38 V I K I N G C R U I S E S
Our first stop is Cadillac, a
pleasant riverside town that rises
in tiers of tall yellow houses like a
stray piece of the Mediterranean.
It's topped by a dainty mansion
whose seventeenth-century
architecture set the style we
now associate with French
chateaux. From its terraces, I
squint across the river at the
legendary Sauternes vineyards.
Fortunately, we head there next
for an introduction to the famous
dessert wines produced here.
Viking Foresti has floor-to-
ceiling windows and wide-open top
deck that provides a great outlook
onto passing riverbanks. Next
day, we dock at pretty Libourne
on the Dordogne River. I opt for
the excursion to Château Siaurac,
where we're greeted by Paul
Goldschmidt. e estate is owned
by his wife's family, and Paul seems
scarcely to believe his good luck in
marrying so well.
'We have three vineyards and
one beautiful château, how lucky
we are! And many marvellous
trees, isn't that extraordinary?'
Paul shows us his vineyards
before we taste three of his
wines, all Merlot and Cabernet-
Franc blends. e first is fruity
Place de la Bourse
Saint-Émilion Great Wall ruins
Château Siaurac
