 |
| 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
