Rhone suggestions

"Ric" wrote in news:1148239041.183849.202560 @i39g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

stop in Gigondas eat lunch at Les Florets and then visit Domaine la Garrigue their winery.

Thanks Joseph - had tried to book to stay at Les Florets, but it was booked; will definitely stop there for lunch tho, and try Domaine la Garrigue - thanks

"Ric" wrote in news:1148252428.258842.209070 @j55g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

don't know where you plan on staying but Avignon has some very nice accomodation and several top notch restaurants, If I knew your tastes in hotels I could give a recommend.

Actually, if staying in that area I'd suggest Villeneuve Les Avignon instead: charming town with some excellent accomodations and good restaurants, and just across the river from Avignon. You can sing "Sur la pont D'Avignon" the whole way across the river. :P

As for wineries to visit in CdP, the ones I've enjoyed: Domaine du Pegau Clos des Papes Font de Michelle

Ch. de Beaucastel is also worth a visit, though it's a lot more Californian in feel. Keep in mind that most wineries are run out of people's homes, and it's the winemaker or a family member who will receive you. Phoning ahead for a reservation is always advisable. With the exception of Beaucastel and Pegau, expect to speak French.

Mark Lipton

O la la, professeur! Eet eez "le pont" parce que eet eez boy!

Interesting anthropological study we make een la France wiz zis song, to know how zee ancien tradespeople "did it" in zer time, which we do not deespise, and compare to how zee courrant tradespeople "do it," of which we know from our experience intime! Zo, we trace great currants of zee people of le coq, which shows again ees importante to know boys from girls.

Otherwise, I recommend a stop at Clos des Cazaux in Vacqueyras. Very fine. Also one of the best Beaume de Venises is Dom. Durban, which would be worth a visit for the gorgeous spot even if the wine weren't terrific.

-E

Mark Lipton wrote in news:o-WdnS8IQcJ1qezZnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@insightbb.com:

Keep in mind that most wineries are run out of

I have found that such visits are the one's that produce the most surprises. a few smiles sometimes bring out some dusty bottles of well aged wines, sometimes not. The truly important thing is not the qulaity of your French but the degree of appreciation shown and IMHO one need not fawn over the mediocre just treat it with some respect and note the truly better, the host will know the difference already and appreciate your palate all the more for it.

Anothr thing, always be b=prepared to buy, you will have taken up a lot of someone's time and except at the big places or formal tasting rooms this often means the owners time. the best praise isn't magnifique!it is "Je voudrais , une, deux etc."

Joseph Coulter wrote in news:Xns97CB4F62517EAyourvacationcomcastn@216.196.97.136:

Wow, does that sound pendantic? Who is this person that he should tell the world how to act? oops, it was me sorry about getting on my high horse.

Ack!!! Caught again by the ever-present gender issue. I *did* actually think about it while writing that post, but in my dimly recollected version of the song I heard la not le. I've probably mispronounced it lo these many years... :(

I also read something about the fact that the original lyrics were not "sur le pont..." at all, but that it mutated over the years.

Mark Lipton

That said it is a very frequent complaint that french winemakers have about Americans. Everyone understands the problem with schlepping bottles on the plane, but why not buy a bottle for a picnic? So the logic goes, anyway.

-E

Mark Lipton wrote in news:6sydnXyt18ngIOzZnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@insightbb.com:

the question is not so much what they were doing on the bridge but UNDER the bridge that gives a bit of scandal to the song.

Great minds think alike - we are indeed staying in Avignon. As I said before, had hoped to stay at least one night at Les Florets in Gigondas, but we are booked at Hostellerie les Frenes in Avignon, and will drive from there to the wineries we wish to visit. Appreciate all who have mentioned favorite wineries. We'll be focusing mostly on Southern Rhone; Chateauneuf-du-Pape up through Gigondas - but will take in some Northern Rhone (Hermitage, et al) on our way back to Burgundy.

Hoping that hotel is on your list "very nice" places - and would appreciate restaurant recommends.

"Joseph Coulter" skrev i meddelandet news:Xns97CB6A95CF78Cyourvacationcomcastn@216.196.97.136...

Hmmmm ... UNDER the bridge ... that would be a rock ballad with a slightly complicated guitar intro by the Red Hot CHili Peppers ...

HTH

Nils Gustaf

"Ric" wrote in news:1148309450.261096.155260 @j55g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

Your hotel is a bit out of the way from the center (or Villeneuve) where I am more familiar. Avignon has about 5 or so one star restaurants, the only one with which I am familiar (as in have eaten at) being the Europe which is just inside the city walls and has closeby parking (my favorite hotel in S. France by the way) a bit less pricy but very nice and an easy walk from the parking near to the Europe are l'isle Sonnante and Le Fourchette.

"Ric" wrote in news:1148309450.261096.155260 @j55g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

I would definitely stop at Tournon/Tain l'Hermitage. Tournon is more scenic but the big names are in Tain (Chapoutier, Jaboulet)

Vienne is also not to be missed from a touristic point.

When in Tournon, stop for lunch at Le Chaudron, very good value and a favourite place of the local vignerons.

Gigondas is only 3km from Vacqueyras and 8km from Beaumes de Venise.

And, if you have a little non-wine time, why not drive to the summit of Mount Ventoux - at over 6,000 feet it dominates the landscape.

You will marvel at the strength (read insanity!) of Lance Armstrong et al who race over that beast on bicycles.

Nils Gustaf Lindgren ha scritto:

"..I don't ever want to drink like I did that day take to the place I love, take me all the way.."

;-)

Luk

"Luk" skrev i meddelandet news:44730956$0$14787$ snipped-for-privacy@reader4.news.tin.it...

"Sotto il ponte" - I Peperoncini Rossi Bollenti ...

Nils Gustaf Lindgren ha scritto:

in fact this is the chorus of "under the bridge"...more or less

:-)

Luk