Vineyard Discoveries in the Loire Valley
The Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre, Paris is certainly one of my favourite salon du vin of the year.
After much talk the arrival of the 69th AOC appellation in France is here - AOC Saumur Le Puy Notre Dame.
Last Friday we welcomed Helen & Steve back to 'La Bellevue' for their exclusive Weekend Wine Discovery - a weekend dedicated to Val de Loire wines and traditional French home cooked cuisine.
The evening started with the customary pre-dinner aperitif, and was shortly followed by a 'Beaumont household' custom...
Spending most of their weekend with a wine glass in their hands Helen & Steve had an impressive 17 different AOC appellations to sample throughout their day.
No time was lost heading off to the first vineyard where a Chinon blanc was tasted - only 2% of the wine produced under the appellation AOC Chinon is blanc, a rare find as Chinon is traditionally known for its fruity reds.
The mornings wine tasting concluded, at this next particular dégustation Helen was a little more reserved but Steve embraced his 'French experience' and tucked into a plate of oysters.
To avoid any temptation of la sieste a visit to the vines for 'a breath of fresh air' and a look at the surrounding countryside was opted for before the afternoon dégustations got underway.
Fortunate enough to experience une porte ouverte at one of the Domaines it was time all too soon to return to 'La Bellevue' for the evenings aperitif and a home cooked dinner.
"Just FANTASTIC, such a great experience ! Very friendly vineyards. A great selection of wines and extremely interesting to sample the difference between the different appellations. The Weekend Wine Discovery was everything we were looking forward to.
With next week seeing the end of Harvest 2009 at the Domaine it was the turn of the chenin grapes to be picked for the exquisite Côteaux de Saumur - a white wine and delicious accompaniment with foie gras or blue cheese. 
'The GP Team' !! Not quite recreating the romantic image of grape picking we like to imagine - but fortunately for them this autumn has been fabulous with glorious sunshine throughout the day.
The tractor and trailer used to take the picked grapes back to the Domaine.
With autumn taking a tighter grip daily the colours in the vines have been a picture.
Ready for the weekends event.
The weekends rain didn't dampen the festive atmosphere.
Marching along the cobbled streets of Montmartre bands played throughout the day.
Gérald sharing un verre with Montmartres Oenologue.
Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
Félicitations et congratulations to Gisella & Sander on their forthcoming wedding from la famille Beaumont.
Making their annual visit to the Fête des Vendanges, Montmartre and taking a momentary break from writing her 3rd cookery book, to enjoy the festivities, were our dear friends Jennifer & Harald.
Last weekend Montmartre, Paris hosted its 76th Fête des Vendanges which drew an estimated 350,000 visitors.
On Tuesday 29th September, 2009 la famille Beaumont become '4' as we welcomed la petite Constance Beaumont into our lives.
An intended 'escape' from it all was the plan...
Gérald, sharing Simon & Sarah's zeal and appreciation of wine arranged a day, specifically tailored for their tastes, visiting vineyards.
The AOC appellations of:
Since 1934 Montmartre has played host to the colourful 'Fête des Vendanges' and will do so again from 8th-11th October 2009.
Certainly one of the most colourful wine related calendar events of the year and most definitely one of our favourites to attend.
Poised and ready for action !
Clean and awaiting the first trailer load of grapes.
The first tractor trailer load arrives.
Here the chardonnay is being emptied on to the conveyor belt ready for pressing.
Varrains (49) hosted its 6th Les Foulées du Saumur-Champigny, a race course of 6kms or 17kms set amongst the vineyards of the AOC Saumur-Champigny.
Competing in the race was an impressive 2,500 runners, both seriously and for fun and as fun-runners past I couldn't help but get caught up in the festive spirit - a smile never left my face.
It was Augustins & my first les foulées and certainly not our last, the atmosphere was wonderful and an extremely well organised event for all to participate in and enjoy.
We were there to cheer our dear friend Hélène along as she had opted for the 17kms run...
...and by half-way she was still looking remarkably fresh !
Not all about the race, a huge fête for spectators and runners to enjoy afterwards included playground rides for the children, artisans cuisine and of course, les dégustations of the AOC Saumur-Champigny wines.
On Sunday 6th September Saumur hosted its 5th Wine Festival - Marché des Vins de Saumur.
No stranger to Saumurs' festival Gérald was there presenting the Domaine.
All the way from Perth, Australia Gérald & I welcomed Ros & Peter to 'La Bellevue' whilst on their Loire Valley leg of their own 'Tour de France'.
A full days bike riding and exploring...
...warranted the evenings aperitif !
A morning spent at a bustling local market was followed... 
...by an afternoon at the Domaine for a Private Wine Tour & Wine Tasting with Gérald.
Château visits and more bike riding where Ros & Peter covered some phenomenal distances continued...
And as all good things come to an end, Ros & Peter's final day in the Loire fell on Saumur's 5th Wine Festival - Marché des Vins de Saumur - perfect timing !
By now fully adept to the art of dégustation they enjoyed sampling wines from the 60 presenting vignerons, naturally spending more time with Gérald at his stand.
High interest in our private 'Visit a Vineyard' wine tour prompted Gérald and I to create an unparalleled opportunity for the serious wine enthusiast and a unique insight into wine from the Val de Loire.
The first Sunday of every month Montreuil-Bellay hosts its monthly Brocante (flea-market).
The heart of this small town comes alive as locals, tourists and bargin hunters mill around stalls full of curiosities.
With a little patience, perserverance and bartering a French treasure or two can be found to take home to remind you of your time in the Loire Valley.
One of our favourite brocantes to visit Montreuil-Bellay is dominated by a impressive fairy-tale château.... 
....which can be visited after a busy morning of mooching around the brocante and a picnic lunch along the river edge at the feet of the château.
