#2015Loire: harvest looking promising again in Kingdom of Cab Franc!

 Cabernet Franc grapes in l'Enclos des Poules 

Ingrandes-de-Touraine, AC Bourgueil

Last Saturday the wind swung round to the north east and this has made a big difference in drying out and re-concentrating the grapes after the week of very heavy rain – 13th-18th September.

 Gérard Vallée checking grapes going up the conveyor belt

 Freddy Mabileau's 2015 look – he is busy harvesting 

Excellent meal @Auberge du Mail in Cormery for Martin's pre-80th lunch

 In the private room @the Auberge du Mail, Cormery

Last Sunday (31st May) our house group (Les Huîtres Pétillantes) held our annual lunch at the Auberge du Mail in Cormery. We were fortunate enough to have the private room – the same room where we held our first annual meal back in February 1998. This time we had a pre-celebration for Martin's 80th birthday which he will formally celebrate on 13th June. 

We all chose the Meni Mozart at 35€, which offered very good value. 

 Santé! Martin with a glass of sparkling Vouvray 

 Martin characteristically in full flow 

 

 2013 La Raie, Reuilly Claude Lafond

Classy Sauvignon Blanc from Reuilly

 Rabbit 

 2011 Le Vau Jaumier, Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, Gérard Vallée 

Gérard's rich 2011 showing very well now but has potential to age further

Where to find an excellent meal on a Sunday night in the Cher Valley: Le Bon Laboureur!

Single menu@51€ on Sunday night plus à la carte

Trying to find somewhere to eat in rural France on a Sunday night is all too often a real challenge. It is even more of a challenge to find a restaurant where the food is excellent, the service impeccable and the wine list has many interesting bottles. Even highly-rated restaurants can be a considerable disappointment on a Sunday night with the reserve team on. 

It is little wonder that Sunday lunch in France is frequently a long drawn affair as it may well not be possible to find a square meal until at least Tuesday lunch time, especially in the winter as many restaurants are closed on Monday as well as Sunday night. An ancien régime! 

Fortunately we are just a ten minute drive from Chenonceaux and Le Bon Laboureur, which is not only open but really maintains its customary high standard both in the kitchen and the service headed by Fabrice. We enjoyed a really excellent and relaxed dinner there on a Sunday evening in mid-March.  
  

Amuse bouche

Velouté de cresson, oeuf mollet et lomo feuilleté à la fleur du sel

(my choice)

Terrine de lapin au foie gras, betteraves colorées 

et vinaigrette acidulée

Apéro and entrée: very fine 2011 Les Argiles, Vouvray, François Chidaine 

Epaule de veau confite, choux vert et rutabagas

(our choice)

2008 Le Vau Jaumier, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Gérard Vallée:

less opulent than, for instance, a 2009 but lovely texture 

with fine acidity to balance

Gratin d'ananas et orange, sorbet pomelos

(my choice and a lovely dessert – refreshing and not rich)

Dacquoise praliné, glace 'Guanaja'

(above and below)

Alcoholic cherries à la finale!

Bourgueillothérapie 2013 – more famous artists...

 @Café de la Promenade 

 @Gérard Vallée

 @Sébastien David 

 @Domaine Georget

 @Château de Minière

 @Catherine and Pierre Breton

Domaine de la Chevalerie

International artist@Café de la Promenade