ANGELA BIRD'S

ANGELA BIRD'S

	SOME PLACES TO TRY LOCAL WINES

Most of the following is based on our own enthusiastic but somewhat inexpert judgment.
Some additional recommendations have kindly been provided
by Edwin Apps, Charles Harriss and Bernard and Christine Collignon.

Visit John Sherwin's wine pages for an expert assessment and some tasting notes.

NOTE
Many of the relatively small establishments are not equipped to accept payment by credit card.
If you are contemplating some serious wine-buying and do not have a French bank account and chequebook, make sure you have enough cash for your intended transactions.

MUSCADET

Château de la Preuille. A lovely setting near an almost-moated castle. Small wine museum, plus tastings of some award-winning wines among the Muscadet-sur-Lie, Gros-Plant, Gamay and sparkling wine. Tues-Sat 9.30am-12.30pm & 2-6pm (15 June-15 Sept daily). St-Hilaire-de-Loulay, nr Montaigu (2km north of St Hilaire on the N137, turn right towards St-Hilaire-de-Clisson on D93/D54, then signposted off to left). (Tel: 02 51 46 32 32; fax: 02 51 46 48 98).

Château de la Galissonnière. Some delicious Muscadets, and an excellent sparkling wine "Perle de l'Amiral" made by Vignobles Lusseaud. Look out also for a grape jelly called "gelée de vin", which is delectable on croissants. Le Pallet - opposite Le Pallet station, but use the entrance on the lane leading to the village of Les Monnières. (Tel: 02 40 80 42 03).

Domaine de la Vinçonnière. A new discovery for us (1998), which we sought out for a delicious Laurent Perraud oaked Muscadet called "Amphora" that we had enjoyed in a local restaurant. In the showroom is a glass-fronted barrel in which you can actually see wine fermenting. Nr Clisson (about 4km N of Clisson, just off D54). (Tel: 02 40 03 95 76; fax: 02 40 03 96 56).

Musée du Vignoble. In a state-of-the-art building on the southern edge of Le Pallet is a superb presentation of everything to do with Muscadet. If you buy a souvenir glass at the beginning you can help yourself to a sample of wine on the way round.

BERNARD AND CHRISTINE COLLIGNON WRITE:
Jean-Claude Malidain. Try the Côte de Grand-Lieu, a muscadet-sur-lie that clocks up a gold medal almost every spring at the Paris Salon de l'Agriculture. The Grolleau - "grey" or rosé - makes a refreshing summer aperitif, and you can also find some reds - cabernet and gamay - though these benefit from being kept a year or so before drinking. 44650 Corcoué-sur-Logne.

FIEFS VENDÉENS
Boutique du Chateau Marie-du-Fou. Red, white and rosé wines by the Mourat family - among the most highly reckoned of the Fiefs Vendéens producers - on sale in a charming little former tollhouse. Located in the village centre, beside the bridge over the river Lay. Tues-Sat 9am-12.30pm & 2.30-7pm (1 July-31 Aug, Mon-Sat 9am-12.30pm & 2.30-7pm. Place Circulaire (tel: 02 51 97 20 10)

EDWIN APPS WRITES:
Alain Maraquin. This vineyard on the "Route des Vins" was recommended to me by by the Vicare Général of Luçon (the clergy can usually be trusted about wine), and remains a favourite for its good and relatively inexpensive Mareuil. Mon-Sat 9am-8.30pm. Domaine du Prieuré, 1 rue de la Bergerie, La Couture - 4km SW of Mareuil-sur-Lay (Tel: 02 51 30 53 52)

EDWIN APPS WRITES:
Mercier Frerès. The makers of the white and the red that are sold here in 10-litre boxes claim - astonishingly - that their wine is served at Buckingham Palace. Be that as it may, the fact is that it's reliable, well-made and - for everyday drinking - unbeatable value. Domaine de la Chaignée, Vix - 10km south of Fontenay-le-Comte (Tel: 02 51 00 65 14).

LOCAL WINES
Cave de l'Atrie. Visit Michel Roblin's barn to taste some authentic vin de pays: red, white and rosé. Tues-Fri from 6pm; Sat all day. Beaulieu-sous-La-Roche (signposted off D50, Maché road). (Tel: 02 51 98 26 42).

Domaine des Cinq Routes Didier Tallé produces a variety of wines just across the border in Loire-Atlantique. Open for wine-tasting Mon-Sat 9am-noon & 2-7pm. 3.81 €, children 2.29 €. Paulx (tel: 02 40 26 00 45).

LE MARCHÉ AUX VINS
CHARLES HARRISS WRITES: The Riviere brothers (who also own the Clemenceau restaurant in La Roche) stock some unusual wines that are not at all badly-priced. Look for "Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh" from Madiran - although not cheap, it is a bit of a treat. Caves Rivière, 74 Route d'Aizenay, La Roche-sur-Yon (tel: 02 51 37 00 80).

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