Gourmet luxury travel - Malaysia and the world
Words: Kirsten Durward Photos: Monica Tindall During our wonderful weekend residing at the Chateau Fieuzal near Leognan, south of Bordeaux, we were able to snatch a few hours to discover what other delights the surrounding countryside held. It’s hard to mo…
Words: Kirsten Durward Photos: Monica Tindall Visiting Chateaux in Bordeaux has been a revelation and not at all what we expected. Many houses are actually quite young businesses, and both new and established labels are investing heavily in a forward-looking c…
Chateau Cos D’Estournel, Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux Words: Kirsten Durward Photos: Monica Tindall Chateau Cos D’Estournel is one of the oldest and most respected producers in Bordeaux. Known as one of the ‘super seconds, the premium wine produced at Chateau …
Wine and Cognac Paired Dinner Words: Kirsten Durward Photos: Monica Tindall We are being exquisitely hosted at the elegant Chateau Lamothe-Bergeron by Chateau director and wine maker Laurent Mery, who epitomizes Gallic charm while also teaching us a little ab…
Words: Kirsten Durward Photos: Monica Tindall Our arrival to the Chateaux Lamothe-Bergeron could not have been better. We are greeted with a simple and charming dejeuner au champetre, with Pyrenees cheeses, saucisson froid, fruits d’ete, baguette, ril…
Words: Kirsten Durward Photos: Monica Tindall Monica and I delighted in a petit sejour in Cognac and the surrounding countryside courtesy of H Mounier and Hardy Cognac. Our journey here began one afternoon in Rendez-Vous, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur where we met t…
Words: Kirsten Durward Photos: Monica Tindall Once again we are enjoying the company of two entertaining French gentlemen for dinner. Tonight’s companions are the humorous Jean-Luc Lebault, who has recently joined H. Mounier to lead their travel retail div…
Words: Kirsten Durward Photos: Monica Tindall As part of our discovery of Cognac, we are enlightened on the importance of the barrel in the development of the spirit. Barrel making is an ancient art around the world and barrels are used for the development of ma…
La Gabarre Dame-Jeanne Words: Kirsten Durward Photos: Monica Tindall There are few more pleasant ways to while away an afternoon than to spend a few hours on a boat. Whether sea, lake or river, time on the water is one of my favourite pastimes. Learning more ab…
Words: Kirsten Durward Photos: Monica Tindall Set on the banks above La Charente, with views cascading down through verdant green trees this charming residence captures our imaginations from the moment we catch sight of it. Originally a folly from the 19th Ce…
Words: Kirsten Durward Photos: Monica Tindall As the Michelin Guide has not reached Malaysia it’s not often that we eat in starred restaurants, so we’re already excited before even arriving at La Ribaudiere in Bourg Charentes. But fine dining or not, anyone …
H. Mounier and Hardy with Cellar Master Mickaël Bouilly, Cognac Words: Kirsten Durward Photos: Monica Tindall We’ve been promised a visit to ‘Paradise’ to meet some of the oldest eaux-de-vie in existence, but first we are shown around the production plant and re…