Salon des Vignerons Independents à Bordeaux

the crowd gathers

Spent an interesting morning in Bordeaux at the Parc des Expositions . Every year at this time they hold the Salon des Vignerons Independents for small independent producers from all over France.  It’s a three day event over the weekend but we decided , based on the advice of our experienced friends who came along to join in the buying spree, that first thing Friday morning is the least crowded time to go.  

pick your producer

The carpark was filling fast around us as we arrived. Many had the forethought to bring along their own foldup trolleys. We’ve seen these for sale at the Brico and wondered how much use one would get out of them. Now we know why they are so popular – wine sales !

Is your favourite here ?

There were around 280 vignerons from all over France, including even producers of Armagnac and Calvados. 

pick a region - any region...they're all here

When you arrive and pay your entrance fee ( in our case we had free passes thanks to our kind and generous friends)  you are presented with your own wine glass to use for all your tasting – not a plastic picnic cup here but a proper wine glass ! Then you either start at Aisle A, stand 1, and work your way around the hall, or , you show that you are serious and go through your catalogue marking the producers from the regions that interest you and plan your attack. They are not grouped by region so that means you pretty much have to cover the entire hall. Once you have made your choices and paid the exhibitor for your purchases he puts them aside so you can continue on your way unencumbered, and tasting and buying as you go.

Naturally, there are places to rest and recuperate with a little food and drink  ( as if you need more)  including a restaurant, an oyster bar, a sandwich bar, boulanger, charcuterer, fromager, and a lovely man generously sharing samples of his handmade chocolate and nougat.

a little jambon or saucisse anyone ?

small sample from the chocolate and nougat man

brebis, chevre or vache ?

Of course we had to try a few things and made up a nice little bag of goodies to take home for the weekend to go with the wine.

not quite like the supermarket trolley

When you think you have done enough damage to your card, you arrange to borrow a large chariot ( first hour free) and go around collecting your purchases. This is not as easy as it sounds given the crowd now collecting around each stand and filling the aisles in your way. It's becoming more like a party . It was such a relief to be back in the car, boot fully loaded, and heading home in the sunshine.

our little haul

The Salon moves on to Lyon and then Paris at the end of the month so, if you are planning a visit to France, don’t have much time and want to try lots of wines, consider the Salon des Vignerons Independents in March in one of these wonderful cities.

looking forward to this sight later in the year

Bon weekend mes amis