Ribera del Duero. We went wine tasting in that area last year but did not find his particular vineyard, unfortunately. The wines were all very good.

We especially liked the Roda I and Corimbo I.

Patricia reading out the description of the Circión, “the crown” of the wines (and not cheap).

We are so lucky to have discovered this place …. and to have made a new friend on the island!

From Bored to Bordeaux

This year, I decided to celebrate my birthday in France! I wanted to do something special: a pampering at Les Sources De Caudalie Spa. The Caudalie line derives much of its ingredients from grapes, and supposedly they are loaded with anti-aging properties. So what better place to treat myself than somewhere with a spa AND a vineyard!

We touched down in Bordeaux on Easter Sunday, and after a lovely lunch in a brasserie in the city, we made our way to Martillac. It was a beautiful drive, and we had an interesting welcoming committee just before arriving at the hotel.

Animal Farm Welcome

The spread that greeted us was a trifecta of splendor: Hotel+Spa+Winery.

And as if that isn’t enough, there is a Michelin restaurant on the premises (where I enjoyed my birthday dinner). The meal was outstanding, but the carafe and pouring of the wine almost stole the show.

Our sommelier

The Chateau Haut Lafitte vineyard is just across the street from the hotel, beyond a whimsical statue of a hare (aptly named “Hospitality”). The owners’ private wine cellar is amazing, located underneath the tasting room. The wine we tried was divine, but unfortunately they don’t ship to Mallorca so we did not end up buying any.

Chateau Haut Lafitte Private Cellar

If it’s good enough for the King and Queen, it’s good enough for us!

Our next stop was Saint Émilion, a charming little town surrounded by something like 900 vineyards! We had lunch at Logis de la Cadène, the oldest restaurant in the town (1848!) and also a Michelin restaurant. The dishes were so creative and tasted every bit as good as they looked!

Our first wine tasting was one kilometer outside Saint Émilion at Chateau Franc Mayne, where we learned all about “Grand Cru Classé.” It is a prestigious classification that started in Saint Émilion in the 1950s. The vineyard sits on a limestone plateau and its cellar is an old stone quarry, where stone was extracted centuries ago to build houses, chateaux and churches in the surrounding area.

Our second wine tasting was at Chateau Fonplégade, where we were referred to by a member – it is a private vineyard owned by an American, Denise Adams, who has managed to infiltrate the wine culture in France. The vineyard is named for the 13th century fountain that sits above the chateau, and which has not run out of water since it was built! The vineyard is not only organic – it is biodynamic – a form of agriculture that aims to improve the earth to a better condition than when it first began to be farmed. It is based on ideas developed by Rudolph Steiner, the first person to introduce organic agriculture. (He also established the Waldorf Schools and Anthroposophical medicine. I have studied Anthroposophy and his ideas are very esoteric.)

Our tour of the property was so much fun, and very educational. The wine tasting was spectacular, and we left wanting more and hoping to return for a harvest so we can meet the proprietor!

Our last two days were spent in Bordeaux. It is such a beautiful city! We shopped, drank great wine, ate fabulous food, admired the architecture, and basically soaked in that famous “je ne sais quoi” that is France.