FrenchDuck’s databank
SW France Wines

The problem (and delight) of South West France is that there are so many areas to explore, and often renting a gite can be so delightful that getting out and exploring might be limited to the nearest town and trips for French Bread, a bar and an ocassional restaurant.
However, an English couple (Jason and Michelle) have established a Motorhome (or motor caravan as I used to call them) Hire centre at St Avit (47 Lot-et-Garonne, Midi-Pyrenees) south of Duras

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Evolution will plan your itinerary for you or advise you on your existing route. If you’re a lover of fishing, walking, wine tasting etc.a personalised route planner to suit your needs can be arranged for the duration of your vacation. We will provide details of recommended camp sites.

You’ll never get lost…
We provide an on-board ready-to-use GPS navigation system. We’re on-call with a 24/7 helpline with English spoken… We can provide liaison with reputable local property agents for those seeking to purchase property in the area. Cycle and leisure equipment hire is also available. Evolution caters for all-year round rental, with winter skiing resorts only a leisurely 3 hour drive south, a little further will take you to the winter warmth of Spain.

So you can avoid the long road trip through France, fly into Bergerac or Bordeaux or take the train - they will meet you at the airport or station and you’re off free to explore this rich and varied area.And with French number plates you might even get a bit more respect on the road!

For more info see www.evolutionmotorhomes.com

The organic vineyard of Chateau Haut Garrigue in the village of Saussignac (24 Dordogne, Aquitaine) near Bergerac has it all - a wonderful situation overlooking the Dordogne valley; a self-contained gite “The Grape Escape”, friendly English-speaking (well, Irish) hosts and a real opportunity to see and learn more about wine and wine-making (if that’s what you want!).

Allez Vins! used to import wines from this domaine when it was run by its previous owners, but now it is being run organically under the title “Wild Earth Vineyards” by the enthusiastic and innovative new owners, Sean and Caroline Feely.

The Grape Escape, our well-equipped 4-person gite (self-catering holiday house) is surrounded by organic vineyards and offers fabulous views across the Dordogne valley. It is semi-detached from the main farmhouse facing onto the courtyard on one side and onto the vines on the two sides built out over the vineyard.

As our guests, you are very welcome to spend time with us to learn about our wine and winemaking, taste our wines and perhaps even take part in vineyard or winery activity depending on the time of year and your energy!

No chance for me to taste their wine yet - they produce red, rosé and white Bergerac AC wines and semi-sweet and botytised dessert Saussignac AC wines. (If you want to try them they will be showing their wines at the Real Food Festival at Earls Court, London from 24-27 April 2008).

For more info on the gite, wines and other offerings contact Chateau Haut Garrigue

See map

Two of the lesser-known wine appellations of Southwest are Marcillac AOC and Entraygues-et-Fel VDQS are in Aveyron departement (12, Midi-Pyrenees) in the Upper Lot Valley. One way of getting to know the region (and its wines) is by renting one of three charming 200+ year-old restored cottages nestled on the hillsides near the Lot River. These rental cottages offer beautiful interiors, lovely views and relaxing ambiance.All of the “Sweet French Cottages” are located in the area that boasts 10 of “The Most Beautiful Villages in France,” more than any other region so you can just imagine how beautiful it is! Many historic sites, castles, forests, walking paths, hiking trails, wine tasting, restaurants, horseback riding, kayaking, canoeing and golf or just sit and enjoy the views! Gorgeous village of Entraygues-sur-Truyere offers full services and is only minutes away.

All cottages are newly renovated to a high standard by the owner-designer, and are fully outfitted for self catering. Each has beautiful, comfortable interiors with antiques and quality furnishings. Many original features including stone exteriors, slate roofs, wood beam ceilings, fireplaces, handmade terracotta tile floors or pine floors. Delightful river, castle and forest views.

