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On our website at Villa Roquette we give information about activities and events happening near us – if you stay with us we can help you find fairs, markets, exhibitions, carnivals plus the best places for golf, fishing, cycling, walking and many many other activities, or just the best beaches and bars. A new initiative locally is for the wine makers to offer special events, many are organising walks in the beautiful countryside with story tellers, picnics and plenty of wine. I replied to a recent mail from a reader of our newsletter about other sources of information…. = Tony, My question for this trip to France is regarding an article and U-tube video you posted in June – Balades in Languedoc. That function was offered up only in July and August, but looked like a great way to spend a day. Are you aware of anything like that that may be available to participate in the last week of October? This trip we hope to have some time to just enjoy the French life. Gary and Bonnie = Hi Gary and Bonnie Do call round when you are here and share a bottle 🙂 Some vignerons do these balade I mentioned in my post at http://www.twiku.com/balade-in-languedoc/ in the early summer when there is not a lot happening in the fields, but after late July they don’t have time. By October it is considered too chilly and the tourist season is over so nothing much happens – however by late October all the work is done and the new wines are getting produced, most of the cave cooperative have a big open day, clebration and booze-up. If you can stand up to an hour of endless speeeches, you can then test lots of the latest booze and often get music food and music – some charge a few euro, many are free. You can tell when the speeches are getting to the end when the local pensioners start edging quietly to the groaning boards of wine and food – make for the bottles that are popular with the chaps with florid noses, this is the good stuff. Information about local events can be tricky to find – there are a few publications and leaflets, most are available from your local mairie – other information locally online is from …….. http://www.heraultwhatson.info/ http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ http://www.languedocliving.com/ http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/ http://languedoc.angloinfo.com/ http://www.creme-de-languedoc.com/ http://www.languedoc-roussillon.eu.com/ http://www.lacdusalagou.com/index.php  Lunch after a walk in the countryside around Villa Roquette |
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Category Archives: Wine
Meeting With Jean Huillet
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The change of name from ‘Languedoc’ to ‘Sud de France’ for marketing matters such as; wine, airports and tourism, prompted mail from my newsletter readers, many thought this is wrong. I am pleased to report that there is no intention, yet, of pushing the name Languedoc into oblivion and I have now met the man behind this initiative – the big cheese himself, Jean Huillet
Andre Boye, Jean-Charles Domens, Tony (me), Jean Huillet and Carole (pretty flamingo) |
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The Best Wines on Our Doorstep
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Hello – I have been receiving your newsletter for a couple of years now, as the dream is to live in France one day, but live in London currently. My friend and I are great fans of good wine and would love to visit some excellent vineyards in your region. I have Paul Strang’s book on the wines of the area but wondered if you would have any recommendations of any special Coteaux de Languedoc vineyards you know of? Thanks for your great newsletters by the way, they help me keep the dream alive! Warm regards = Hi Tulip Two places we like very much locally are St Jean de Bebian, on the road from Pezenas to Nizas – and Mas de Chimeres, just outside Octon http://louisdressner.com/Darde In the center of Pezenas, opposite the fountain is an excellent wine shop with many of the small local producers wines and selling at the same price as them – At the top of the high street – round the corner,slightly hidden,is a small shop – le Nez dans Le Verre – the owner is Helen Mir, also a good producer and she has many good wines. In our village, Montblanc, my preferred producer is Belleview – she makes excellent wine and sells nearly all to Japan so it never gets to other markets outside of the village. http://www.domainedebellevue.com Best wishes Tony |
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