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Wine shops in Avignon

I am traveling to France with my brother soon, and will be spending 5 days in Avignon (and surrounding towns, including 1 night in Carcassonne) during the 3rd week of September.

I'm curious to know what the good wine shops are in this town. They need not be in Avignon proper, but it would be preferable if they were not too far out of the way.

Also, somebody is working on getting us an appointment at Beaucastel, but apart from this, what are the "must see" vineyards in the area (including the considerable area between Avignon and Carcassonne)? We're thinking perhaps Domaine de l'Arjolle and maybe Flaugergues, which aren't too far off the A9.

Note: this is not primarily a wine tour. We can dedicate part of the drive to/from Carcassonne, and 1 full day in Avignon, to that purpose.

Thanks!

- Chris

Reply to
Chris Sprague
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Chris, As you probably know, Avignon is almost next door to the town of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, so I would suggest spending a day visiting wineries there and in the neighboring towns of Bedarrides and Courthezon. Beaucastel is sort of out in the sticks, but in the town proper are Clos des Papes, le Vieux Donjon, la Nerthe, Dom. de Marcoux and Dom. de Pegau. My personal favorites to visit are Pegau and Clos des Papes, but your tastes may differ. For a more complete list of places to visit, see the section of the FAQ on the Rhone Valley (URL in my sig).

HTH Mark Lipton

Reply to
Mark Lipton

I second that. Call the federation of producers

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and have them arrange things for you.

Reply to
Mike Tommasi

Chris Sprague wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@z24g2000prh.googlegroups.com:

YOu could also look as Mark suggests at the FAQ Gigondas is a good stop as is Seguret. you could tie that tri in with a stop in Vaison de la Romaine.

Reply to
Joseph Coulter

innews: snipped-for-privacy@z24g2000prh.googlegroups.com:

Chris, We just returned from a trip in that area and would 2nd both Mark and Joseph's recommendations. There is a loop you can do that takes you through Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Vaison de la Romanie and Beumes de Venise to the east of CdP. In CdP, we visited Chateau de Vaudieu, they have some lovely wines and are not sold in the states. Their website is

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Tom AZ

Reply to
tomaz.alt.food.wine

Question about Cote de Cazoux:

Are those bottles of botrytis grenache and grenache blanc available for purchase, and if so, how much? I think you've talked us in to trying to visit this location. Gosh, 36 bottles shipped back? I can't imagine we'll do that, but more power to you.

Regarding Beaucastel, you do need an appointment now, and I'm happy to say that we've managed to make on. I'm looking forward to it, as I've heard nothing but good things.

Thanks for the great advice,

Chris

My trip report is minimal as I didn't take notes. We went to Roger Perrin to place a big order, quality was as usual very high and the prices good. I thought more of the white than usual. Also ordered from Clos des Cazaux, Vaqueyras and Gigondas. I consider this to be one of the best Vacqueyrases, and they did not disappoint. (Also they gain big points by not charging for shipping from 36 bottles; and the nice mag of 04 Gigondas they gifted us didn't hurt!) Of note at CdC are 2 unusual wines (the names of which I won't remember 'til later, sorry): first, a bizarre red made from botrytis infected grenache [!], really interesting and spicey but frankly not to my taste; and an amazing botrytis grenache blanche, of which only one barrel is made, one of the most complex and interesting stickies I've had in some time.

Reply to
Christopher Sprague

Hi Chris,

The Beaucastel tour was good, at least long ago. :) Sorry to hear appts required now though, doesn't seem right, especially given the size of the operations.

Regarding Clos des Cazaux, the wines are indeed available for sale assuming there is stock left. I don't remember the price of the botrytis red, maybe 12 or 15 EU. The sticky is 25 EU for 50 CL, expensive but not for the quality and of course only 900 bottles made. I doubt this is part of most tastings, (we're long time clients) so you may need to ask. Extraordinary complexity.

As for the shipping, we live in France, but 9 hours away by car. I doubt shipping to the US would be free! :) Sorry to be unclear.

If you do go to Vacqueyras and are adventuresome you might consider taking the little dirt road between Gigondas and Beaumes, which takes the high pass through the Dentelles de Montmirail. A lovely (and bumpy) drive that shows where some of the best Gigondas get their typicity.

One other point I forgot in the other post, you will be very close to the AOC Nyons for Olive Oil (which overlaps the CdR). This is IMHO some of the best OO in the world, made from the subtle Tanche variety. (As you climb the Ouveze valley from Vaison polyculture becomes the rule, most properties produce wine, apricot nectar (fantastic), olive oil. In fact we bought a liter of OO from Clos des Cazaux, though I doubt it was Nyonsais that far down, and being pressed in the mill at Beaumes.)

Have a great trip,

-E

Reply to
Emery Davis

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