Internet access is not so readily available, now that we are out in the middle of rural Languedoc. Who’d have thought I would ever lament the absence of a nearby MacDonalds (for Internet access only, mind)! The sun finally arrived with a vengeance on Friday, for our last day in Roussillon and has stayed with us ever since, until we awoke to rain this morning. But the sun is starting to break through and it looks like we are in for another hot, sunny afternoon. So we are heading for the beach at Marseillan.
On our journey from Roussillon to Languedoc, we took the scenic route over (and around) the hills towards the Fenouilledes and my grower in Maury, Mas de Lavail. Winemaker Nicolas Batlle and his family were pleased to receive us and we tasted through his current vintages, including a big, yet elegant white, several fine reds and two brilliant Maury vins doux naturel (a red and a white). All of the wines were excellent and we came away with samples of all of them. I had almost forgotten what a brilliant winemaker Nicolas is and I certainly look forward to replenishing my list with plenty of Mas de Lavail wines.
The vineyards surrounding Mas de Lavail with Chateau de Queribus perched on the hillside in the distance
Our latest accommodation in Languedoc is a lovely wooden lodge, situated in the middle of a vineyard near Neffies. The villa in Roussillon, with its extremely high standard of comfort and facilities (not to mention those stunning views of the Pyrennées) was a hard act to follow, but we have settled in to our surroundings and are enjoying the peace and solitude out here. And the pool is like a nice cool (i.e. almost verging on warm) bath!
Although this is predominantly a family holiday, I will no doubt look to make one or two more grower visits in the few days we have left, and I will report on these in due course. Meanwhile, it is time for the beach!
On our journey from Roussillon to Languedoc, we took the scenic route over (and around) the hills towards the Fenouilledes and my grower in Maury, Mas de Lavail. Winemaker Nicolas Batlle and his family were pleased to receive us and we tasted through his current vintages, including a big, yet elegant white, several fine reds and two brilliant Maury vins doux naturel (a red and a white). All of the wines were excellent and we came away with samples of all of them. I had almost forgotten what a brilliant winemaker Nicolas is and I certainly look forward to replenishing my list with plenty of Mas de Lavail wines.
The vineyards surrounding Mas de Lavail with Chateau de Queribus perched on the hillside in the distanceOur latest accommodation in Languedoc is a lovely wooden lodge, situated in the middle of a vineyard near Neffies. The villa in Roussillon, with its extremely high standard of comfort and facilities (not to mention those stunning views of the Pyrennées) was a hard act to follow, but we have settled in to our surroundings and are enjoying the peace and solitude out here. And the pool is like a nice cool (i.e. almost verging on warm) bath!
Although this is predominantly a family holiday, I will no doubt look to make one or two more grower visits in the few days we have left, and I will report on these in due course. Meanwhile, it is time for the beach!
1 comment:
As you're now close to Caux on your two-centre holiday you may may be interested in a new biodynamic venture by Peter and Deborah Core. They bought vineyards from Domaine de la Garance and 2006 was their first vintage. Their 2008 Rose is delicious. See www.mas-gabriel.co.uk
Post a Comment