Fortunately we had booked because Le Pot was full. We kicked off with a coupe de Crémant de Loire Brut from Domaine des Varinelles, owned by the Daheuiller family and one Crémant de Loire Rosé from Domaine de la Petite Roche in Tremont, which is well to the south of Saumur. We were particularly impressed by the rosé.
The four of us enjoyed four good first courses: compote de lapin, onion soup, feuillette de champignons and oeufs en cocotte, the house speciality. With this we made a start on our rich and pruny 2005 Les Adrialys, Saumur-Champigny, Domaine Saint-Vincent from Patrick Vadé. As well as making good reds, Patrick’s Saumur Blanc is often impressive. The problem at Le Pot is that there is such a choice of interesting wines on the wine list that selection is not easy.
Patrick’s rich wine went particularly well with the deliciously tender biche aux girottes that two of took as well as the fine ris de veau à la crème that the other two took.
Profiteroles au chocolat followed by coffee completed an excellent meal. Le Pot de Lapin is great – just make sure you book, especially at lunchtime.
2 comments:
Jim - what a brilliant blog!
The blog popped up when I was googling Clos de la Poussie, just above Bue, having just been re-visiting my own photos of it taken in May 07 - as a bit of a Loire enthusiast, subscriber to Decanter, annual buyer of Guide Hachette & Revue des Vins de France, and member of The Wine Society, your name rang a couple of vague bells, and then there it was.
Great to read about, and see the photos, of some of the places and domaines I've visited on swings through the area (and a lot that I haven't) - the Loire section of my own cellar runs to about 250 bottles.
Strictly as an amateur, on my last trip, I got some very pleasant red Sancerre and Menetou-Salon from Dom Henry Pelle, just outside Morogues, and a lovely M-S blanc from Dom Guy Turpin, which is located in the village itself.
A suggestion for inclusion in your list of accommodation & restaurants? Hostellerie de la Croix Blanche, in Fontrevaud, just up the hill from Montsoreau - and conveniently near Dom Filliatreau for re-stocking with the Saumur Champigny....
Will definitely be a regular visitor to the blog from now on, so please keep the info and reviews coming.....
Happy Xmas (and very envious of the blue skies)
Mike. Many thanks for your kind message. Glad that you have enjoyed reading the blog, which I definitely enjoy writing. Pellé certainly makes good wines from both appellations and will keep in mind your recommendations about Turpin and the Hostellerie.
Happy Christmas and try to get to le Pot de Lapin in 2009.
Jim
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