Saumur: visits to Clos Rougeard and Domaine Saint-Just

A day trip to Saumur today – tasting with Nady Foucault in the cellars of Clos Rougeard, lunch at Le Pot de Lapin and then a tasting with Arnaud Lambert of the Domaine Saint-Just.

Nady Foucault

Arnaud Lambert

Separate reports on these two visits to follow. As usual Le Pot de Lapin was excellent, even though the famous oeufs en cocotte weren't on the menu today. I had the artichoke gratinée with fresh gooats' cheese followed by saute de veau marengo.

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Saumur-Champigny: Cabernet Franc in flower: 11th June 2009

Weatherwise today has been the first really decent day since Friday afternoon. In retrospect Saturday and Sunday weren't too bad but Monday and Wednesday in particular were horrible – heavy rain and wind. Not at all good news for the vines flowering. The weekend promises to be good with temperatures rising but much of next week looks pretty miserable with plenty of rain forecast. Flowering is well underway in Saumur-Champigny. About 30% of the Cabernet Franc has flowered according to Patrick Vadé (Domaine de Saint-Vincent).

Saumur-Champigny: Cabernet Franc in flower: 11th June 2009

Poppies, a wall and old tree above the village of Chaintre