Introducing BLT's Wine of the Week (No.11)

Les Valseuses
Domaine de l’Oubliée

What better way to welcome in 2013 and the reopening of Bistrot Les Tontons after the holiday closure other than with a fresh sparkling wine!

This week Gérald has selected 'Les Valseuses' as his wine of the week, a delicious dry sparkling rosé produced by Xavier Courrant, an organic winemaker and owner of Domaine de l’Oubliée.

Keeping in the spirit, that is Domaine de l’Oubliée, ‘Les Valseuses’ has been named after Bertrand Blier’s 1974 film whose three principle actors included Gérard Depardieu, Patrick Dewaere & Miou-Miou.

The cabernet franc used to create ‘Les Valseuses’ are harvested by hand and pressed to create a pretty salmon coloured sparkling wine which boasts an abundance of fine bubbles, perfect to toast 2013 to!

Happy New Year !

Bistrot Les Tontons
Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: 02 41 59 59 40
e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Bistrot Les Tontons : Gérald's Wine of the Week (No.9)

‘Le Clos’ 2009
AOC Savennières
Château de Plaisance

This week Gérald has selected the elegant, ‘Le Clos’ 2009 (AOC Savennières), produced by the organic & biodynamic wine maker Guy Rochais from Château de Plaisance, as his wine of the week.

Harvested by hand, post pressing the juice is placed into oak barrels of 2 to 5 years old and left for 11 to 12 months, a process which creates a white wine whose perfume is of fruits with an impression of minerals.

Another popular choice at Bistrot Les Tontons, ‘Le Clos’ 2009 is suggested served alongside our supper dish; Brioche de Saint Jacques Risotto Crémeux.

Bistrot Les Tontons
Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: 02 41 59 59 40
e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Bistrot Les Tontons : Gérald's Wine of the Week

Bressol 2010 
AOC Côtes du Roussillon Villages 
Domaine Singla 

With Christmas celebrations starting to get underway our attentions turn to food & wine to be enjoyed in the company of friends and family. 

For the 1st week of Christmas Gérald has selected the beautifully balanced Bressol 2010, a red wine (mostly Grenach noir) produced by the talented Laurent de Besombes of Domaine Singla. 

Another firm favourite at Bistrot Les Tontons an interesting selection of Laurent’s wines are available at our wine bar, The Wine Shop & Tasting Room in Brighton, UK. 

Harvested by hand, a maceration of 25 days is followed by an oaking in high quality oak barrels (chéne nadalie, chauffe noisette+), a process of which creates a delicious full bodied red wine with hints of licorice, dark in colour and wonderfully aromatic on the nose. 

Bressol 2010 is suggested served alongside Faisan sauce morilles a l'armagnac. 

Bistrot Les Tontons
Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: 02 41 59 59 40
e: bistrotlestonton@gmail.com

Bistrot Les Tontons : Gérald's wine of the week

Le Rouge aux Lèvres 2010 

Faugères

Les Amants de la Vigneronne

As the end of November nears so is the colder weather and the demand for ‘winter warmers’, slow cooked/grilled meats with sauces.  With this in mind, Gérald has selected Le Rouge aux Lèvres 2010 as his wine of the week, a sublime full bodied red wine produced by Les Amants de la Vigneronne in Faugères.  

A firm favourite at Bistrot Les Tontons this wine is also referenced in our wine bar, The Wine Shop & Tasting Room in Brighton, UK.

Harvested by hand the two cépages are; Grenache 60% and Syrah 40%.  A lengthy maceration is followed by a further 18 months in oak barrels to create an aromatic full bodied wine, dark in colour and fruity on the nose.

Bistrot Les Tontons

Place Saint Pierre

49400 Saumur

t: 02 41 59 59 40

e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Bistrot Les Tontons : Gérald's wine of the week

l’esprit d’Eloi 2010
Minervois
Château Guéry

This week Gérald’s wine of the week is l’esprit d’Eloi 2010' which comes from Minervois.

Produced by la famille Guéry of Château Guéry, l’esprit d’Eloi is 100% Petit Verdot cépage and oaked for 12 months to create a smooth elegant red with a lovely finish on the oak.

Suggested to accompany rabbit and exotic cuisine, this is also a wine for aging.

