Yesterday the Tour started officially with the 1st stage, because the prologue is a time trial and not considered specifically a “stage,” which took almost 200 riders from Rotterdam to Brussels, Belgium. Yeah, the Tour de “FRANCE” is still not yet in the country it is named after.
Though the northerly latitudes and colder climate makes it tough to grow vines in Belgium, it seems recent climate warming trends have improved their capabilities to do so. However, winegrowing in the country is nothing knew as Romans planted vines in the country realizing its early potential. Then, along came Napoleon who had all Belgian vines burned or taken out during his rule in an effort to remove competition for his wines. The four DOC regions established in the late 90′s are home to popular varieties like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Muller-Thurgau and Kerner, a descendant of Riesling.
Once again, I think more about beer when I think of Belgium. Chimay Blue anyone? Chimay is one of my favorite beer producers of all, made in the Trappist style named for the monks exiled from France in the 1700′s. These are ales that can be evaluated much like wines in that I get yeasty, fruity and often floral aromas with a distinct “hoppy-ness” that I like.
Chimay Blue
The next stage will still be in Belgium for one more day before the riders finally enter France and end in Reims, one of the capitals of Champagne, at the end of Stage 4. The finale of Stage 2 was quite chaotic in that there were 2 groups of crashes within the last 2-3 kilometers knocking out one, if not the best, sprinter, Mark Cavendish of Team Highroad. He is ok and is still in the race. Instead, Team Lampre’s Alessandro Petacchi took the stage win.
What are your thoughts on Belgian beers?
