Page 201 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL FALL 2020 South Africa

Bourgogne wines have a long and rich history
spanning 2,000 years with the best grapes grow-
ing between Dijon and Beaune. They are a legacy
of the Benedictine and Cistercian monks who
planted many vines in the Middle Ages.
The most influential abbey of the region was
that of Cluny. Founded in 910, it reached its height
of power in the 11th and 12th centuries when it
was the “mother house” for over 1,000 monaster-
ies reaching from Portugal to Scotland.
Today, only a fractional 8% of the once huge
abbey complex remains yet it still feels imposing
and impressive. Numerous monastic buildings are
spread throughout town but with a tablet and 3-D
technology in hand from the platform of the Tour
des Fromages (named because cheese was stored
in the tower during the 19th century) I can visual-
ize the abbey how it would have looked in the 12th
century.
From up high, I can see far into the Burgundy
landscape and much closer, locals sitting in front
of small bistros, with delicious food and a glass of
local wine in hand. They all look relaxed as if none
of them ever has to return back to work, simply
enjoying life, at the pace of a snail - not a bad thing
at all.
www.burgundy-tourism.com

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