Recently, we completed our second Vine & Wine tour. Unfortunately I was unable to accompany the group on many of the outings. Here are a few of my highlights.
The first winery of the week was our neighbor, Domaine Gallety.
Alain Gallety gave us a full tour of the caves.
One of the first producers of the AOC Cotes du Vivarais. Their exclusivity means they are always sold out of wine to our disappointment. So we are thrilled when they open a bottle each of their two wines, ‘Domaine Gallety’ and ‘Sy’rare’, a play on words since Sy’rare is 100% Syrah grapes and only a small amount is produced each year.
The winery visit was followed by a tour of Viviers, a medieval village which retains most of its original buildings.
The cathedral of Viviers, the smallest cathedral in France.
After our tour, the group enjoyed a gastronomical lunch at Relais du Vivarais. The group was off to visit Mas d’Intras. It was a day for local wineries and it ended with a tour and tasting at our own winery, Notre Dame de Cousignac.
We prepared dinner of wild boar. Surprise, the meat had fur and a hoof until shortly before our guests ate it. I’m not a fan of wild boar but Raphael prepare this one perfectly.
Unfortunately this was my last outing with the group until Cassis. I missed Avignon and Chateauneuf du Pape with a tasting at Ogier; I missed Die and Jaillance and the restaurant Le Caveau; Jaboulet and Lyon and the amazing dinner at L’Escalin.
And then finally Cassis.
This Provençal Life 