Without moderation (to hell with Mr. Evin!), this Patron Saint of the vineyards will be honored every weekend from January until February 14th (Valentine’s Day!). Last weekend, CHATEAU BRANE CANTENAC was present!

Every year since 1995, Le Lion d’Or has been celebrating its neighboring wine-growers and owners, by organizing Les Rencontres de la Saint-Vincent at its restaurant throughout January and until Valentine’s Day. Brane was in the spotlight on January 16th and 17th!

First, there was a preparatory weekend in Margaux, in late November. You can read the detailed report on Le Lion d’Or’s blog, Sapere.com. There was a lovely visit organized by Kinette Gauthier and a report together with photos by Mrs. Clément.

Here is an extract: “Vineyards are stamped with man’s will” – a statement by Henri LURTON who, since 1992, has been overseeing the finest bench of large-sized gravel within the Margaux appellation called “the plateau of Brane”. Here, time is at work. Patience, humility and perseverance: no ostentatious effects, just the bare essentials! Like the lights filtered by long wooden screen walls that lead to the cellar, the teams supervise and protect the wine, which is maturing like a language to be deciphered. And what a language! The cabernets are stylized, arrogant, precise; the merlots smoothly reveal their depth while the structure, cunningly designed, is a model of fruity architecture.

Then, last weekend, Henri Lurton went to Romorantin for a magnificent dinner organized by the chef, Didier Clément, who pairs wines and enjoys playing on variations of the Sologne region’s flavors. This original cuisine, eminently delicious, is a unique way for connoisseurs to revisit this lovely region in central France. Its secret: the art of understanding nature to produce surprising dishes. Its specialities include the “bar bazar”, sea bass with briar honey, and Challandais duck mixed with cocoa and malagueta pepper.