OPENING SOON - Bistrot Les Tontons, Saumur

Yesterday was an exceptional day for 'la famille Beaumont'. After many long, long weeks of anticipation our final meeting was scheduled with the Notaire, after which, Gérald and I left as the owners of the future Bistrot Les Tontons, Saumur.

Set in the heart of the historical quarter of Saumur, in the pretty square called Place Saint Pierre, Bistrot Les Tontons will open on Monday 4 July 2011.

Providing a relaxing and welcoming environment for all, whether it's for a coffee, a light refreshment or glass of wine with a friend. For those seeking a wine from the Loire Valley or throughout France. Lunch or evening dining. A private evening event... for those of you who know Gérald you can be rest assured his passion, enthusiasm and knowledge of wine combined with his love for the olde French traditions ensures the je ne sais quoi will be present in Bistort Les Tontons.

Gérald Beaumont is the man!

During the month of May 'Annie's House' was home to Anne & Kevin Major, their love for France and French wines brought them to the Loire Valley to discover in depth the variety of wines produced by the chenin and cabernet franc grapes.

Kevin Major, a highly acclaimed writer with an impressive number of awards to his name and is also a wine blogger; One Brilliant Bottle, a Finalist for Best New Wine Blog, Wine Blog Awards Vintage 2010.

Appreciating his time with Gérald and Géralds introductions to his vigneron friends, I will leave you to read Kevins touching comments:

I came to the Loire Valley with little appreciation of Loire wines. I left with a great deal, due in large part to Gérald Beaumont. Gérald is a storehouse of knowledge because he has lived with these wines all his life. He grew up in a family of vignerons, the lure of wine-making deep within him. It has very much shaped the person he is today.

It is one thing to hold knowledge, another to be able to impart it. Fluent in both French and English, Gérald is the specialist one always hopes to encounter – affable, good-humoured, full of knowledge grounded in experience. He is more than willing to answer any and all questions (no matter how basic or esoteric), willing to go out of his way to help connect you with vignerons and their wines.

With the help of Gérald I was able to taste more distinct versions of chenin and cabernet franc (the two main grapes of Loire wines) than I ever thought existed. But, beyond that, he led me to other varietals in several other regions of France with which he had personal connection through his years operating a wine bar. It was wine tasting flavoured with the stories of French rural life as well as the realities of winemaking in modern France.

If you are looking for an authentic wine experience, one you will long remember and value, Gérald Beaumont is your man.

Kevin Major
writer, wine blogger
one brilliant bottle

TripAdvisor - Certificate of Excellence

It's a joy for Gérald to share his knowledge of wine and today Loire Valley Uncorked was awarded with a 'Certificate of Excellence' from TripAdvisor for the wine courses and privately conducted wine tasting tours hosted by Gérald.

• Loire Valley Uncorked

Le Figaro - Brighton la Pétulante

Word of Ten Green Bottles is spreading across The English Channel/La Manche into France. To read the full article visit : Le Figaro.fr

Domaine Huber-Verdereau, Bourgogne - organic & biodynamic wine tasting, Brighton

A good friend of Géralds, Thiébault Huber from Domaine Huber-Verdereau will be hosting a private wine tasting at The Wine Shop & Tasting Room in Brighton on Sunday 15 May 2011 at 15h00.

(photo : The Wine Estate, Bourgogne)

Thiébaults wines are certainly a 'must have' chez les Beaumonts and a personal favourite is the Bourgogne Chardonnay which is most likely to be amongst the chosen wines to be sampled.

History : Domaine Huber-Verdereau was founded by Thiébault Huber in 1994, but originates from the 19th century, when family Verdereau began to grow wine on the estate in Volnay. Thiébault runs 6.5 hectares of vines in three parishes: Volnay, Pommard and Meursault. Convinced that the true wealth and flavour of Burgundy comes from the soil, he controls yields and makes his wines in the traditional manner, though not hesitating to use modern techniques such as thermoregulation and pre-fermentation maceration when necessary. The Domaine has worked organically since 2001, and applied biodynamic principles in 2005.

Burgundy Tasting - booking can be made online; click ‘here’ or by contacting either Sam or Simon at The Wine Shop & Tasting Room on: 01273 567176

'Annie's House' - Nathalie & Ross

During April we welcomed Nathalie and Ross to 'La Bellevue'.

It was soon apparent they were great appreciators of the outdoors, lovers of food and budding wine enthusiasts... we knew they were in for a fantastic time!!

And to get their week off to a flying start it was 'A Vineyard Discovery' with Gérald.

A matinée meeting at the Domaine and Gérald soon got the visit underway.

Lead through the vines, les caves and le chai, Gérald unravelled the art of wine making, methods used in old and modern times and explained vinification, of course there is much more but I don't want to give all the fun away!!

Concluding with an extensive wine tasting in la Salle de Dégustation it was here I met up with Natalie and Ross again before taking them back to 'La Bellevue'.

I think this is a fabulous photo of Nathlie & Ross and it is accompanied by their generous comment of their stay with us:

We had the perfect stay in Annie's House. From the moment we arrived we were warmly welcomed and treated like one of the family. The immaculate house with all its rustic charm had everything we needed for a luxurious stay. Sarah-Jane was always on hand and was only too willing to recommend great days out tailored to our interests. We were spoilt with Gérald's wine knowledge and generosity. We would definitely recommend both the 'Vineyard Discovery' wine tour and table d'hôte to compliment the perfect stay. We look forward to coming back for another tour and to explore more of the beautiful sights the Loire has to offer. Thank you for a lovely holiday.

Kevin Mayor, highly acclaimed award winning writer

For the month of May we have Kevin and Ann Major staying in 'Annie's House'.

Learning Kevin is an award winning writer I got 'googling' and soon discovered his great passion for wine, and not only that! Kevin's fabulous wine blog; One Brilliant Bottle.

If this coincidence wasn't enough I couldn't believe it when Kevin mentioned my post on Domaine Singla, whose wines he and Ann have much interest in and had missed sampling the last time they were in the south of France.

Interest in Domaine Singla is equally shared in la famille Beaumont household and needless to say, it was a great pleasure for Gérald to introduce his great friend, Laurent de Besombes wines; Passe Temps and El Moli to Kevin and Ann, these wines are perfection.

Read about Kevin and Ann's exceptional wine finds during their stay in the Loire Valley by visiting : One Brilliant Bottle.

The Who
I’m Newfoundland & Labrador author Kevin Major. I’ve written fifteen books, including “No Man’s Land”, “As Near to Heaven by Sea”, and ”Hold Fast.” And plays, most recently “Lead Me Home.” The most recent novel, titled “New Under the Sun”, was released in 2010.

Nothing about wine, however.

For a good part of my life my wine purchases were based on: a. the price ($10-$15, depending on the decade) and/or b. the label (whether it was eye-catching, preferably with a gold sticker from some competition).
It was Hemingway who wrote, “Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world.” Somehow that line had escaped me.

For years I skirted the world of exceptional wine, intimidated, ambivalent. But now, though late to the oasis, I’ve plunged feet first into it, reading as much as I can, and tasting as much as my pocketbook will allow. I’m feeling more confident.

I’ve taken a particular interest in organic, biodynamic, and natural wines. My original goal was to search out and experience One Brilliant Bottle a week, each week for the first year of the new decade, 2010. That accomplished, I’ve extended the project into 2011. It’s been too much of a treat to stop!