Pat Browne’s Almond Macaroons

NO mistaking where I was — Bordeaux airport has grape vines planted close to arrivals with a red rose at the end of each row to encourage bees to help with pollination.

Even thought Bordeaux is all about wine, that wasn’t the primary purpose of our trip. We had been invited to the wedding of the granddaughter of Andre Lourton, the patriarch of one of the most famous wine families in Bordeaux. The young bride and groom looked radiant, the sun shone, the wine flowed, the food was delicious, lots of oysters, crepinettes, foie gras, duck in every possible way, exquisite cheese in sublime condition and molten chocolate pudding with pistachio ice cream.

Fireworks lit up the starlit sky over the vineyards and chateau. Guests from all over the world danced untill the early hours.