The first warm days mean barbecues, friends, and good times, all while seeking a little coolness in our glasses! Let yourself be tempted by the "Pierre-François" vintages, a red from the Patrice Colin estate in Vendômois on the Loir hillsides, blending Pineau d'Aunis, Gamay, and Pinot Noir, and their sparkling and energetic dry white "Pierre à Feu" — a pure Chenin juice from flinty clays — or the "Gamay des cousins" in Anjou, a juicy and familial wine, that will enhance these moments of lightness... which we so desperately need.
At Mas du Pountil, near one of France's most beautiful villages,
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, and on the first terraces at the foot of the Larzac; here is a white, a melange of Chenin, Terret, Roussanne, Viognier, and Grenache Gris that will take you on vacation... or almost... with baked fish and Dolce Vita.
A beautiful white but also a lovely red from Terrasses du Larzac, full-bodied and sapid, that will delight lovers of spicy and fleshy wines, with roast leg of lamb or charcoal-grilled rib of beef.
Then, head to Franche-Comté for a true and delightful Jura discovery at Domaine Hordé in Port-Lesney. In a vineyard where bottles are increasingly gaining altitude in terms of price... bottles under twenty euros are like speleology. We adore the floral expression of this Chardonnay that truly anchors us in spring, or this crisp, saline, and non-sweet bubbly... ideal for exciting the taste buds before a good meal, or a delicate red with small wild red berries and a hint of fresh black pepper... we love it with a good cheese platter... let's keep it simple ;)
In spring, the sparkle of the season harmonizes with the effervescence of ciders and perry from Antoine Marois. His low-sugar single-plot cuvées, featuring fully ripe fruits, reflect his bucolic, even heavenly ;) terroirs... from Cambremer in Pays d'Auge.
The Curiosities: BZZZ, bzzz... it buzzes, it forages, it works hard, and we enjoy it through the mead cuvée from the Soubestre honey farm in Lonçon, north of Pau. A semi-dry that brings a little sweetness to this harsh world. To share from aperitif time or with a lovely blue cheese or even a warm goat cheese salad, some walnuts, and a vinaigrette... with honey, of course.
Want to extend the ski season??? That's happening at Bertrand Henry's. The only winemaker in Comminges, southwest of Toulouse, Bertrand goes all out with his Hors-Piste cuvée, a 100% Chenin white, for thrill-seekers. Helmet advised.
P.S. A wonderful book is emerging on Les Balades Gourmandes des Halles de Pau, highlighting artisans, producers, and restaurants in the area... A true encyclopedia under the high patronage of two of Aquitaine's greatest Michelin-starred chefs: Michel Guérard and Thierry Marx. You'll find the best addresses there, and we have the great pleasure and honor of being featured ;) !
And for those reading from afar, Pau is the birthplace of Yves Camdeborde; a great ambassador of the true Southwest and the "patron" of Bistronomie!
"A living encyclopedia of Bearnese gastronomy: it features revisited Bearnese traditional standards (e.g., chicken in a pot by Thierry Marx!) but also more mixed or contemporary dishes."
You can find this book at l'Escampette or Tonnet or via the "Librairies Nouvelle Aquitaine" website or directly from the publisher Cairn.
