Yesterday I went to pick-up my weekly 10 litres of local wine, and M le Vigneron very kindly gave me a one and a half litre bottle of his two week old 2015.
He and his wife, and their daughter, are such nice people; they epitomise the generosity that is endemic in this part of the world. Nothing is beyond them. I often feel ashamed that I can never match their wonderful largess; I just don't have the wherewithal.
This gift of new wine has now become an annual affair, and tonight I shall cook a few chestnuts and enjoy consuming the two seasonal products together in front of the fire. I can hardly think of a better way to spend an autumnal evening.
p.s. Last year I described the new wine as tasting like half Ribena (blackcurrant juice) and half vinegar; this year's is much sweeter and very fruity. it's absolutely bloody delicious. When it's ready to be sold, in a few months time, I predict that it will be superb.
All of your posts that involve food or drink make me jealous! Wine and chestnuts sounds like a wonderful snack!
ReplyDeleteWe did exactly what I said, ate them in front of the fire.
DeleteWow, it's not even close to cool enough here yet to have a fire! Now I'm really jealous!
DeleteDo you share your ten litres with Lady M.?
ReplyDeleteAnd several others unfortunately.
DeleteOh, and two dinner parties last week too.
DeleteIt is good business practice to give out a few free samples, it keeps the customer happy and he will hopefully return to do business in the future.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly keeps me going back.
DeleteWine in plastic is an absolute no go and aucun caviste digne de ce nom would bottle his wine like this. Sorry !
ReplyDeleteFor a start he is not a 'caviste', he is a 'vigneron'. He produces good natural wine for local consumption. This wine is never bottled (unlike his AOC Cahors), it is sold 'au detail' pumped into whatever container you happen to have handy. It does not pretend to be Petrus, it costs €1.10 per litre and it is delicious. Call me a peasant if you wish, but I'd rather drink this wine than anything bought from a supermarket in bottles.
DeleteI did not say that the wine isn't delicious and that you are a peasant. I only say wine in plastic containers is a no go.You seem to care about environment and plastic is just not the best material
DeleteI've been using the same plastic containers for many years.... I'm very conscientious.
DeleteIt was ME who said I'm a peasant... which I am.
Cro, my comment on Rachel's blog about perfect life intend to be positive, i hope i was not missunderstood.
ReplyDeleteDon'y worry Yael, I understood your sentiment perfectly.
DeleteLately i can drink only white wine, i dont know why.
ReplyDeleteAnd I can only drink red.... preferably natural wine like the above.
DeleteI love the idea of local wine in a plastic container. The ultimate supply chain and zero air miles! ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit like filling up with petrol, the same kit but your container replaces the car.
DeleteI've had plenty of excellent en vrac wine in my time and thoroughly enjoyed most of it.
ReplyDeleteWe're not really in a wine growing area, the Cahors vineyards begin about 10 Kms away. The one where I bought the above is the nearest to our village. Most of the smaller vineyards sell a Vin de Table en vrac, and their AOC in bottles.
DeleteDo you drink it chilled? Don't get caught driving through Saudi Arabia with it, though. That 74 year old Brit is still in prison after 14 months, and is facing 360 public lashes - for having 5 bottles of home-brew in his car.
ReplyDeleteWe always drink our wine at room temperature. I hear that the rich Saudi's themselves fly out every weekend for their wine women and song. Maybe he should have followed their example. I do hope his home-brew was drinkable.
DeleteBin Laden was one who flew out in his own jet.
DeleteAnd the Bin Ladens carried on flying right through the aftermath of the Twin Towers - thanks to their mates, the Bush family. Black gold...
DeleteWhen you say you drink your wine at room temperature, do you mean at summer temperatures too? I can't face a warm ( room temp is 35 degrees ) red wine on a hot Summer's night. I prefer my drinks really cold then. Is this just an Aussie thing?
DeleteIf red is too cold it disguises the flavour; it's OK with white or pink (neither of which I drink). Our house is always reasonably cool in summer.
DeleteWhat a bargain! I wish I still had a vigneron down the road. A friend who did just this has sold up and moved to the city. I miss the random gifts of bottles of wine left on the doorstep. His wine was very good.
ReplyDeleteOnce you get used to having someone like this nearby, nothing else would ever do!
DeleteI continue to enjoy learning about local customs in your area. Having access to delicious natural wine to serve with local chestnuts by the fire seems a very, very peasant custom.
ReplyDeleteThank you also for Lady Magnon's recipe. I may have to give it a go myself, even if I've no whizzing equipment. My little kitchen contains rather basic stuff. Only the toaster and fridge is electric.
Best wishes.
I don't think the whizzing thing is essential. Hands would do just as well, I'm sure.
DeleteI will try this recipe. Thanks to you and Lady M.
DeleteLovely post. Just a thought, is the alcohol content the same for new wine as it is for commercially bottled wine?
ReplyDeleteI'm not totally sure, but I think so! It certainly hits the spot.
DeleteSounds as though you had a secret sip of that wine before this evening Cro - but I am sure there is enough left to go with the chestnuts.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid it's all gone now... too many people wanted to sample it.
DeleteLucky you! I'm envious.
ReplyDeleteWith justification, Amy.
DeleteWhat a lovely treat...... our 'local' winery is not oft visited by us now because Lester's tummy seems to rebel against having to digest a couple of glasses of wine, so we have missed this year's most delicious new white wine which is nectar, pure nectar, and always gives me a flush!
ReplyDeleteI've never tasted new white. Not many people make white around here.
DeleteNow there you go teasing me with talk of chestnuts by the fire again !
ReplyDeleteI hope you took a few home with you!
DeleteHow delightful! No local vintners near me do that sort of thing; they do have wine tastings on various days, but you can buy only their bottled stuff.
ReplyDelete