July 11, 2006
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Un vin non oublié
A wine not forgotten
English version after the French texts
Garrigues de Provence Photo M. fauquet June 2006
En Juin 1959 un pauvre soldat français ( c ' était moi ) marcher dans les creux et les bosses de cette terre couverte de petits arbres et de buissons : les garrigues de Provence au nord de Nîmes . Il avait à marcher en ligne droite hors des chemins , à la boussole en portant un lourd sac à dos . Il faisait très chaud et le soleil n ' avait aucune miséricorde . La terre de la soif
In June 1959 a poor French soldier ( it was me ) walked over the up and downs of this land covered of small trees and bushes shown on the picture above : the garrigues of Provence at the north of Nîmes . . He had to walk on a straightline through those garrigues out of the lanes with the help of a compass , bearing a heavy backpack . It was hot and the sun had not any mercy . Thirsty land !
Cabrières ( departement du /of Gard France ) Photo MFauquet June 2006
Enfin un petit village nommé Cabrières apparut . Il fut vraiment une bénédiction car il y avait un café . Je bus là le plus délicieux et le plus rafraîchissant vin blanc que je n ' avais jamais bu . Le vin venait d ' une coopérative viticole située dans un village voisin Lédenon
At last a small village called Cabrières appeared . It was a blessing because there was a cafe . I drank there the most delicious and refreshing white wine I had ever drunk . The wine came from a vinerie located in a nearby village , Ledenon .
At the vinery of Ledenon June 2006
Je n ' ai jamais oublié ce vin . Son souvenir était gravé dans ma mémoire . Mais depuis 1959 je n ' ai jamais pu retourner en Provence . C ' est pourquoi cette année quand nous y sommes allés la première chose que je fis fut de retrouver la coopérative de Lédenon . Et je l ' ai trouvée ! C ' était encore le même vin , le même goût , la même fraîcheur et quand je le buvais , 47 ans après , je sentis un courant de brûlante jeunesse couler dans mes veines !
I have never forgotten this wine . It was carved in my memory . But since 1959 I never could go back in Provence . So this year when we went , the first thing I did was to find the vinery of Ledenon . And I found it ! It still was the same wine , the same taste , the same freshness and when I drank it 47 years later I felt a stream of burning youth flowing in my veins !
Comments (98)
We have so much to learn from you, Michel. Thanks again for sharing this. Amazing how such things bring good memories... talk about memories, I was mssing you. Welcome back.
I'm so glad you found your wine again. So many times our memories just stay memories...and never come to real life again.
makes/keeps..... you viable...................
This post gave me chill bumps. It is not often that we can return to something of our youth...and it be the same. What a joyful reunion of mind and taste.
what a wonderful story from your life....hope your summer is going well and you and the Mrs. are in good health we are busy here, much rain and flooding in our area with more expected this week. my gardens are soggy and i fear mold and fungus if we don't dry out. blessings Michel!!
What an amazing memory Michel...
Ah le Michel bon vivant... je peux sentir beaucoup d'energie et de la jeunesse des choses que je lis ici.
La prochaine fois que je me trouve en Provence, je vais chercher cet vin.
amitiés,
mike
I think I need some of that wine, as well. I would like to feel youth in my veins!
What type of grape was the wine made of?
Congrats on France getting to the finals and more importantly having the winner of the women's tennis. She was teriffic ! After getting your card ( thanks for remebering me ) I have been humming " Sur le pont d'Avignon " the one and only song I know in French.
You were lucky to find a place that is still unchanged, it must have been quite romantic for you. Nice to have you back again- have missed you. 
Marie
Remembering I mean . As soon as I submit this I realise my mistake.
I hope that someday I'm as poetic as you.
P.S. I love wineries.
Merveilluex!!!
That is incredible, to be able to go back to a place like that and it not have changed.
C'est vraiment fantastique que vous avez eu l'opportunité d'y retourner, et que vous avez trouvé et bu le même vin, avec le même goût. Santé!
