South of France Wine Areas

"dick" wrote in news:5O2_b.14428$ snipped-for-privacy@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net:

At the risk of repeating myself, Gigondas, eat lunch at Les Florets just north of the town proper. There are many producers who have degustation, that is the word to watch for on signs. This is an area where potluck can throw up some nice surprises.

Thanks. Sorry for this question...is Gigondas wines similar to C De Pape...just on of same village?

What is difference in D De Pape and Gigandas?

Serious question...I know my Burgs and Bordeaux but not much on Rhone.

"dick" skrev i en meddelelse news:5O2_b.14428$ snipped-for-privacy@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net...

In Gigondas I recommend a visit to Domaine Raspail-Ay. Very good wine at reasonable price (10 euro)

In Vacqueyras, try Domaine La Garrique. They make excellent and powerfull wines with good potential for ageing. Read more at

In Cdp, I have visited Clos de Papes, they sell at around 20 euro a very good CdP.

Anders

Good suggestions. In CdP, I'd add Font de Michelle (good pricing), Domaine du Pegau (a personal favorite) and (though I've never been there) I'd try to get in to Clos du Caillou -- they're doing some great things these days. Ch. Beaucastel is also worth a visit if you want to see the closest thing to a CA tasting room to be found in those parts...

Mark Lipton

Thanks for advice. I had found these on a web site-

I am a bit nervous about accommodations. My Bro-In-Law used to be a yacht captain and suggested just book your arrival and departure cities for lodging...then stay at B&B's in route. (no reservations needed) If you want to explore longer in some locations it won't matter.

So all I am going to do is book a nice place in Barcelona for the first 3-4 nights, then for the last 2-3 in Nice or Monaco....and the 8 nights nights or so in between we will try to stay near Avignon, Aix in Provance, and others along the way...I will book train to go from Barcelona to France...and have car reservations made, and some winery appointments.

I am quite a planner and this will be stressful. I can just imagine a big convention in town and everything is booked for 100 miles. There I am in France, no where to stay. That would suck. At least I will eat and drink well.

Dick

near Avignon B&B and some meals stay at La Marteliere, tell them I sent you and they'll charge you double ;-)))

Good place, calm, country, close to everything (Fontaine de Vaucluse, Chateauneuf, Avignon, Isle sur Sorgue, Gordes. Great wine cellar and can give you greart advice, he's on FRBV.

Mike

Mike Tommasi, Six Fours, France email link

May I also suggest that you make a slight detour and have lunch at Restaurant Pic in Orange. You will have a fabulous meal. While there you could also visit and taste some Rhones at Chapoutier in Tain Hermitage.

Cheers Ron Lel

La Pyramide at Vienne is also back in fine shape.

Mike

Mike Tommasi, Six Fours, France email link

Looks nice. Thanks.

Nope. Hermitage is in Tain-L'Hermitage, located on the other side of Valence from Orange. It's about 70 miles away as the crow drives...

Mark Lipton

I believe that Beaune is the Capital of Burgundy.

-Cherie

Actually, Dijon is the capital.

Mike

Mike Tommasi, Six Fours, France email link