Oz Clarke's Pocke Wine Guide 2010

Featuring in Oz Clarke's Pocket Wine Guide 2010 Domaine de la Paleine is quoted amongst the better producers in the AOC Saumur and amongst the 'best producers' of the Saumur Brut.

Wine enthusiasts seeking an Oz Clarke style wine tasting can visit Domaine de la Paleine, a beautiful vineyard set in the picturesque village of Le Puy Notre Dame, south of Saumur.

Hosted by Gérald Beaumont, a bilingual French wine professional experience a privately conducted wine course, wine tour & wine tasting at Domaine de la Paleine, sample the Brut Saumur referrenced by Oz Clarke and the many more exquiste wines produced by this highly reputed Domaine.

If the Loire Valley is a little too far to go, you can meet Gérald at The Wine Shop & Tasting Room, Brighton, UK and enjoy a private wine tasting accompanied by an accords mets et vins, wine & food pairing.

Discover with Gérald the diverse wines from Domaine de la Paleine while learning about wine, the vines, food pairing & wine production.

Bonne dégustation.

For further information about our private wine courses, luxury wine breaks, full day Loire Valley wine tours & privately conducted wine tastings please contact Sarah-Jane at: info@loirevalleyuncorked.net

Oh! I Do Like To Be Beside the Seaside

Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside.
I do like to be beside the sea!
I do like to stroll upon the Prom, Prom, Prom!
Where the brass bands play : "Tiddly-om-pom-pom!"
So just let me be beside the seaside
I'll be beside myself with glee!












It was a picture seeing Augustins face light up as he saw the sea, sand and beach for the first time.

Constance, too young to know what all the fuss was about, got busy in her rather fabulous UVC protected tent.

And as busy little boys ran around, dug for hidden treasure and built sand castles in the fresh sea air, it wasn't long before Mummy was searching for the trusty olde bag of crisps.

Who Stays at 'La Bellevue'...?

You may wonder just who does 'La Bellevue' appeal to.

The cyclists? The ramblers? The honeymooners? Les gourmands?

All of them but the most apparent are 'the wine connaisseurs'. And Gwen & Victor were no exception. In fact, dare I say, certified wine connaisseurs & gourmands!

Our stay at 'Annie's House' was delightful, in such a beautiful setting and a very comfortable gite. Gérald, Sarah-Jane & the kids couldn't have been better hosts without being intrusive.

Géralds great knowledge of good wine, which he has shared with us was an added bonus to the fabulous holiday of good weather, great food at the local markets and a very relaxing time.

Thank you so much and we would have no hesitation to recommending you to any of our friends and hopefully we will be back.

If you need an olympic size swimming pool and can't stand bird song - this is not the place for you! If you want good food, excellent wine and wonderful hosts, give it a whirl!!

Gwen & Victor, Belfast

Vitiloire 2010 - Tours, Loire Valley

This weekend, 29th-30th May 2010 the beautiful city of Tours (49) will play host to Vitiloire for an 8th consecutive year.

Set in the centre of Tours this fabulous event brings together viticulteurs, artisans and sommeliers from across the Loire Valley region providing visitors with a wonderful opportunity to sample a wide range of wines, local produce and meet the vine growers directly.

During your visit remember to say 'bonjour' to Gérald who will there representing Domaine de la Paleine.

London International Wine Fair - ExCeL London

The London International Wine Fair (LIWF) returns to ExCeL London this week.

This huge event brings together producers, wholesalers and importers from all over the world, restaurateurs and sommeliers, to be frank, everyone whose work involves direct contact with wine.

Say 'hello' to Gérald as he will be there representing Domaine de la Paleine !

Chinon - Sunday Brocante (flea-market)

Sunday was somewhat 'bracing' on what was looking to be a wheather-wise questionable February morning.

But ambling around Chinon's Sunday brocante set along the edge of the Loire river more than made up for it.