Bistrot Les Tontons
Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: 02 41 59 59 40
e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Bistrot Les Tontons : Gérald's Wine of the Week

Notre Histoire 2010
AOC Bourgueil
(Domaine de l’Oubliée)

This week, Gérald’s wine of the week is Notre Histoire 2010 from Domaine de l’Oubliée, a 7 ha vineyard owned by Xavier Courant and as a great admirer of the film producer Bertrand Blier, this beautifully structured 100% cabernet franc pays tribute to one of his many films - Notre Histoire (released in 1984).

The father of Bertrand Blier is the late Bernard Blier who starred in Les Tontons Flingueurs (released in 1963) – Bistrot Les Tontons.

Some Bourgueil’s tend to be light with a green pepper taste at the back of the mouth but Notre Histoire is totally the opposite and it is this which makes it an interesting wine – a lovely structure and a beautiful finish.

Notre Histoire 2010 will be one of the wines Gérald will be presenting at the wine tasting this weekend held at The Wine Shop & Tasting Room, Brighton, UK.

Available to enjoy at Bistrot Les Tontons by the glass or bottle, and/or purchased to take away.

Bistrot Les Tontons
Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: 02 41 59 59 40
e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Lunch or dinner, select a formula or à la carte at Bistrot Les Tontons, Saumur

Bistrot Les Tontons

Formula’s
 9,50€    Plat du Jour

12,90€   Plat du Jour + Dessert du Jour

17,90€   Entrée + Plat du Jour + Dessert du Jour
Bistrot Les Tontons

A la Carte

Les Viandes

17,00€   Tartare de Bœuf au couteau 250g VBF et frites maison
15,00€   Bavette sauce du jour 250g VBF et legumes du moment
25,00€   l’Entrecôte 350g VBF et legumes du moment (poids avant cuisson)

14,50€   Confit du Canard
19,50€   Tripe à l’Ancienne
Poisson

La pêche des Tontons (prix selon arrivage)

Les Planches des Tontons

21,00€   La Planche des Tontons

Dessert

Dessert du jour (le choix du Chef)
A Grignoter

 7,20€   La petite planche apéro
 8,00€   Le pot de rillettes (porc ou canard)

 5,60€   Poêlé d’escargots de Cornille (49) x6
11,00€  Poêle d’escargots de Cornillé (49) x12

Bistrot Les Tontons

Le Menu du Marché (17,90€)

Uniquement le midi : du mardi au vendredi

Lunch time only : Tuesday to Friday

Entrée du Jour

starter of the day

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Plat du Jour

dish of the day

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dessert du Jour

pudding of the day

Bistrot Les Tontons

Le Menu du Tontons (23,50€)

Uniquement le soir : du mardi au vendredi

Evenings only : Tuesday to Friday

2 entrées au choix du jour

choice of 2 starters

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2 plats au choix

choice of 2 main courses

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2 desserts au choix

choice of 2 puddings

 

Please note Credit Card payments have a minimum charge of 15€. 
Tax & service are included.

Wine with Bill Zacharkiw (Montreal, Canada)

Today, upon recommendation, Bill Zacharkiw and his colleague, both Sommelier/ Journalist / Wine Critic's from Montreal dropped into Bistrot Les Tontons for lunch and a tasting of the Saumur rouge, Saumur-Puy-Notre-Dame, Saumur Champigny, Gamay & Saumur blanc with Gérald.

Click here to read Wine With Bill Zacharkiw

Bistrot Les Tontons : Two versatile summer wines from our 2012 Summer Selection

Selected by Gérald, Pot d'Vache (Gamy) is currently featuring amongst our 2012 'Summer Selection' of wines being served at Bistrot Les Tontons.

'Un vin de soif', this light and fruity red is a versitile summer wine and can be enjoyed alone as an apéritif, or enjoyed alongside saucisson, rillette and galipette (stuffed mushrooms).

A fun label, a lovely little find, Pot d'Vache won't disappoint.

Another of Bistrot Les Tontons 2012 'Summer Selection' is Blet Tendre, a fruity white wine (combo of chenin blanc & tri-selection), as well as being a rare find !

Over the last few decades production of chenin wines from the départment 79, Deux-Sèrves has disappeared but Domaine des Terres Blances continues the tradition.

Selected by Gérald, Blet Tendre is perfect served alone for the apéritif. Equally enjoyable alongside cheese and one wine most definitely not to be ignored this summer !


Bistrot Les Tontons
1 bis Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com
t: +33 (0)2 41 59 59 40

Bryan & Dorothy - what a truly inspirational couple !!

My first contact with Bryan & Dorothy was in October 2011 as they planned their impressive 'Tour de France' - Annie's House was their chosen residence while staying in the Loire Valley.