Welcome back Michel! Ta petite histoire est tellement émouvante, je suis vraiment heureuse que tu as retrouvé le café et le vin de ton souvenir. J'ai cherché longtemps une crêperie à Aix-en-Provence où j'avais mangé la meilleure crêpe du monde, mais hélas, maintenant il n'y a que de restaurants chinois et de pizzerias. C'est dommage. Je me marquerai le nom de "ton" village, pour la prochaine fois que j'irai en Provence. Je veux vraiment gouter de ce vin moi aussi. Compliments à la coopérative qui a su maintenir la qualité du produit (ils me font penser à Clochemerle!!!).
Ciao.
Mmm! I love a good glass of wine! Maybe I'll have one later!
<3,
Aubrey
This is amazing and so wonderful Michel.
I am so happy you had the chance to drink the wine again and live again with the good memory.
I hope you are having a good summer with your family and Janine.
here we are preparing to travel to Michigan for a family reunion of my husband... in the upper most part of Michigan.
Blizzie will come with us, and Crhistina will stay home and take care of the old kitties.
My husband and the girls just came home from a lovely trip for 8 days to the UK. I did not go, which is fine. I have been many times as a child.
Now I have a little bit of poinon ivy but taking some pills to make it stop spreading. It is going well.
We leave for our trip on thursdya morning.
I am so glad to read this bloggie today of yours.
I reeeeaaaallly like that picture of you sitting there.
You look very snazzy and happy to be there again.
Thank you for sharing this great adventure
That's wonderful that you found the winery again after these years! Very, very wonderful story!!!
What a wonderful memory you have Michel to remember that wine from all those years ago. You look very well in the photograph which is great to see. I blush from your comments on my blog
. I have been watching the Tour of France every night. I know it came into the Calais region for a few days but its the mountains tomorrow
MICHEL! You bring tears to my eyes! Not only because of the story you have shared with us, but the fact that you are back safe and sound! I am so glad you enjoyed your trip! The description of the wine - beautiful! - Rachel
How neat that you found your favorite wine again. You wouldn't think it would be possible after such a long period of time!
That's a great story. I hope you took a few bottles home when you left. France has the best wines in the world.
I hope you bought a case of this wonderful wine, Michel!
Lovely photo of you sitting there savouring the magic. I love wine, and there is nothing more relaxing then sitting down to a bottle of your most favourite wine. It's one of life's real pleasures. 
Lovely memories you've captured here, Michel.
Oh my goodness, Michel, how wonderful the remembrance of that youth must have been! I have missed you, welcome home. I am looking forward to seeing your country again in less than 3 weeks! This time we will stay for only one week. It's never long enough, as we have so much we would love to see. This time we will make a day trip from Paris to Chartres, and hope to also get to Amiens and Riems. We shall see because, of course, there is so much to see and do in Paris also. I would like to learn to speak French. I wonder if I'm too old!
Powerful memories... thank you for sharing them with us
C'est une belle histoire!
How amazing that it lived up to your memories and expectations!
Wonderful memories. So glad that you werent disappointed. Sometimes memories can change reality. Happy holiday to you.
Wonderful, wonderful story.
Smells and tastes can be very strong reminders of events from the past. I'm glad the wine tasted the same, I'm sure you would have been bitterly disappointed had it not lived up to your memory.
wow, if i ever found a wine shopand went back after several years.. it probably would have been demolished already..... were u (when a soldier) walking on ur own?
How amazing that you were able to go back to a place that is dear to you! Simply wonderful, my friend!
And it's good to have you back!
I love wine. I hope it was delicious-- and I hope you didn't drink too much.
Yes, Michel I'm becoming a fan of Soccer, and I also congratulate France for showing such a great game to us. Both teams were very close.
The wine too is becoming something for me to appreciate. As an American, I knew little when I arrived here. I love the photo of you sitting on the stool at the vinery.
Wow Michel! That experience makes me want to drink the wine too. It is surely a good wine, that after 47 years, the taste has not changed.
Ah, youth!