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There are numerous criteria for selecting the perfect holiday gite - for me it has to be a combination of tranquility, privacy, a decent view, comfortable accommodation, swimming pool; within walking distance of a bar, shop and preferably a restaurant; within striking distance of a town with a good selection of shops - and with vineyards nearby where I can purchase some good local wines.
The Mas de Couderc at Degagnac (46 Lot, Midi-Pyrenees) fits all these criteria - about 10km south of Gourdon and 30km north of Cahors it is also close to the Dordogne for visits to Sarlat and the Valley of the Dordogne. Wine wise the vineyards of Cahors start a little to the south, and Bergerac is a bit further afield. Goose, Duck and walnuts are the local specialties.
The gite is available throughout the year, and because you book direct weekly rentals are good value for money. Monsieur and Mme Verot speak good English (she is English!)
For more info and pictures see www.frenchduck.co.uk/couderc

Contact the owners Serge and Yasmin Verot

Arthur Rackham’s in Guildford, Surrey have a regular BIG tasting and the next will be held on Saturday 27 October 2007 with the theme “wines and spirits of France.”

An impressive selection is offered for tasting including some Champagne, Bordeaux and Burgundy plus Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cahors, Alsace, Languedoc, Loire, Rhone and Armagnac:-

Lallier Brut Rose Premier Cru NV
Chateau La Rame Bordeaux Blanc 2006
Domaine du Bouchot Pouilly Fume 2005 (Loire)
Aegerter Bourgogne Chardonnay 2006 abd Beaune Premier Cru Les Reversees Blanc 2005
Domaine d. l. Presidente Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2006
Domaine Belles Pierres Clauzes de Jo Blanc 2005 (Languedoc)
Zusslin Riesling Clos du Liebenberg 2002 (Alsace)
Aegerter Bourgogne Rouge 2005 and Gevrey Chambertin 2005
Chateau La Rame, Bordeaux 2005
Chateau Bujan, Cote du Bourg 2005
Chateau Caroline, Moulis-en-Medoc 2000
Chateau Mongravey, Mongravey 2005 (Margaux)
Domaine Belles Pierre Clauzes de Jo Rouge 2005 (Languedoc)
Chateau Haute-Serres, Cahors 2003 (Southwest France)
Domaine de la Presidente Cairenne Cote du Rhone 2005

Chateau La Rame Traditionnel St-Croix-du-Mont 2004

Comte du Lauvia VSOP Armagnac

There is a charge of £5.00 but that seems well worthwhile for the opportunity to taste your way through some of these wines,
SeeArthur Rackham.

Finding wines such as Cotes Roannaises AC (Upper Loire), Collioure AC (Roussillon), Madirans from Chateau de Viella, Jurancons from Domaine Cauhapé and Pic St Loup from Chateau de Lastours was a pleasant surprise in the midst of the very English Cotswold village of Chipping Campden (Glos) at Bennetts Fine Wines.
Côtes Roannaises wines come from the area around Roanne (42 Loire, Rhône-Alpes) and are based on the Gamay grape - but with rather more intensity than found in Beaujolais.
Collioure AC is a small appellation almost on the Spanish border and takes its name from the pretty little port of Collioure (66 Pyrenees-Orientales, Languedoc-Roussillon). Predominantly red and rosé wines, these are made from grapes picked at the beginning of the harvest - the latter pickings being used to make the fortified Banyuls wines. Nearby the wines of Maury are based on the Grenache grape are also fortified dessert wines, some of which are matured in sealed glass “bonbons” (large demijohns) which are left out in the sun to mature - such as those at Mas Amiel (see photo above).
The shop also has (more predictably) an impressive array of top quality (and top price) Claret, Burgundy, Champagne and Port for its well-heeled locals and a good selection of New World wines.
The old-style shop is complemented by an excellent website (see www.bennettsfinewines.com), mail order service, nationwide delivery, bottles open for tasting in the shop every Saturday and a series of wine tasting events held throughout the winter.

