43 replies to this topic

[N1CKTDV6]

So when us Brits venture to various regions of France what is our preferred tipple.  Do you have a single preference, one that you fill the boot with as you can't find anything as nice in the UK - or do you just try a bit of everything ?

In the past myself and SWMBO have tried a little of everything, from €1.00 to €20.00 and we like doing this to give things a try.  We have found a couple of bottles that we really like and bring a small quantity back with us, I really like a Bordeaux we found in a Hypercasino and a Corbiers from Lidl...  This year I want to try some new wines and so am looking for suggestions, whether it be a €1.00 carton in Intermarche or a €20.00 Chateauneuf DP....also wifey is going through a Rose phase so any recommendations of ones to try are welcomed....

Either way, remember....drink sensibly

[MalH]

If you can get your hands on it, Tonnerre blanc from N. Burgundy is an excellent alternative to Chablis (comes from neighbouring vineyards and essentially the same plonk) at a fraction of the price. IMO most cheaper French reds are only any good when drunk in their locality, they don't travel especially well whereas whites seem more robust.  Many a time I've tasted what I thought was an excellent red, bought a few bottles, drunk some whilst still in the area but the remainder have been disappointing when we got home.  Having said that, most of the best-known reds from the Languedoc (eg Corbiers, Minervois, St Chinian, Faugeres) will survive the journey while delicate Bordeauxs and Burgundies (especially Pinot Noir) probably won't.

[Chapmag]

I particularly like Haut Medoc from the Gironde.

In France you can get it from around €5 upwards.

On my birthday each year (we are in France most years for my birthday) I treat myself to a €30 upwards bottle, often a Grand Cru.

In general I find that the price in France is generally 1/2 what you'd pay in the UK.

G.

[franco]

Well as we are in Provence and the moment and drinking some lovely rose, we would recommend a blush rose - Chateau Romanins - about 18 euros in restaurant but we found it in Spar this morning for 11 euros.  Very nice indeed.  We have also again had a fantastic blush rose La Traversiere which was 4 euros 75 bought from local Intermarche.  We usually try a bottle and then go back and get about 4 if we like it.  We are look out of a lovely sauvignon blanc, but not found one yet, except for the one we had in posh restaurant that cost of 30 euros, not seen it in supermarket, so we will probably be a one off!!!  Have to say we do like trying them all out though!

[Maurice]

We do produce our own wine -- here in Kettering -Rectory Walk Wine Club
- but when in France we particularly like visiting different areas.
At the moment our preferred taste is from the caves of  Buzet.. good rustic wines at affordable prices.
But this is probably because we live in the Pyrenees and it is easy to get to.

Other wines that we are particularly taken by are the Crozes Hermitage from the Rhone region generally made with the Syrah grapes and is a few € more expensive than the norm.

For a good steady drink -- now of all colours you can get the "bent bottles" out of the J P Chenet stable.. you can get these at reasonable prices all over and are of good consistancy..Also obtainable at reasonable prices in the UK.

A good tip is to visit TESCO in the UK and get their wine list booklet and take this with you
-- It will give you an idea of the UK prices and also what the wine might taste like and what to have it with.

This time next week we will be hopefully on our way to the Pyrenees for a couple of months -- to sort out our wines.

All the best

Maurice

[shipbroker]

Clos du Roi Sancerre.......my all time favourite from when I ran a Bonded Warehouse/...

geoff

[bi6als]

I like Muscadet but Im no expert............not by a long way

I really cant tell the difference between an expensive one and a cheap one

I can tell the very cheap ones........by the effect on the bowels

[olderbutnotwiser]

Super U/Hyper U currently have a range of wines on at €1.80 - 2 or 3 whites, 3 or 4 rosés and at least 3 different reds. Something to suit everybody!

[west-is-best]

Sancerre - white.

Red - Beaujolais Villages or if I'm lucky a Cru Beaujolais such as Saint-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Brouilly or Côte de Brouilly.

[N1CKTDV6]

Wow, this is a cracking list folks....the "bent" bottles of JP are a favourite, though if Auchan have the offers it's usually a square box !!

Keep them coming, I'll let you know how the reseach goes !

[RogerL]

I load the car up to go, not to come back - well I will if we break the habit of a lifetime and go to France next year.

The only whisky comes from Scotland, the best whiskey comes from Ireland and the Belgians and Dutch make some very good beers - who needs anything else ?

[Chapmag]

RogerL, on 05 August 2012 - 07:05 PM, said:

..... well I will if we break the habit of a lifetime and go to France next year......

Roger,

Please just do it..... I'm sure you'll enjoy it... but more importantly... you will forever wonder what you missed if you don't!

It really does come highly recommended!!!

G

[RogerL]

Chapmag, on 05 August 2012 - 07:30 PM, said:

Roger,

Please just do it..... I'm sure you'll enjoy it... but more importantly... you will forever wonder what you missed if you don't!

It really does come highly recommended!!!

G

SWMBO and I have very unique likes and dislikes - we like sunshine but not heat for a start - we certainly won't be going for the food, drink, history or culture !!!

[shipbroker]

west-is-best, on 05 August 2012 - 05:00 PM, said:

Sancerre - white.

Red - Beaujolais Villages or if I'm lucky a Cru Beaujolais such as Saint-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Brouilly or Côte de Brouilly.

Kev...I'll drink to that lot................we were one of the first warehouses to stock the Georges Debeuf Beaujolais in the late 70's ear;y 80's and he used to come across for trade tasting days in Harrogate with loads of all of those...favourites of mine for drinking solo Cote de Brouilly or Morgan...for sharing over a meal Moulin a Vent!

geoff

[Chapmag]

RogerL, on 05 August 2012 - 07:46 PM, said:

SWMBO and I have very unique likes and dislikes - we like sunshine but not heat for a start - we certainly won't be going for the food, drink, history or culture !!!

So.......... you're in the Midlands... if thh South Coast (where I live) isn't to hot... then go to Normandy, Brittany or all points north!

I was a conservatively raise Lancashire Lad... but I discovered France in the early 80's and have loved it ever since!

Many take their own food and drink and then discover an alternative that isn't too bad!

Wrt history and culture you can take it or leave it....but I'm sure you'd find the history around the DD Beaches very interesting!

Go on, go on, go on, go on.... give it a try and report back!

G.