We just returned from a fabulous trip to Provence, although August in France is not the ideal time to go. First of all most of the country is on Holiday so it can be difficult to get anything done. And it was hot….very hot, especially in southern France. I think the whole country was down there at the beach so a normal drive that would take 30 minutes took 2 1/2 hours. As soon as we flew into Marseille we drove to our hotel and then went right to Chateau Bregancon. We import one of their Rose wines(which is fantastic by the way) but have never visited the vineyard. Had a lovely tour and tasting with Erika. In the summer they do Jazz in the vineyard Tuesday nights, a huge soiree where 15 euros gets you a glass, all the wine you want, appetizers and a jazz band. We had a wonderful night, spent a lot of time talking with the vineyard owner, Olivier, and listening to some great music. Here is a pic of the group, the guy on the bass is the wine maker.
This was taken very early, soon after the place was packed. After a couple of days south, Bormes-Les-Mimosas we drove up to Avignon for a couple of days. Visited the vineyard of Baptiste Hillaire, they make some fabulous Cotes du Rhone and Chateauneuf du Pape. Had a great tour of some of Olivier’s vineyards with a tasting at the end. Check out the “soil” in this vineyard where Grenache are growing, it is all rock, probably a meter deep.
Staying in the new village part of Avignon was very nice, Hotel D’Atelier was very nice. Did not get a chance to visit the Pope Castle, maybe next visit. Next we visited the tasting room of Celliers des Princes. They make some wonder wines and are a coop, a lot of farmers and a lot of hectares. Nicolas very very nice to meet with us on his Holiday day off. Fabulous Chateauneufs and a surprise of a wonderful Rose.
We left Avignon and went down to Aix-en-Provence for a few days. Met up with some friends and went to Les-Baux to see the Van Gogh exhibit at the Luminiers(?) which was unbelievable, what a great way to spend your birthday. After a few very nice days in Aix(hot, cool city and a horrible hotel…would not recommend Hotel Cardinal) we flew back to Paris where the weather was perfect, low 70’s….and yeah, only 1 bottle broke. Our 1 night in Paris we stayed at the Sheraton at the airport, so convenient especially hauling luggage, it is literally right in the airport. After checking in and dropping our luggage(and cleaning up after the broken bottle) we went down 2 escalators from the hotel and jumped on the train to Paris, best way to go and only 20 euros each round trip. Had to walk by and shed a little tear for our Notre Dame.
And finally we eat at a lovely restaurant we found last time in Paris in March, then we stayed right next door. The restaurant is La Petit Perigourdine.
Thank god we flew direct to Minneapolis from Paris, so worth a little extra on Delta to go direct. And all 18 bottles, 6 glasses, 1 large wine/ice bucket and everything else made it home perfectly.