Carcassonne and the Hotel de la Cite. Home to the Oldest Sparkling Wine

“There has been fraud,” said the president of a criminal court in Southwest France. The fraud was done by several French producers against E. & J. Gallo, big U.S. traders. I salute the court because I know how seriously the French take their wine and it shows in every wonderful bottle I’ve had.

The news came out of Carcassonne, one of the most delightful cities in France. Its hilltop castle is just amazing. The street small and filled with shops and restaurants and one of the best hotels I’ve stayed in. The Hotel de la Cite was once a Bishop’s Palace and today is an Orient –Express run treasure all within the walls. The region is also known for Blanquette de Limoux, the oldest sparkling wine in the world. Wine fraud isn’t appreciated there!