French Wine Tasting – Part Two
Authors note : Reading Part One first would be a good idea
Regardless of whether you’re”into’ wine,or just grabbed a bottle out of desperation because “booze-be-us” was outa beer – there are French wine treasures to be found in every region and at every price point.
Kinda like deciding which car to buy, innit? Too many options! That’s why I, your ever helpful, faithful pal and freakin’ fountain o’ froggie info am gonna – as usual – give ya the straight skinny.
The French Wine treasures that really rock my boat,aren’t in the wine guides. They haven’t been reviewed by the “gurus of taste.”
Like the best Scots’ Whiskey, they’re not exported. And for the same reason.The locals drink it all up!
They’re the wines of(usually)small,independant producers and local wine co-ops. I find them in the usual way. I TRAVEL! And when I see a “wine sign”, I glide in for petite degustation.”( a little taste)And you, dear reader, can do the same.
The “Ma n’Pa” winos, you can,(and should!)discover on yer own. To get ya started with the other possibility, here be three BG recommended co-ops.
Dontcha be forgettin’ that wine co-ops are not bound by the restrictions of A.O.C.Which means that grapes can be blended for maximum flavor without regard to origin/location.
Alllllrighty then………Here we go! (You do know how to use Google maps…..right?)1.Cave Cooperative du CONDOM -Gers region – SouthWest. (foie gras country.) 2.Cave Cooperative du LUMIERE –Provence region – South. In the Luberon National park between Cavaillon and Apt. 3.Cave cooperative du NOVES –Provence region – South. Last village before Avignon on the South(left)side of the Durance river.
At all of these spots,you’ll find wine advertised “en vrac”and/or “en detail” – meaning – “In bulk.” Bring your own 3,5,or 10 litre container and fill up.(Some co-ops will sell you just a litre, but 3 is usually the minimum.)
Expect to fork out anywhere from 1.25 to 1.75 per litre. Depending on the variety/strength.
Anything else I can help with?
THROW ME A BONE HERE, PEOPLE!
What are ya thinkin’?
you’ve definitely got the right title for this post! What greater treasure for a wine love than your inside tips. Will there be a part 3?
Many thanks for the info and the addresses. Hope to check them out next month.
fantastic opening shot!
with ya 110% ralph. that image of the chateau in the wine glass is a classic example of why Da Bg is ther leader of the travel reporting pack.
hey people – loved the opening photo also. does da bg have a photo site?
margaret – indeed he does! – just go to the top of this page and click “IMAGES”
thanks for sharing that ralph. but wait – there’s more! da bg has another photo membership site – artpix4.me – which you can join to get four of his high quality original photos monthly.
thanks for that reiner. i’m sure everyone who loves high quality original art will be checking that site out…..i know i will!
love the cave co-operative model. really makes sense. which is probably why it will never catch on in the USA!
perry – sad, but true. too many “bottle barns” (lol)
looking forward to checking these spots out on our next visit. sounds great.(and probably tastes great too!(no doubt)
exactly bob – this is the kind of under the radar info you can’t get anywhere else…but..hey, if you’re a regular here..you already know that -right?
absolutely Cal – da bg is my secret weapon for under the radar french info-
and, obviously, i’m not the only one.
these cave co-operatives are mainly in the south and south west….but i assume you can find them in other french regions as well?
carla – while assuming is (usually) always dangerous – in this case – you’re right on the money. you’l find cave co-operatives in every wine producing region.
anderson – one caveat, if i may – the Jura region produces a yellow wine, which, if it is available in cave co-operatives there, to my tastes, is best passed by. yes, personal taste i know. however, all my wino friends who,ve tasted it agree.
while the opning image of the chateau in the wine glass is truly fantastic, i also like the last photo – the view into the vineyard from the low angle.
very creative and original.
agreed in spades barbara. Yet another example of the “cut above” quality that brings us here for the authentic lowdown on all things french.
since we seem to be on a “photo tangent” here – allow me – as a long time BG subscriber(and photographer) to give you yet ANOTHER place to view Da Bg’s
photo excellence. it is on INSTAGRAM – #fineartys
I’m with you on the small independant producers bandwagon – nothing more exciting for me as well – finding great wines at reasonable prices…and just as important…..helping them keep going. Many thanks for your information!
your wine posts are always my favorites. and this is one of the best!