From this moment I had waited in great anticipation for their arrival, from the open exchange of emails I could tell Bryan & Dorothy were going be great fun... and what a truly inspirational couple !!

The Val de Loire's riches; Châteaux, history, architecture, good food, conversation & fine wines, were embrassed while I received lessons on how to use some of the latest available technology... goodness me, suddenly I felt very out of touch.

Bryan & Dorothy dropped into our wine bar, Bistrot Les Tontons for lunch and this is what they had to say...

Not To Be Missed : (source TripAdvisor)

Everything from a cup of coffee to a delicious meal is available in this wonderfully positioned restaurant / wine bar. A great place to while away an hour or two with a beer, a coffee or a glass of wine from the great range available. Looking across the busy little square with it's lovely trees, being able to take advantage of Gerald's faultless recommendations - c'est la vie!

OldFars - 12 June 2012

Bistrot Les Tontons - Sunday opening throughout July & August 2012

In addition to the usual Tuesday to Saturday opening hours, throughout the summer months of July & August 2012, Bistrot Les Tontons will be open all day on Sunday.

Lunch & Dinner Serving Hours
Tuesday to Sunday : 12h00 to 14h00 & 19h00 to 22h00

While pottering around Saumur on a Sunday, in addition to visiting the Château consider meandering around Saumur's monthly brocante (flea-market) set in front of the Théâtre overlooking the Loire river.

Brocante dates : Sunday 22 July & Sunday 26 August 2012

Introducing 'les tontons'

Bienvenue to les tontons.

Gracing the front of our wine bar and bistro's cards are our two jovial uncle's.

Symbolic of Bistrot Les Tontons, our two chipper chappies, (who look ready to enjoy themselves!), have now been become a permanent fixture on the front of our wine bar and bistro door.

les tontons = uncle's


Bistrot Les Tontons : Place Saint Pierre, Saumur : Tél: 02 41 59 59 40

Weekend de l'Amateur du Vin d'Evreux

Representing Domaine de la Paleine Gérald returned to Evreux for the Weekend de l'Amateur de Vin d'Evreux wine fair and caught up with Thiebault Huber-Verdereau, Domaine Huber-Verdereau and Géraud Fromont, Domaine des Marnes Blanches both of who we work with at Bistrot Les Tontons and at Ten Green Bottles Wine Shop & Tasting Room in Brighton.

The weekend provided a great opportunity for new vintages to be sampled and future business ventures involving Domaine Huber-Verdereau, Domaine des Marnes Blanches, Bistrot Les Tontons and Ten Green Bottles to be discussed.  One of which will include wine tastings hosted by Thiebault and Géraud in Brighton and Saumur.

Thiebault Huber-Verdereau - Domaine Huber-Verdereau

Géraud Fromont - Domaine des Marnes Blanches

Wine tastings at Bistrot Les Tontons with Thiebault and Géraud will be arranged soon...

Bistrot Les Tontons, Saumur

After a shockingly cold spell at the beginning of February winter, for now... appears to have left the Loire Valley.

Snow has been exchanged for sunshine and cloudless blue skies, and a hint of spring can be felt in the air as the days now start to visibly lenghten and warm.

Last week the final touches to the bistro's façade were completed - here's a sneek peek at the new look of Bistrot Les Tontons, Place Saint Pierre, Saumur.

A bientôt !

Sunday Afternoon Wine Course & Wine Tasting at Bistrot Les Tontons, Saumur

Sunday Afternoon Wine Course & Wine Tasting held every Sunday afternoon throughout spring & summer at Bistrot Les Tontons, Place Saint Pierre, Saumur.

Join Gérald, a bilingual French wine professional from the Loire Valley, every Sunday (17h00 to 19h00) from April to October.

Held at Gérald’s wine bar and bistro enjoy a comprehensive wine course and technical wine tasting.  Discover the different cépages, grape varieties, and the methods applied to creating the blanc, rosé, rouge and refreshing sparkling wines produced in the Loire Valley.

35€ per person (min. 4 persons)  

To make a reservation or for further information please contact Sarah-Jane: email: info@loirevalleyuncorked.net or tel: +33 (0)5 49 22 34 09

13ème Dive Bouteille, Château de Brézé (49)

'All good things come to an end' and after a remarkably mild winter the snow arrived!

Not to be deterred Gérald and I headed off to the organic and biodynamic wine fair, La Dive Bouteille, held in the impressive troglodyte caves under the stunning Château de Brézé.