Retifictation: Le courageux soldat Fauquet, pas le pauvre soldat Michel.
The landscape reminds me of the landscape of Sardinie. I can smell the herbs and feel the heat of the sun.
I am glad the you could find the same wine, everything was the same ,except the price I suppose.
Welcome back from your vacation. I am sure you had a great time.
PS. The poem is just a little joke.Thanks for your kind words.
Amitié
Carlo
What a lovely story. I too, have a wine that I had back in 1999, when Tim & I vacationed in Napa, CA. We went to a wine tasting, & had a sweet dessert wine, called "Edelwein Gold" otherwise known as "liquid love". We are not big wine drinkers but this was something special.
Hope all is well with you & your family. I have been negletful with my Xanga....but, it is summer now, and I have more time on my hands. Hope you have a wonderful week!!
What a beautiful memory. French wine is the best! Someday we will visit France and taste the wine...
Wonderful that you were able to drink the wine again - you'll have to arrange for a consignment of wine to be sent to you and Janine. *waves*
Michel, how wonderful that you are back. It is wonderful too that you found the wine the same. Judi
It is the simple things in life - well remembered - that bring the most joy.
O' if I was there to share a glass with you? Then I too would have a joyful
memory to carry with me! Be blessed, our Friend!
So very glad you found the winery. Country looks beautiful.
lovely that you found it and it was as good as the first time! what is the wine called? i really enjoyed this blog. thanks!
I would love to go on a winery tour in france. Maybe you should tell us your favourite wines and wineries? It'll help me start making a list.
How wonderful to go back in time, feel the same emotion, it just proves that our heart never ages, ahhh wine, the nectar of the Gods.
RITA.
It is very unusual in my experience for things to remain unchanged or as good as remembered. How wonderful that your "visit to the past" was just as you had treasured it in your memory. I hope you brought some bottles of this delicious wine home with you.
As ever, Carol
That is a very sweet story. I'm so glad you were able to go back there, and that the wine was the same. I like visiting places that I've been a long time ago and see how they've either stayed the same or changed a little. Warm memories, and thanks for sharing them.
Blessings and Peace,
Patrice
it is always so fantastic when the real thing matches the magical memory. i felt like i was tasting that wine with you. lovely lovely blog!!!!
As lotus said...we have so much to learn from you and...I think we all missed you! Did you bring some of the wine back with you? You did not mention what kind it was...I can imagine the memories it must have brought back for you!
Love to you and Janine!
xoxo Cat
How wonderful you found it again!! Lovely! Thank you for what you said about the Poetry Contest!
Love
Laurie
i wuz doin this one thingy so im sendin u this At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you. 2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way. 3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you. 4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you. 5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep. 6. You mean the world to someone. 7. If not for you, someone may not be living. 8. You are special and unique. 9. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you. 10. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it. 11. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world. 12. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you believe in yourself, probably, sooner or later, you will get it. 13. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks. 14. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know. 15. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great. Add this as a comment to ten of your friends tonight and at midnight your true love will find you. Something good will happen to you at 2:25 tomorrow. Get ready for the biggest shock of your life. Whoever breaks this chain letter will be cursed with 10 relationship problems for the next ten years tag ur it!! this is so scary!!! send this to 15 ppl in the next 143 min. and then press F6 and your crushes name will appear in big letters!! it is so scary because it works.... but if you break the chain.. you will be cursed w/ relationship problems. Comment me bak Elizabeth!!! Posted 7/12/2006 at 6:42 PM by Shanana_32
Posted 7/12/2006 at 6:51 PM by Shanana_32 - delete - block user
How interesting that it tasted the same! It looks like a beautiful place. You must have been flooded by all kinds of memories.
Hugs,
Lisa
Aaaaaaah Michel, your back! What a wonderful surprise! I like 'going on holidays' with you and your lovely wife to places I would never get to see otherwise!
Be blessed dear brother, and it is very bon to see your return to us!
Love from your Aussie friend,
Narelle (0=`~
PS ~ Do we get to see a picture of that poor thirsty soldier?