After a lengthy 'mooch' and 'taking-in' of all the goodies and curiousities for the home and garden it was time for a coffee and Augustins chance to enjoy a barquette de frites !

Aided by Papa - Augustin was now in charge of his barquette.







And once mastered...

...there was NO seperating Augustin from his frites !!

Louis Vins, 75005 - Paris Best Kept Secret

Having recently received a 'mille mercis' from Fi-Fi, our friend and the proprétaire of Louis Vins for recommending our guests, personal friends and family to dine at his fabulous cave à vin/bar à vin.

I felt it was high time for me to share what I term as "Paris best kept secret".

I recall several years ago walking into Louis Vins and instantly thinking "this is everything one imagines Paris and France to be".


The food is exquisite, the decor divine and what makes Louis Vins unique is 'Monsieur Fi-Fi'.

Not only the owner but also the Head Chef, hence the perfection regarding the food. Fi-Fi makes a point of greeting his guests personally making dining in his restaurant all the more personal and special.






Just off Boulevard St. Germain, a moments walk from Notre-Dame, the nearest metro is Maubert-Mutualité.

This wonderful eatery is ever so French, ever so romantic and has an excellent wine list too - look out for 'Domaine de la Paleine'.






Louis Vins
9 Rue de la Montagne Sainte-Geneviève
75005 Paris
T: 01 43 29 12 12
W: www.fifi.fr

Montreuil-Bellay Brocante

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.

Route Touristique des Vignobles

Southern France suffered some extremely heavy storms this week.

Huge hail stones took their toll on the fragile new growth of the vines damaging them severely.

Thankfully the Loire has avoided being hit by these tempêtes !

Curiosity aroused Augustin and I took an afternoon stroll along the route touristique des vignobles.

A peaceful walk amongst the vines, vineyards and neigbouring villages.

Anticipating 2009 to be a hot summer I was encouraged to see the baby grapes had started to form.

Montsoreau, Maine-et-Loire (49), France - Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday was not the sunny day we had hoped for but drizzle and grey skies weren't going to put us off heading to Montsoreau to have a look around the market and monthly held Brocante.

Sadly our hopes of finding a 'Find' didn't materialise and we headed to our favourite cafe/resto to rest our feet.

Whilst I nosed around the market Gérald and Augustin headed to Le P'tit Bar to order hot chocolates.

Le P'tit Bar has always been one of my favourite places to eat since before arriving in France. It's a great place to have lunch whilst visiting Montsoreau, Candes St. Martin and Fontevraud l'Abbaye.

Saumur, Maine-et-Loire (49), France

A convenient 15 mins drive from the cottage, the noble town of Saumur hosts a fabulous market every Saturday morning.

The delicious smell of fresh breads and pasteries fill the air. Whilst seasonal fruits and vegetables, flowers, fresh fish and meats, saucisson, oysters and live stock make this colourful and vibrant market one of best attended in the local area.

The market, not only held in the town centre, continues along the towns cobbled streets and continues along the edge of the Loire river where clothing, accessories and an all sortment of household goodies, antiques and otherwise can be found.

The atmosphere is a busy one as the market ends at lunch time. Local cafes and brasseries buzz with activity and many a café is enjoyed on the open terraces.

Twined with Warwick, England and Verden, Germany the town of Saumur is also home to the famous Cadre Noir, the National Equestrian School.

Throughout the year these magnificant and graceful horses can be seen performing their acrobtic feats and I understand it is the croupade which sets the Cadre Noir apart from their counterparts in Vienna.

With many exhibitions and wine festivals scheduled throughout the year.

Saumur is a worthy visit, if not only to see the impressive château but to enjoy the beauty of this river side town set in the heart of the Loire Valley, France.

The stunning village of Candes St. Martin

With the warmer weather enticing us outside Augustin and I went to the stunning riverside village of Candes St. Martin for a lovely walk.

Named as one of France's "Most Beautiful Villages" and set along the edge of the Loire river, this charming village typifies all one pictures and romanticises about la France.