Marion from Bistrot Les Tontons joined us as we sourced new wines, not only for our wine bar, Bistrot Les Tontons in Saumur but also for Ten Green Bottles, with whom we have a partnership and wine bar in Brighton, The Wine Shop & Tasting Room.

An extremely well supported wine fair vignerons from - Champagne - Alsace - Jura - Savoie - Bourgogne - Beaujolais - Bordeaux et Sud-Ouest - Rhône - Languedoc - Roussillon - Provence-Corse - Loire - were in attendance.

Including producers from Géorgie, Serbie, Italie, le Coste (Italie), Espagne; Argentine, Chili and producers presenting cognac, ciders and liqueurs.



An expert in his field it is always an enlightening experience for me to join Gérald at wine fairs, not only to sample new and vintage wines but, in addition, to meet the vignerons directly, many of whom Gérald has known since his days of owning a bar à vin, wine bar in Paris. On Monday I had the pleasure of meeting Thierry Navarre, Domaine Thierry Navarre - Domaine Thierry Navarre will soon be available at Bistrot Les Tontons, Saumur.

Gallery of Photos : 13ème Dive Bouteille

Saumur - Saturday morning market

Every Saturday morning Saumur hosts a wonderful fresh food market, a market well worth exploring if the opportunity passes.

Place Saint Pierre, the pretty square, and historical heart of Saumur, is where the majority of the artisanal producers have their stalls - a changing vision of colour as each season dictates the fruit and vegetables available.

Bistrot Les Tontons is now quoted in the reputed French restaurant guide 'Petit Futé'

It has been an exciting six months since Bistrot Les Tontons opened in Place Saint Pierre, Saumur and today is no exception... as we can announce our bar à vin now joins other respected places to eat in the reputed restaurant guide 'Petit Futé'.

L'avis du Petit Futé sur LES TONTONS :
Des petits nouveaux place Saint-Pierre ! Les Tontons, c'est un petit bistrot bien sympa qui fait aussi bar à vin. Les Tontons ? Un clin d’œil à Audiard, le dialoguiste des Tontons Flingueurs, un grand amateur de "bonne bouffe". Et ici, justement, derrière une grande baie vitrée qui laisse observer aux alentours, on sert de la bonne cuisine traditionnelle, sans chichi. A l'ardoise : Terrines, potages, hareng - patates... pour les entrées. Et puis ensuite, bavette, entrecôte (et délicieuses frites maison), "plat mijoté du moment" en hiver, ou grandes salades fraîcheur en été. Enfin au dessert, tarte tatin, pain perdu ou dessert du jour. La simplicité de la carte est compensée par la qualité des plaisirs gourmands retrouvés. Parfois, il n'est pas besoin d'aller chercher très loin pour manger bien et bon. Il suffit juste d’apprécier un foie-gras mi-cuit servi avec une briochette et son chutney d'oignon. Et de l'accompagner d'un bon verre de vin. La sélection de blancs, de rouges, de rosés et de bulles est large et revue chaque semaine. Elle inclut des vins locaux et des propositions plus atypiques. Pour ceux qui décident de prolonger la dégustation, il est prévu de quoi grignoter.

The 'New Look' for Bistrot Les Tontons is Here !!

Since opening our wine bar, bar à vin, Bistrot Les Tontons in July 2011 there have been continual improvements and this week saw the greatest, the arrival of our new façade and Les Tontons signs.

















Gérald leaves the 'old look' Bistrot Les Tontons for the last time.

















The old glass front is removed...!

















The new façade will open fully during the summer months.

















Early morning in Saumur and the signs are going up !

















A 'sneek peek' of things to come for Bistrot Les Tontons 2012.

















On Sunday the children and I saw the 'new look' for the first time...

















...and toasted the past two days work with hot chocolates, much loved treats of Augustin & Constance (and Mummy Beaumont...!)

What Will It Be... ?

Throughout the year I am spoilt by Gérald with new wines and new vintages of firm favourites to sample, but since opening our wine bar Bistrot Les Tontons in Saumur the selection has broadened dramatically which, as December approached, as did the burning question... what will husband select to enjoy over Christmas and New Year ?

Along side the traditional festive foodie indulgences of this joyous period Gérald opted for a Puligny-Montrachet from his great friend Thiebault, Domaine Huber Verdereau, Volnay, France.

What an absolute treat for my taste buds who under Géralds guideance have learnt to appreciate the true elegance and structure of the wines produced in la douce France.

Mille mercis Gérald !!