Bennetts Fine Wines
High, Street, Chipping Campden, Glos GL55 6AG
T: 01386 840392 F:01386 840974

The winemakers of Madiran open their doors to all (portes ouvertes) to show off their wines (Madiran AC big hearty reds based on the Tannat grape, and Pacherenc du Vic Bilh AC whites) for the weekend. Everyone welcome - some cellars will have music and other diversions available to foster a welcoming atmosphere.
For more info contact the Maison des Vins de Madiran 65700 Madiran Tel : 05 62 31 90 67.
Key recommendations would be Domaine Berthoumieu at Viella, Chateau d’Aydie at Aydie.

Madiran wines have become better known recently through the work of Professor Roger Corder’s Book The Wine Diet which identified red wines from SW France, and Madiran in particuar. as having high amounts of polyphenols which are good for your heart.
Prof Corder has just published an updated version called The Red Wine Diet: “Drink wine every day and live a long and healthy life”

Although not actually on a vineyard, the Hotel Restaurant Le Vinois at Caillac (46 Lot) to the west of Cahors at Caillac (46 Lot, Midi-Pyrenees) offers stylish accommodation surrounded by vines.
The Restaurant offers contemporary decor and cuisine and you can also have a half-day cookery course and tasting with the Head Chef.
Hotel Restaurant Le Vinois
Le Bourg - 46140 CAILLAC
Tel : 05 65 30 53 60 - Fax : 05 65 21 67 27
www.levinois.com

There are numerous options for getting closer to the wines of Cahors (46 Lot, Midi-Pyrenees), with their predominance of the Malbec grape (known locally as Auxerrois or Cot). Several domaines offer either Bed and Breakfast (Chambre d’Hote) or gites to rent.
Chateau les Grauzils at Prayseau sac - gite
Chateau Haut Monplaisir at Lacapelle-Cabanac - Cathy et Daniel Fournié Tel : 05.65.24.64.78 Fax : 05.65.24.68.90 E Mail : chateau.hautmonplaisir@wanadoo.fr - gite
(and their wines are top rate - especially the Cuvee Pur Plaisir!
Chateau Plat Faisant at St Vincent-Rive d’Olt TÉL : 05.65.30.76.38 FAX : 05.65.36.76.38
Chateau Vincens at Luzech - TÉL : 05.65.30.51.55 FAX : 05.65.20.15.83 - gite
Chateau de Rouffiac at Duravel - B&B (Chambre d’Hote)
Domaines Delmas (Chateau de Parnac) at Parnac - Chambres d’Hote and gite

One of Cahors’ top wine chateaux is the Chateau de Mercues, which is also a top class Michelin restaurant and hotel - the barrell-ageing cellar is under the hotel. Situated on a promontory to the west of Cahors, it offers stunning views over the Lot Valley. see www.relaischateaux.com

Although not actually on a vineyard, the Hotel Restaurant Le Vinois at Caillac (46 Lot) to the west of Cahors offers stylish accommodation surrounded by vines.

For more info on Cahors see www.mairie-cahors.fr

In the heart of the Cahors vineyards. home of the Malbec grape, in the département du Lot, Chateau de Rouffiac offers good wines and 4 stylish Bed & Breakfast (Chambres d’Hotes) in the midst of a 30hectare wine estate. The house and rooms are in rather grand style. Additionally they offer “Table d’Hotes” – so you can dine at the chateau too, although you can also explore the local eateries if you prefer.

The Chateau is at Duravel on the northern bank of the Lot river west of Puy l’Eveque. For more info see www.chateau-de-rouffiac.com

Agen (47 Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine) is home to the famous Agen Prune - the gently baked moist plums which are a key feature of SW France cuisine. The delicacy (although not that delicate) is protected as an Appellation Controllee.
Agen celebrates its Prune with a weekend festival every Autumn - taste and learn with music and dancing and the town in a festive mood. The local wine is Buzet AC - good Bordeaux style red, white and rose.
For recipe ideas try Jean Strang’s Goose Fat and Garlic: Country Recipes from Southwest France
For more info on the Grand Pruneau Show see www.grandpruneaushow.fr/

Between Montauban and Toulouse and Toulouse (82 Tarn et Garonne, Midi-Pyrenees) the town of Fronton celebrates a weekend of scents and flavours including the local wines from Fronton AC (previously known as the Côtes du Frontonnais). A feast for the senses (lots of colour, lots of music and lots of food and wine to delight the palate).

