An awful lot of generalisations on this thread. ‘Champagne’ covers a myriad of producers, vineyards, vintages and quality. A real top fizz from the region is very hard to beat, whereas a Moët NV isn’t really worth £15.
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[Drinking] Buying wine in France
- Thread starter Dorset Seagull
- Start date
Dorset Seagull
Once Dolphin, Now Seagull
- Thread starter
- #62
Yes these are all favourites of ours. A friend told us the Cote du Rouission is grown on vines that are just metres away from the St Emilion but the wine is far cheaper. Not sure how factual that is
Probably absolutely true. But………those vines could be on the other bank of the river, therefore sloped away from the sun, or the way the river has flowed over many thousands of years may have cut more easily through sandstone on one side but in comparison hardly touched the granite on the other, leading to very different soil conditions.
That is not to say that wines just outside of the officially designated area are poor quality, just maybe slightly different to those within the region. All very subjective, but classifications usually have a set of criteria, be it geographical, grape variety, working practices and a dozen other possibilities, and if these deviate it is impossible to know if what you are drinking is indicative of the classification.
I’ll shut up now.
If looking for something different Pineau de Charentes is an excellent fortified alternative to sherry or port. Comes in white and rose/red varieties and available at good value in Super U (or certainly in the Super Us in the Loire).
Was in France recently (unfortunately for my dad’s funeral which is a whole other story, and I don’t want to bring the thread down). The only upside was coming back with some Saumur, Quincey, St Emillion and two bottles of Pineau, one of which I may have already polished off
Was in France recently (unfortunately for my dad’s funeral which is a whole other story, and I don’t want to bring the thread down). The only upside was coming back with some Saumur, Quincey, St Emillion and two bottles of Pineau, one of which I may have already polished off
dolphins
Well-known member
The Guv'nor is superb - we have a subscription to it now! They do a really nice white, rose AND fizz, too. Definitely worth trying.
Flounce
Well-known member
- Nov 15, 2006
- 3,453
A French restaurant owner told me much the same about Sancerre. Don’t remember the name of the wine but it was from a vineyard literally across the road from one of the Sancerre vineyards, half the price and hard to tell the difference.
Never underestimate the cachet of a “name” and it’s higher price because of it.
keaton
Big heart, hot blood and balls. Big balls
- Nov 18, 2004
- 9,884
I feel like you forgot the most important part of that story
I have the odd 24 bottles in my wine rackThe Guv'nor is superb - we have a subscription to it now! They do a really nice white, rose AND fizz, too. Definitely worth trying.
Flounce
Well-known member
- Nov 15, 2006
- 3,453
I like a good 'port' - I'll try and hunt this down when I'm there in August. Sorry about your Dad.
nicko31
Well-known member
France has 2.5p duty on a bottle of wine, UK has £2.50
So take a £1 bottle of plonk, in the UK its gonna be absolute £4 minimum with VAT.
In France its £1.25 but that VAT should be able to get back.
So the best value wine in France with the cheaper end of the market.
This stuff is pretty drinkable and would sell in the UK for I reckon £6-7, works out at £1.50 bottle in you buy in a 10l cask.
www.wine-calais.co.uk
Pre-Brexit you could fill then boot but had to pay French VAT, now its 18 bottles per person.
So take a £1 bottle of plonk, in the UK its gonna be absolute £4 minimum with VAT.
In France its £1.25 but that VAT should be able to get back.
So the best value wine in France with the cheaper end of the market.
This stuff is pretty drinkable and would sell in the UK for I reckon £6-7, works out at £1.50 bottle in you buy in a 10l cask.
Buy Le Petit Pont Rosé Bib of 10 liters
Buy Le Petit Pont Rosé Bib of 10 liters
www.wine-calais.co.uk
Pre-Brexit you could fill then boot but had to pay French VAT, now its 18 bottles per person.
Machiavelli
Well-known member
Yes, Loire Cab Francs are delish, best served slightly chilled and great in current weather. Their Sauvignon Blancs are dull though, slightly better than SB from elsewhere but there we have it. Chenin-based whites from there are far more interesting
Machiavelli
Well-known member
Some do, but it's only really first growths and garagist right bank wines that hugely crank up in value. Many more buy to drink it. I've even been known to do this.
None of that relates to the issue of whether the French keep their 'best stuff' though (which they don't). The Swiss do, but there aren't many other countries that operate on that principle and, with the Swiss, their production levels are low, prices extremely high and have an extremely affluent domestic market. Setting up for export entails costs too so, if you can get rid of what you produce at home and at sustainable prices, then there's no need to export.
Machiavelli
Well-known member
I also had a funeral for my dad recently, but it wasn't in France and we didn't drink anything. Going to Bergerac in a month though, and will very much toast him there with a glass of Pineau and plenty more.If looking for something different Pineau de Charentes is an excellent fortified alternative to sherry or port. Comes in white and rose/red varieties and available at good value in Super U (or certainly in the Super Us in the Loire).
Was in France recently (unfortunately for my dad’s funeral which is a whole other story, and I don’t want to bring the thread down). The only upside was coming back with some Saumur, Quincey, St Emillion and two bottles of Pineau, one of which I may have already polished off
If looking for something different Pineau de Charentes is an excellent fortified alternative to sherry or port. Comes in white and rose/red varieties and available at good value in Super U (or certainly in the Super Us in the Loire).
Was in France recently (unfortunately for my dad’s funeral which is a whole other story, and I don’t want to bring the thread down). The only upside was coming back with some Saumur, Quincey, St Emillion and two bottles of Pineau, one of which I may have already polished off
A chilled Pineau de Charentes is an absolute delight on a hot summer evening.
nicko31
Well-known member
Off to this area in a few weeks, great part of FranceA chilled Pineau de Charentes is an absolute delight on a hot summer evening.
BrightonCottager
Well-known member
Check the temperature of your 'cellar' and if it fluctuates. More here
severnside gull
Well-known member
We bought back 60+ bottles from our last trip
2x€30 (retail at £90 here)
The rest between €2.50 and €4.50.
So far we’ve had one which was a bit *meh* and the rest I would categorise in the £8+ bracket here