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+--- Thread: Trip to France (/thread-85.html)
- joeybishop1 - 03-25-2002
I am going to Southern France at the end of May with some friends - the Languedoc,Roussillon and Aude regions. We are looking forward to visiting some wineries while there. Can you recommend any particular ones for us?
- Innkeeper - 03-25-2002
Scoop has been there recently. If he doesn't respond soon, look up one of his postings on the search function and e-mail him.
- barnesy - 03-30-2002
Also,
Find a book by Kermit Lynch called "Adventures on the Wine Trail"
His chapters on the areas your going are enlightening. He even mentions wineries that don't mind drop ins and such.
Barnesy
- Drew - 03-30-2002
I have this book and just finished reading it. It was given to me by the owner of Midway liquors in Baltimore who keeps a small library, and tasting station, always open in his store. It's a good read, although it does not relate to the released wines of today. The actual title of the book is "Adventures on the Wine Route, A Wine Buyer's Tour of France" and it is available at WWW.amazon.com at this link.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/104-6540751-4231106
I know zero about southern France but for me, and my love of Languedoc wines, I would seek out a visit at Chateau de la Negly.
Drew
- Thomas - 03-30-2002
Visiting European wineries is not the same process as it is in the US. Generally, wineries across the pond are not open for tourism, and you either need an invitation or someone to take you there. But then, I have been lucky many times to talk my way into wineries, on the strength of a business card.
- Randy Caparoso - 03-30-2002
One idea might be to drop in on Kermit Lynch's wine store in Berkeley. They're at 1605 San Pablo Ave., which is a left turn a few blocks off University headed towards the Berkeley campus. The people there could probably give some guidance. Really, Lynch's estates are probably the only ones you really have a chance to "visit" (if at all), since in that particular part of France (I've visited myself a couple of times), vintners aren't really into the "tasting room" scene like Americans, Australians, or even Germans and Italians. Most times, wineries are extensions of their homes.
Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant is open only Tuesdays through Saturdays. Phone is 510-525-1524. Fax is 510-528-7026.
Finally: visit Coullioure, the beautiful Mediterranean town just off the Spanish border. There you will drink Banyuls (luscious fortified reds) or Coullioures (whites and reds that will add hair to your chest) in brilliant, sun splashed cafes, watching the vines in the surrounding hills go crashing down into the turquoise blue sea.
Then there's the nearby seaside town of Perpignan, where you eat fresh, nearly quivering belon oysters that come chuggling up to your table on boats from the hundreds of "table top" beds right off the shore. The wine you drink there is called Picpoul -- literally a lemony, lip smacking, light dry white, perfect for the time and place.
Oh well... have a good time.
[This message has been edited by Randy Caparoso (edited 03-30-2002).]