Relaxing - Part 2

It's quite cold up here in the mountains. Luckily, the heating is working. Today the weather is fantastic again. The sun is blazing from the sky and our desire for .... hiking is limited today as well. Micha is already feeling like it, Schahaatz is not sure yet if he wants to, and I have to keep Ira company at the pool.

The guys eventually decide to go on a little tour

and I decide to do aqua jogging in the pool (some exercise during the day is necessary).

At some point, the clouds crawl over the mountains and block the sun, and then it gets really cold. 🥶

But what should we do with the rest of the day?

What do you think can be done in a famous wine region? Right, a wine tasting.

So let's go, the Chai de Cilaos is just 3 minutes away.

A wine cellar with wines made from locally grown grapes.

When asked by Schahaatz, the Reunion-Frenchman behind the bar, who speaks a little English, offers us to try some wines. We decide on white wine. The first noble drop goes into the glasses. I estimate less than 1 cl moistens the glass. Thanks to our wine sensory seminar, Schahaatz and I can immediately apply our acquired knowledge. Clear appearance, fruity smell of grapes, a slight tingling in the back of the mouth indicates some apple acidity in the wine. So early harvested. A light, dry white wine that doesn't hurt anyone.

The second one is a rosé. The amount in the glass doesn't increase. Analysis: Clear appearance without any faults, a strong pink color and smells like strawberries. In terms of taste, it's rather acidic and flat and doesn't taste like anything, definitely not like strawberries.

No, it fails unanimously.

The third wine would have been a sweet white wine, but it looked so cloudy that we didn't want to try it.

The last bottle is an aperitif. Goutali

The nose of Goutali has rich notes of sour cherries, raspberries, and a hint of vanilla.

On the palate, it is pleasantly sweet, with a finish of sugarcane and raspberry aromas. (excerpt from the website).

I thought the Reunion-Frenchman said that it is available based on rum and in a more noble version with cognac.

The one we were allowed to try definitely tasted like rum pot without fruits.

(All in all, our first host Patrick had already noted that the wines from the island do not produce outstanding products. He was right. Nevertheless, it was enough for a fun evening.)

After 5 minutes and 13€ poorer,

but richer by one bottle of wine (the first one convinced all of us), we head to the supermarket to buy a corkscrew. Yesterday, Micha had to open a bottle with a knife and his teeth.

Loaded with baguette, wine, and a corkscrew, we return to the hotel.

With tomatoes, onions, olives, cheese, sausage, and baguette (all the leftovers we had), we enjoy our new wine with Micha on our balcony and with Ira in her room.

Our last dinner in Cilaos takes place at La Marmite Du Cap

In Cilaos, most restaurants have the charm of a canteen. Nothing pretty or stylish. For example, the restaurant in the hotel has chairs like those in Greece or Spain in the 70s - totally ugly and uncomfortable.

But back to today's restaurant. Actually, we don't go to empty restaurants. But this one is ranked 3rd on Tripadvisor. (The one in 1st place only opens tomorrow, and the 2nd one is a snack bar and closes at 6:00 pm) and

it was soooooooooo delicious.

We end the evening at the hotel with Dodo and wine.