Auberge Côté Jardin, Conilhac Corbières

June 25th, 2009

Having just returned from one of our frequent visits to the Languedoc, we thought that we would continue to let you know about restaurants in the region that we think are a little special, whether because of the excellent food, good value, excellent local wine list, good service, great ambience or a combination of all of these - places which are ideal for lazy days in Languedoc.

Obviously, of late the weaker pound has had an impact on the cost of eating out but we still maintain that in terms of value for money some of our favourite restaurants take some beating. With the weaker pound and “le crunch”, if you simply go for lunch rather than dinner and keep to the set menus, you will not go far wrong.

One place where quality meets style both in food and setting is Auberge Côté Jardin in the village of Conilhac in the heart of the Corbières, a stones throw from Lézignan. img_01801In the capable hands of young chef David Prevel and his sommelier wife Sophie, this delightful restaurant gets better and better. The food, made with produce local to the area, is to die for and the weekday lunchyime menu at 20 euros represents excellent value. David’s twist on cassoulet, reworked especially for Summer dining, was a delight and to enjoy food of this quality on a stylish terrace overlooking Corbières vineyards on a hot day in June is a special and memorable experience.

For more information go to www.auberge-cotejardin.com

L’Auberge de St. Martin, Beaufort

February 17th, 2009

Oh, alright - I admit it!  When in the UK,  I do spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about chez Terroir in the Minervois and in particular the many balmy hours spent enjoying the wines and food of the region! I just can’t help it.

There can be no more satisfying escape during a long,  bone-chilling, snow-laden, ice-covered, wind-biting winter’s day under the grey duvet of an English sky than to allow myself to drift back to memorable, lazy meals under azur skies at  favourite Languedoc restaurants.

auberge-de-saint-martin-beaufortOne which often creeps seductively into my mind is L’Auberge de St. Martin at Beaufort, close to Olonzac and the unassuming but warm and genuine hospitality of Mylène and Christophe. However busy, Mylène’s easy smile and warm welcome never fails as we crunch over gravel to take one of the terrasse tables of this former school under the shady canopy of well-tended trees, past the store of immaculately stacked vine clippings,  to the accompaniment offeline a choir of cigales. The scent of burning vine clippings invades the senses as Christophe beams his greeting from his position at his trade mark feu de bois. I can almost taste the food - simple yet delicious baron d’agneau with the essential accompaniment of a bottle of Cuvée La Féline from nearby Borie de Maurel - concentrated and deep purple, bombarding the taste buds with first hints of pepper, cumin and tapenade followed by ripe, red fruit and figs. Bliss.

Josephine est arrivée……..!

February 11th, 2009
See - I do sleep ........occasionally

See - I do sleep ........occasionally

As running a wine business involves much dashing around between the UK and France, I often don’t know whether I am coming or going. Add to this the arrival on June 5 last year at 3.55 am of  Josephine Rose, a beautiful little lady who seldom sleeps, and you can imagine the daze in which I find myself!  Balancing baby and business as well as keeping friends both in France and the UK fully updated with all my news, both family and vinous, is not easy so I am hoping that this blog will ease the burden and give all who care to read it an insight into just why it is that over the last 8 months or so I may appear to have gone to ground!

In addition, specialising in the wines of Southern France as I do, I often get requests for recommendations not only of wines to try but also of places to stay, eat and visit . On this blog I hope therefore, Josephine permitting, to share with you the things I love about France in general and the Midi in particular as well as keeping you up to date with news about Terroir and anything that takes the fancy of this petite vigneronne.