Food lovers will know that the Dordogne
is one of the most
celebrated
gastronomic regions in
France. Much has been
written
about great food and
wine in France and specifically
from the Dordogne,
famous for
a cuisine rich in wild
mushrooms, game and nuts.
Walnuts appeared in the Cro Magnon
man's diet and were traded like
gold until
the thirteenth century. From gateau aux noix, vin de noix,
to
the toasty walnut oil drizzled on salads, the walnut remains
a key ingredient to many superb dishes.
This Vagabond Gourmet adventure is all about the food and
preparing a cuisine as rich and noble as its history.
September 3-9, 2008 and September 10-16, 2008
Cost: $2,950.00 per person Double Occupancy, Exclusive of Airfare and Car Rental
•
6 Night Private
Ensuite Lodging
•
All Meals & Unlimited Wine
•
Chateau Beynac Tour
•
Dinner at Edward I
•
Chateau les Merles Lunch
•
Cahors Wine Tours & Tastings
•
Enchantee Le Source Bleu Lunch
•
Hands on Cooking at Le Prieuré
•
Private Chef Lessons
•
Market Days & Artisan Producers
TRAVEL ICONS
Perigord’s Crown Jewels
Perigord Noir, in Dordogne, is a land of fairy tales, enchantment, breathtaking scenery, truffles, chanterelles, duck confit, foie gras and deep ruby red wines. The Dordogne is ancient France and remains one of the most preserved areas away from the bustle of any big cites, its timeless villages are perched high above on limestone cliffs. The crown jewels of the Perigordian food are of course, the duck, truffle and walnuts as they have been for centuries. One famous dish from the Perigord Pie was truly a lavish dish made for royalty with whole truffles tucked inside boned quail with Agen prunes and Sauce Perigueux. We'd modified the recipe, omitting the feather and beaks but retained all the spirit of this noble dish.
Even in a land steeped
with old-world traditions, inventive new cuisine is arriving with
more emphasis on seafood from the coast and the river's fresh water
fish. The celebrated duck and truffle still reign supreme, however
many contemporary twists have arrived. Our cooking classes and
visits to some of the area's best chefs.
On this Vagabond Gourmet culinary adventure we will introduce you to the food and to many people, who are passionate about the old traditions and recipes including the Grande Dame of Perigoridine cuisine.
Medieval Markets
The medieval village of Issigeac weaves along the ancient narrow streets and are packed with vendors offering every product imaginable. Their placement is by no means random, and every vendor earns his spot. They travel from village to village and might not always have the same items. Madame Gisele one of favorites makes her own phyllo for the regional Tourtiere
aux Pommes and pours a double shot of apple brandy in between the buttery layers just before she ties a ribbon on the box.
Founded in 1284 by Edward I of England, Monpazier if the most intact bastide in Dordogne the village has several charming shops, art and antiques. The main square is packed with vendors who travel from village to village selling their artisan foods and handmade crafts. If we are lucky, this is the season for cepes and Monpazier has one of the most important cepe markets in Dordogne.
Cepe gathering is a fascinating and magical tradition because of the elusive habits of the fungus and the people know when the time is near. When you ask a local exactly when the mushrooms will arrive, you’ll get a wink, a smile and told “when the moonlight, forrest, sun and rain are exactly correct”. Only the local villagers are allowed to pick and sell them and often tell stories of vipers in the woods to scare off other mushroom pickers from their favorite spot.
The Black Wine of Cahors
Not far to the south is the Lot valley with its winding river, limestone gorges and vineyards of Cahors. The black wines are reputedly the darkest in the world and legend says their richness makes them the greatest "undiscovered" French wine. It’s been said that men would pour a bit on their shirts to review the stain and determine if the wine had been watered down. Chateau de Chambert produces a deep rich wine with all the "shirt stainer" characteristic of a good Cahors and is our first stop.
To learn about the most noble and ancient red wine we meet some of the producers who shed some light on this hidden gem among French wines. Older than Bordeaux with a reputation for darkness and strength it is the only French red wine to harness the power of the Malbec grape. Clos de Gamot, Siguier, Triguedina and Chateau Gaudou are just a few of the 200 domains in this wine producing powerhouse.
After a tour and visit to the tasting rooms we are off to lunch at le Source Bleu. The hotel was originally three water mills run by the blue spring. They date back to the 11th and 15th century. There is also a restaurant called "La Source Enchantée" which is located in a converted barn with its original beams.
Your Royal Chambers
Circa 1500, Le Prieuré was built as living quarters for six priests who tended the grounds of Chateau de Biron - a gesture that the owner hoped would secure him a place in heaven.
But for six nights, this luxurious estate will serve as your home. Meticulously restored to its ancient glory, the estate features wrought iron gates, original stone walls, a spiral staircase and wood fireplaces. Period antiques, tapestries and works of art complete the medieval ambiance, while deluxe linens, goose feather comforters and pillows ensure guests the ultimate in modern comforts. The ensuite rooms also afford spectacular views of the countryside, with its sweeping vineyards, farmlands and forests.
The village of Biron is simply delightful and lies within the outer walls of the castle. The guest rooms have original fireplaces, beamed ceilings, panoramic views of the countryside, the medieval village and the château The sitting room with stone fireplace and dining room, with its beautiful stone walls and tapestries ooze charm.
Chasing Fairytales
A legend pretends that when God distributed his castles, he started by the Loire Valley. Going far away from there, his bag burst over the Dordogne River and the Perigord region dotting the countryside with countless castles. Well over a hundred to be exact many still lived in.
One cannot help but imagine the smells in the massive kitchens where swords were neatly sheathed at the table's edge and the gigantic cauldrons simmered and bubbled with goose fat and stews. Undoubtedly, the castle cooks were well guarded and we can understand how the origins of this rich cuisine came to be. The preserving of geese for the winters and spreading fat laden rillettes on a slab of bread makes perfect sense after you peer over the ramparts of the Chateaux and envision the climb wearing armor.
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Perigord Noir, in Dordogne, is a land of fairy tales, enchantment, breathtaking scenery, truffles, chanterelles, duck confit, foie gras and deep ruby red wines. The Dordogne is ancient France and remains one of the most preserved areas away from the bustle of any big cites, its timeless villages are perched high above on limestone cliffs. The crown jewels of the Perigordian food are of course, the duck, truffle and walnuts as they have been for centuries. One famous dish from the Perigord Pie was truly a lavish dish made for royalty with whole truffles tucked inside boned quail with Agen prunes and Sauce Perigueux. We'd modified the recipe, omitting the feather and beaks but retained all the spirit of this noble dish.
The medieval village of Issigeac weaves along the ancient narrow streets and are packed with vendors offering every product imaginable. Their placement is by no means random, and every vendor earns his spot. They travel from village to village and might not always have the same items. Madame Gisele one of favorites makes her own phyllo for the regional Tourtiere
aux Pommes and pours a double shot of apple brandy in between the buttery layers just before she ties a ribbon on the box.
But for six nights, this luxurious estate will serve as your home. Meticulously restored to its ancient glory, the estate features wrought iron gates, original stone walls, a spiral staircase and wood fireplaces. Period antiques, tapestries and works of art complete the medieval ambiance, while deluxe linens, goose feather comforters and pillows ensure guests the ultimate in modern comforts. The ensuite rooms also afford spectacular views of the countryside, with its sweeping vineyards, farmlands and forests. 
