It's enough to make Eric Asimov jealous!

I think I'm a pretty lucky person overall.  And this week is no different.  A while back Kermit Lynch emailed me wondering if I'd like to spend a few days tasting with him in the Languedoc, hmm, let me think...  Yippee!!  In a recent blog post about Kermit's book "Adventures on the Wine Route" Eric Asimov mentioned that he would love to "...take this journey with him again, to see what his impressions are today."  Well  this week I am getting a little slice of what it is like to travel with him. It's something I've always hoped to do. It's so educational to listen to him talk to his producers about their wines, giving them his honest opinion in a very constructive way, and in some cases slurping with pleasure at the wines we are tasting out of barrel. 

Yesterday we met at a new producer of his in Faugères, Mas Gabinèle, then went over to see Didier Barral at Domaine Léon Barral.  These two producers couldn't be more different.  Mas Gabinèle wines are very tightly wound with underlying depth that is quite interesting.  Didier Barral makes very natural, sometimes funky wines with tons of character, much like himself. 

We had a great lunch in Bédarieux at a wine bar that specializes in "natural wines" or wines that are made with little or no sulfur.  No hot food, just wonderful plates of local charcuterie, cheeses and a wonderful plate of Iberian jamon, chorizo and lomo! Yum!  We had two whites by the glass (which I don't remember their names)  and then a bottle of Yvon Métras Moulin à Vent.  Delicious!

Then we headed off to Grange des Pères, a true Languedoc masterpiece.  But, I'm late and I have to go, I wouldn't want to make Kermit wait!  Today we are in Montpeyroux, Pic Saint Loup, and then to a small domaine near Uzès called La Gramière!!

I'll tell you more tomorrow!

Comments

[Iris]

I envie your chance to learn so much - and it's funny, Bédarieux is our nearest market place - juste about 25 km easr from Lisson! And I have to read your blog, to hear that there is a wine bar in Bédarieux ... incredible!!

Sorry that the adresse you gave for your wines in Germany was much to far away from Düsseldorf to purchase a bottle of La Gramière - but perhaps I'll find your wines at Bédarieux soon?

Good luck for the vendange - we're looking forward to it too - Pinot between 12,7 and 13 and Merlot following very closely.