September 4th Day Five: Welcome To The Eastern Townships
Good-Bye Quebec City
It is always hard to say good-bye to a friend and that is what Roy and I felt, when we left Quebec City. We had said our farewells to our new friend on L'Ile D'Orleans the day before as we did to Sharon. One becomes close when dealing in such a concentrated manner for four days but all good things must come to an end. We got up early and were on the road by 8:30 am. We had a two hour trip ahead of us so we had to get out early and stopped only once for coffee on the way up.
A Veritable Garden of Scenery, History, Wine and Cuisine
The Eastern Townships are a veritable garden of adventures for the tourist and/or film maker.
In many ways it reminded me of Styria---that gorgeous part of Austria that is the preamble to the Alps. The area is dotted with mountains, many lakes and rivers, little villages and forested areas. The wildlife is diverse. Here the churches are many----some very ornate and the history very pronounced. One had to be careful of the many bicyclists and riders who frequented back roads as well as pedestrians who were not afraid to walk a few kilometres.
The history of the area goes back to the 18th Century where it was settled by the British and then the French, Dutch, Swiss, Belgians, Polish and Germans. It is most definitely French Canadian now and very colourfully so.
Our destination was Magog, a city in southeastern Quebec, just 75 miles (12o kls) east of Montreal. Just prior to the reaching the city we took a back road to an old woolen mill near a small village called Ulverton. The area was settled by British Empire Loyalists around the beginning of the 19th century. The mill, complete with fully functional equipment for the processing of wool and took a few clips of the roaring rapids and the mill itself. We also were impressed with the covered bridge that spanned the creek/river the was responsible for the waterfall. I said to myself, "This must be a great Halloween vista!"
Getting back on the highway, we then made our way to Magog where we met Danie Beliveau at the hotel we were going to say in called the Estrimont Suites & Spa. We registered and then went to the "Fete des Vendages" which was a wine, cider, food, gourmet food, cheese, children's entertainment, music and celebrations in Magog. The celebrations took place near the scenic beauty of Lake Memphremagog and spilled over to the Main Street of the city. I particularly enjoyed the wine, cider, beer and liquor tent sponsored by the SAQ, which was the equivalent of the LCBO of Ontario. Many of the wineries and cideries that we were going to visit in the future were there and we also tried other products that were not on our agenda.
We also visited the "Cafe de village de Cantons-de-l'Est" which were a select group similar to the "Cafes de pays" in France. Located throughout the Eastern Townships they commonly served good coffee and an excellent, healthy menu.
We also visited the singing entertainment area and were treated to rock music via the "Troublemakers" and the harmonic songs of "A Voix Basses". As we moved down toward the food areas we looked upon a sand sculpture of a somewhat large "Jabba The Hut" type which was excellently done.
We then made our way to the city where we met with absolutely beautiful Pauline Larouche the Director General of the festival which was started in 1993 by that grand winery Cep D'Argent.
Pauline and I shared a lovely glass of Sparkling l'Orpailleur wine and discussed the great festival in an interview.
After the meeting Danie parted company with us as we made our way back to the Estrimont. We later met with her at the Estrimont dining area to have a meal made up of the tasting menu of the "fete de Vendages". The wine of the night was l'Orpailleur.
After the delicious meal that included great soup, jumbo shrimp, veal salad, venison and dessert, we said our goodbyes and went to our rooms. We did not see Danie again after that, unfortunately, but were grateful for her assistance and work on making up the itinerary.
This was a super day with super wines. It was a full day but one that was full of new experiences and great taste!!!
End of Day Five
The history of the area goes back to the 18th Century where it was settled by the British and then the French, Dutch, Swiss, Belgians, Polish and Germans. It is most definitely French Canadian now and very colourfully so.
Our destination was Magog, a city in southeastern Quebec, just 75 miles (12o kls) east of Montreal. Just prior to the reaching the city we took a back road to an old woolen mill near a small village called Ulverton. The area was settled by British Empire Loyalists around the beginning of the 19th century. The mill, complete with fully functional equipment for the processing of wool and took a few clips of the roaring rapids and the mill itself. We also were impressed with the covered bridge that spanned the creek/river the was responsible for the waterfall. I said to myself, "This must be a great Halloween vista!"
Getting back on the highway, we then made our way to Magog where we met Danie Beliveau at the hotel we were going to say in called the Estrimont Suites & Spa. We registered and then went to the "Fete des Vendages" which was a wine, cider, food, gourmet food, cheese, children's entertainment, music and celebrations in Magog. The celebrations took place near the scenic beauty of Lake Memphremagog and spilled over to the Main Street of the city. I particularly enjoyed the wine, cider, beer and liquor tent sponsored by the SAQ, which was the equivalent of the LCBO of Ontario. Many of the wineries and cideries that we were going to visit in the future were there and we also tried other products that were not on our agenda.
We also visited the "Cafe de village de Cantons-de-l'Est" which were a select group similar to the "Cafes de pays" in France. Located throughout the Eastern Townships they commonly served good coffee and an excellent, healthy menu.
We also visited the singing entertainment area and were treated to rock music via the "Troublemakers" and the harmonic songs of "A Voix Basses". As we moved down toward the food areas we looked upon a sand sculpture of a somewhat large "Jabba The Hut" type which was excellently done.
We then made our way to the city where we met with absolutely beautiful Pauline Larouche the Director General of the festival which was started in 1993 by that grand winery Cep D'Argent.
Pauline and I shared a lovely glass of Sparkling l'Orpailleur wine and discussed the great festival in an interview.
After the meeting Danie parted company with us as we made our way back to the Estrimont. We later met with her at the Estrimont dining area to have a meal made up of the tasting menu of the "fete de Vendages". The wine of the night was l'Orpailleur.
After the delicious meal that included great soup, jumbo shrimp, veal salad, venison and dessert, we said our goodbyes and went to our rooms. We did not see Danie again after that, unfortunately, but were grateful for her assistance and work on making up the itinerary.
This was a super day with super wines. It was a full day but one that was full of new experiences and great taste!!!
End of Day Five
posted by Chuck Byers - Wine Consultant | 3:19 PM
<< Home