2013 Wine trips

July 2013
Once again we arrived in the Vaucluse to blue skies and warm sunshine. We were also met with the typical aperitif! After this we were able to enjoy a lazy evening with a nice meal and a few glasses of wine from the local caves.
Until the arrival of our first clients we spent some time relaxing by the pool in between our vineyard visits.
It was at Beaumes De Venise that we were able to pick up their special limited edition Tour De France Muscat.
At Vacqueyras we enjoyed the local market every Friday morning and then in the evening the farmers market held at Vignerons de Caractere. It was on Friday 12th that the preparations started for this years wine fete. It was here that we sampled many of the Grand Crus from the area, along with some Cognacs. Some of the villages represented were Vacqueyras, Beaumes De Venise, Violes, Rasteau, Gigondas, Chateau Neuf De Pape and Clairette De Die. This is a great place to discover new vineyards and this year it was Domaine St Vincent. I love their Cru Vinsobres 2011. A definite addition to our wine tours and our wine cellar!
We stayed at Le Pradet for a few days, a lovely clean hotel just on the edge of the village of Vacqueyras. It was here that we got to see the support vehicles for this years Tour De France.

At Costebelle in Tulette we got to watch the AOP Cotes Du Rhone rouge being vacuum packed and boxed, this is one of the great things about our tours you get to see the vineyards at work doing their usual daily activities.
We stopped at Mas De Bouvau for an aperitif (just in case I have not mentioned it before this was the hotel of our french wedding). It was excellent to see our hosts M. et Mme Hertzog.
I like to buy the seasonal fruit and vegetables direct from the local farmers. I purchased some tomatoes and lettuce and beautiful nectarines. They could be easily eaten just as they are with their fabulous flavours but I could not resist bottling these wonderful summer flavours for later on in the year, so I made nectarines in Muscat and nectarines in brandy.
I always enjoy our meals at La Loupiotte and I do favour their woodfire Calzone!!

I think that I will start some wine tasting evenings when we get back to the UK....................