Beautiful moment.And another wonderful memory...Thanks for sharing.Grazi.
SAP
That's an amazing story!!
J'ai visite' Provence en Juin. Je l'aime Nimes, je veux retourner.
My French isn't too great, I've only taken 2 years of it.
ahh i almost forgot about this site! im adding u so i dont forget. i like bc of the french... i like to speak it
Thats great. A wonderful trip down Memory Lane...and it's still the same. I felt that way when I went to Delaware...still like I remembered it. Did you see you are on the "Featured Contents" column on Xanga's main page??
*claps hands*
Oh my---I am signed in on my other blog---this is Tori, aka cnoevil!! hehe...
I have never been to your site - and saw that you were featured. I love the feelings you made me feel talking about the wine and internal youth. I could almost taste the coolness of the wine.
Glad that the wine is still as delicious as in your memory. The winery looks cool & inviting in a pretty little town.The surrounding coutryside looks rather lush, so it's a nice setting.
Hope that you are keeping well & enjoying the summer.
I think good memories are little gifts from God. Beautiful !1
Welcome back Michel. How wonderful to come back to such a beautiful place during peace time, with a lifetime of memories in between, and find some things just the same. How glorious! I bet Janine enjoyed that "stream of burning youth" flowing in your veins, too!!!
When I went back to my city where I did the majority of my growing up, way too much had changed. Most of the downtown area has been torn down and replaced with tall buildings. Lots of other changes, too. It is in Arizona, a state that is growing much too quickly. Buildings that are not even 50 yrs. old are considered "too old", and they are torn down and replaced with buildings that look like high-rises in any other part of the country. Kind of sad.
How wonderful Michel!!! and they say you can never go back....you proved that saying wrong, didn't you!
God bless you and Janine always!
I really missed you when you were gone, Judi
Hello Michel: It's been awhile since I have been here or heard from you hope all is well with you. It's nice to find something that opens our memories. I love that second pic's the buildings are very nice. I may have times when I will be away from Xanga as Ginx is very sick, she has her good and bad days like last night she was restless. Sounds like you enjoyed your trip I am looking forward to visiting my son but that want be until December the way is flying by Decemeber will be here before I know it.
Shirley
A business associate was telling me about his weekend and he said that he had reunited with 2 friends that he knew as a very young man. He said they all reunited at the beach with their wives and even after 40 years, the friendship was fresh and exciting, as if it was only weeks ago. It reminded me of my xanga friend's post and I told him your wine story. He kept smiling and nodding...as a good friend is much like wine. A special reuniting. ryc: Zucchini is a summer squash.
You are back! YEAH! Welcome, Michel. And what a great story. Did you buy some of the wine to take away or was that possible? That way you may savor the flavor for a long time!
Blessings, kc
I am glad you are back Michel, Judi
How wonderful you were able to find the wine again after so many years. Great pictures, rich in culture.
When I am able to not judge any circumstance or person then I am free. I just thank God each day that all in my life is good. Thanks for your wise words Michel, Judi
Hope all is well with you and your sweety God Bless!
CLICK HERE
thank you for ur answer! i really would have got lost in those garrigues by myself. and, the person who is dead is my favorite character in a tv drama. even though he is a minor character he acting is marvelous but he got hit by a car!
C'est mon diplome de l'equivalent du baccalaureat. les deux femmes a cote de moi sont mes tantes qui sont tres gentille, et l'homme a cote de moi est mon pere.
How very fortunate that the wine was as you remembered. Most things change over the years. Yet they say wine and women only improve (some do, yes?) LOL
I am so happy you were able to go back, Michel. And to find a pleasure long remembered was a treasure.
I have a video recording of two French women using "The Colors of Provence" in making cards with rubber stamps. The colors are my favorite, so I will be practicing with them!
Have you had a good weekend?
Ah yes, so nice to hear from you again and I am glad that you found me. Although I thought you were busy and would eventually be around to say "hi" (bonjour) I always enjoy reading your entries and learning more about your beautiful country. I also appreciate your kind words.
