The main square in Montpellier even in February theres lots of activity
Their people mover in action, a great way to get around this town of 255,000.

Apparently 50° clears out the square after dinner
Lots to see in this town made for walkers

Wouldn't be France with out a Triumphal arch
Wow the Saint Clément Aqueduct built in the 18th century.

We fell in love with a new wine region (new to us) thanks to our friend bill who along with his wife escaped from Minnesota to southern France.
Bill knows the area well making it very easy to find good producers and their wines.

Robert showing off his new 400mm lens.

Robert likes to spend his birthday in new places this year it's Montpellier France on the way stopped for a couple of days in Menton France just over the border from Italy.

The best view of town is from the old cemetery on top of the hill over looking every thing, not a bad resting place.

Aperitivo on the shore, perfect for a February birthday

Leslie found a great spice shop at the daily market more curry!!!!

Found the smallest, cutest, coolest wine bar on the way to dinner.

Really no photo-shop on this sunrise.
As we were leaving the town was setting up for their annual lemon festival.

We first met Giuseppe last fall at Eataly in Torino. He was pouring his
white wines, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, in the wine shop for
the customers to taste. We liked both of the Whites alot and bought some
that day. Last Friday, we finally made it to the winery and got to taste
all the wines and see the cellar. The winery has been in the family
for many generations and is today run by Giuseppe and his family.

We first tried some tried some young Barbera d'Asti right from the Botte
then finished our tasting upstairs where it was warmer.

Giuseppe's wines are a great example of a gem of winery, along with it's vineyards,
situated outside of the well known zones of Barbaresco and Barolo.
He pours alot of energy and unique ideas into varietals like
Barbera, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvingnon and Chardonnay.
We have found that wineries outside of the Langhe,
when they get it right, like here at Sciorio, the wines are a
tremendous value for the quality. We enjoyed all the wines, but
especially liked the Barbera d'Asti and the Monferrato Rosso(Syrah).
Sciorio does a private label for a restaurant in Portland, OR called
Alba Osteria & Enoteca. A place we are sure to check out next time we are
in Portland. Giuseppe said the food is very authentic Piemontese
which is a rare find in the US.

The cellar is very beautiful and will definitely be on Leslie's list to paint

Enjoying dinner in radda in chianti,near siena the night before we pick up cotta


A very happy chiaro with her new puppy cotta