Epeigné-les-Bois: couscous and vendange 2009

Report from Mark Robertson:

Saturday 12 September: Cous-cous evening@Le Lézard Vert

Le Lézard Vert, Epeigné-les-Bois

This was a great success. Stephanie and Nacer had to close the books with 80 reservations plus 5 kids. The cous-cous was served as a plat unique. As well as the semoule and a tasty broth containing carrots, courgettes and chickpeas each diner got a brochette of lamb (cooked pink) a merguez and a 1/4 of grilled chicken. Plus Nacer's speciality of grilled (incendiary) green peppers. A 1/4 litre of chilled red/rose for each diner plus a coffee and accompanying moroccan pastry - price 15€. As they didn't want to skimp on the servings an extra 30 portions were prepared. These sold out by 10.30 on Sunday morning. We fancied a cous-cous lunch whilst finishing the Sauvignon harvest but unfortunately arrived too late (as did several others).

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Nacer drawing a beer watched by Alric and Stéphanie

Great to hear that this first cous-cous evening was such a success. Sounds great value. Hope that this will be the first of many and that the plans for the restaurant are able to move forward. Clearly Epeigné is now benefitting from Nacer's experience of running a restaurant in Paris, where cous-cous was a speciality.

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Clos Chossay 'grand cru' 2009 Sauvignon Blanc harvest

'le grand cru'

On the Sauvignon - small yield (about 25 litres) but of good quality. The dry spell in August plus a strong north east wind that has been blowing for the last 5 days undoubtedly reduced the berry size/water content (50 kg of grapes harvested would normally give 37.5 litres of must). 12.3% potential alcohol, good acid balance and aromatic profile.

View of Epeigné's south-facing 'grand côte'

Weather here is set good for the next two weeks with a little - much needed - rain forecast over the next couple of days. Won't touch the reds until the beginning of October.

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Just 25 litres of Sauvignon Blanc or 30 bottles makes the production of Le Pin look like a high volume, jug wine!