Amitie(I don't have the little accent...)
Francoise.
Oh Michel, isn't wonderful to walk back in time and rekindle special memories?? How lucky you were that it was still there.. Enjoy!
Michel;
Allison
Vous me flattez, monsieur, mais quelque chose est en cours de réalisation. Je ne peux pas dormir ce soir, et ai édité mon poteau, si vous inquiétez pour lire encore.
je sentis un courant de brûlante jeunesse couler dans mes veines You, too, my friend, are an historian, and a fabulous writer. I am renewed when I come here.
You look fantastic! Photos are wonderful! Enjoyed reading your story!I am trying to get back into the swing of Xanga!
I have not visited everyone in a very long time!
How time gets away from me!
I have been so busy doing a lot of nothing!
Soon I will have so much time on my hands that
I will not know what to do with myself!
Take care,
Karolyn
Thank you for your very nice comment, Michel. No, we are not taking a tour in Paris, although I believe we will use a guide to show us Chartres. The rest we intend to see and do ourselves. My brother will meet us there for a weekend too. He lives in Germany. Have a great week!
thanks for your comment.
john
Wow what memories. I am glad you were able to go back and find this place.
Michel, it was so nice to hear from you, I have missed you.
As for your question about a train festival, yes, it is where a bunch of old trains & even older engineers & enthusiasts get together & celebrate the "good old days". As my Tim always says, "any day on a train is a good day". They give little ride excursions, tell stories, & let you go through & see how everything used to be done. We especially enjoy the dining cars & seeing the kitchens.....every railroad line had their own china, & it is amazing to see that they could prepare full meals in such cramped quarters. We love the history.
Thanks for asking & have a great week!!
ryc - No sunburn - but it was plenty hot! More of the same all week. Will be swimming in the lake after work everyday!
I enjoyed reading about your memories!
Blessings,
Becca
RYC The picture is of my first husband and I in our back yard He was the father of my children. He died young. We are BOTH young in the picture.
Oh, Michel, it is hot here as well!! I am so thankful for air conditioning! The cats should be as well! Imagine wearing a fur coat in this weather!
Bonjour Michel!
Il y a un longtemps. je n'utilize pas xanga, mais mon address couriel est sarashanks@gmail.com.
C'est une tres belle histoire. J'aime les histoires ou' quelqu'un trouve quelquechose qu'on cherche. Especialement quelquechose comme du bon vin! Oh que je manque la France! Je vais visiter l'Allemagne, Swiss, Austria, et Czech Republique. Je pars le 25 de juillet. Je n'ai jamais voyage' aux places la'. L'ete prochain, je vais encore voyager a' France avec un lycee. Je vais aider regarder les etudiants, et passer les bons temps bien sur!
A bientot,
-Sara
what a wonderful story, michel <3
i'm so glad you were able to go back and enjoy the wine yet again!
beautiful thoughts and it is so nice when your memories and the present match up!! It still was the same wine , the same taste , the same freshness and when I drank it 47 years later I felt a stream of burning youth flowing in my veins !
to have those feelings and reminders of youth in our veins!!!
yes, things are going very well and my hair is very pink. hopefully i can get some pictures up so everyone can see.
the buildings in the second picture are so beautiful. hopefully i see some like them when i visit europe.
I have reconized your face on a couple of sites I visit. You seem to be a very interesting person and from a country I would like to learn more about. Greetings !
le bon petit blanc de la jeunesse
beaur reportage
c'est comme si nous le goûtions avec toi cher Michel
à ta santé !
amitiés
Thank-you very much for your simple encouragement.
Xanga can be a lovely place sometimes because of people like you.
(Your post is also very enjoyable, and I must say it's quite cute.
)
Your English might not be perfect, but you write most beautifully! "I felt a stream of burning youth flowing in my veins" Wow!
You have so many blessings! It is a life filled with joyful encounters in the midst of chaos. How wonderful to relive the happiness! Bon appetit!
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