The wines of Fronton are distinctive in their use of the Negrette grape, which can produce good red and excellent rosé wines, such as those from Chateau Bellevue la Foret and Chateau Bouissel – well worth a little detour off the A20 or A62 autoroutes

Festival to celebrate the connection between windmills and bread (Fete du Four au Moulin) including a demonstration of milling the flour in the traditional manner (wind permitting!) - plus a Marché de Terroir (farmers market) - lots of different breads to try, music,dancing in this village also famous for its Pink Garlic (Ail Rose) festival earlier in the summer. Gaillac is the local wine.
For more info see http://ot.lautrec.free.fr

In the sleepy backwaters of the Hautes Pyrenees département the village and Appellation of Madiran (65 Hautes Pyrenees, Midi-Pyrenees) holds its annual wine festival organised by the impressively titled Syndicat de défense des vins du Madiran. These are robust red wines made predominantly from the Tannat grape.
The festival is held at 4 rue de l’Eglise, 65700 MADIRAN
tel : 05 62 31 90 67
fax : 05 62 31 90 79
This year may be busier than previously, due to the popularity of Dr Roger Corder’s book The Wine Diet which identified the wines of the South West (and Madiran in particular) as especially healthy due to the high concentration of polyphenols. Decanter magazine considered this book as “Quite possibly the most useful wine book published this year“. (A new version is to be published in September 2007 The Red Wine Diet

Gailac (81 Tarn, Midi-Pyrenees) holds its annual 2–day wine fair every August. Red,white and rose wines from lesser known grape varieties such as Mauzac and l’En d’El. 4–5 Aug 07

Recommended vineyard:Domaine de Labarthe

In the heart of the Côtes de Duras vineyards between St Astier and Duras (47 Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine) on the Chateau la Petite Bertande - a gite sleeping up to 8 people.

See www.chateau-lapetitebertrande.com
see map

The Côtes de Duras wine festival takes place in the grounds of the Chateau at Duras (47 Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine)– in the morning some conducted walks amongst the vineyards, a procession of classic cars, taste some wine from many of the local producers – and then in the evening there is a feast and music (Jazz) and dancing!

 White red and rosé wines are produced here – similar in style to Bordeaux and Bergerac – most distinctive is the Sauvignon Blanc which can be very good.

See http://www.cotesdeduras.com

Jazz in Marciac, (32 Gers, Midi-Pyrenees)

This normally tranquil bastide town in deepest Gascony hosts a world-class Jazz festival during the first three weeks on August every year inaugurated by Wynton Marsalis who is also appearing this year along with others such as Madeleine Peyroux, Joe Cocker, Chuck Corea.

Although the summer season is the highlight, other concerts are held throughout the year.
See www.jazzinmarciac.com/
Tel: 33 (0)5 62 08 26 60

Nearby vineyards include Domaine de Lauroux and Producteurs Plaimont

Festival of Afro, Cuban, Salsa and Latin music and dance, in the middle of the otherwise sleepy département of Gers (32, Midi-Pyrenees) - snazzy website at www.tempo-latino.com/

Whilst in the region you could visit our friends at Domaine de Lauroux to taste some of their wines and Armagnacs, or even try their B&B on the vineyard.

The penultimate stage of the Tour before the finish tomorrow in Paris - this is a time trail which starts in Cognac (16 Charente, Poitou-Charentes) and finished in Angouleme 56km to the East.

Most of the big names in Cognac are based in the town (Hennesy, Remy Martin, Courvoisier, Martell) but there are also many small producers who often produce great brandies - and usually at better prices - as you are not paying for the name and marketing hype that goes with the big Cognac houses. For example see Maison DEAU who produce excellent Cognacs and Pineau des Charentes - and also offer a magnificent garden, greenhouse and museum.

For more info on the Tour de France 2007 see www.letour.fr or UK Eurosport where there are some good interactive maps of the route.