Anyone who has tasted unadulterated, natural, wine, direct from the producer, will know that returning to commercial ready-bottled wine is to be avoided at all costs.
I used to visit this 'Chateau de Calassou' often, many years ago; it's only about 15 kms away. We would buy their best AOC wine, bottle it at home, and drink after about 5-10 years. I stopped buying their wine, simply because I stopped bottling; pure laziness on my part.
The business end of the vineyard is busy with animals. This pig is called Maurice, and he just wanders around, hoping for either titbits or a tickle behind the ears. I must say that the whole idea of keeping these Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs (as pets) has always disturbed me; but Maurice is a real vigneron's 'gentleman piggy'. There were about 6 small dogs keeping him company.
Calassou must have at least 30 hectares of vines; all now newly pruned and attached to their wires. The 'Vin de Table' that we bought is 100% Malbec, and is delightfully fresh and fruity (plum and anise). Our 10 litres cost just €12.
So all that remains was the tasting. The verdict; delicious!
p.s. I would have shown you a photo of the 'Chateau', had it been a Chateau. Unfortunately it's just a rather plain house surrounded by tractors, a fat pig, and lots of very scruffy dogs. The word 'Chateau', in France, has many meanings.
10 litres for 12 Euros! (Faints with envy). I have never had wine straight from the producer but I would like to.
ReplyDeletesounds good!
ReplyDeletegive Maurice a back scratch from us.
That's what he likes most of all...
DeleteWhat a lovely big pig,I wonder if he likes the wine too.
ReplyDeleteWe too stopped keeping Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs when some of our relatives decided to go in for naturism in a big way. It became impossible to tell one from t'other and while this did once or twice introduce some much-needed fresh blood into the family line, it was murder at meal-times.
ReplyDelete£1.20 a litre eh? In Blighty that's what they charge just to look at the label ...
The advantages of living in France... Again you have inspired envy. Shame about the neighbours, though (he said, hoping to sour the idyl...)
ReplyDeleteI just drink half a gallon of the above, and my neighbourly problems slowly disappear.
DeleteWe have quite a few wineries in my area, but much of the fruit is grown by other vendors. I have to admit, I would rather drink French wine.
ReplyDeleteThe wine looks delicious!! I am not much on those pot bellied pigs for pets. (try saying that fast three times!)
ReplyDeleteWe, too, have 2 good wine areas near us: Almador County and Napa Valley. Almador is nicer in that it isn't as touristy as Napa. I love to taste a varietal out of the barrels of different age. What a difference the wood makes!
ReplyDeleteYes, a bit of vino does tend to make the neighbors fade into the background!
There are a number of wineries in our area, but we've never visited any of them. I fully intend to go to at least one this year. (One of them even has a genuine chateau, in the nicest sense of the world.)
ReplyDeleteMy last locale had a few local vinyards, but i didn't sample many of the wares. I haven't looked around here much to see if there are any local. Seeing this post from you makes me think i should make an effort.
ReplyDeleteSo, the stuff you sampled that was 'delicious': was it some of the new stuff, or did you have an old bottle or two kicking around chez vous?
This is last year's wine, and I'm pleased to say that it was SO DELICIOUS, that Lady Magnon had a slightly thick head the following morning. Very unlike her!
DeleteThe bottle shape is lovely too! Pigs freak me out a bit I have to admit...just knowing one would sooner eat you than not is a little unsettling!
ReplyDeleteCro...you have no idea how lucky you are!
ReplyDeleteOOh I love that pig!
ReplyDelete