But first, breakfast.
I enjoy having a hotel with breakfast but I also like exploring local cafes and bakeries. The problem with exploring is not always knowing where to go. Even when I’m hungry, I’ll walk for quite awhile to find the exact right place to eat. Sometimes when you are with someone, you can’t wander for an hour because hungry and cranky go together. Luckily Adam has gotten used to my indecisive style.
We drove out of Avignon and then looked for a “Boulangerie” (bakery) along the way. This stop was lovely so we did the French thing and had a croissant, un baguette, and a few other pastries. With our little cafes (espresso only, no milk available) they gave us these little balls of heaven. It was an airy pastry with big pieces of sugar on the outside and basically empty on the inside. They were soooo delectable!
Now onto the winery!
We met with Lionel who took us on a walk to see the vineyards. The hills are steep and almost everything is hand picked because they can’t get machinery up in those steep areas. We thought it was interesting that there are power lines running through the vineyards right over the grapes. I wonder if the electrical currents have any effect on the grapes...
After a little tour, we went back to the wine shop and tasting room where we met Alain Voge! He was this cute little old French man who I believe does not speak any English but we said “bonjour” and smiled a lot.
Lionel asked us if we had lunch plans and then suggested a few lunch places near our next visit. He said “you want a place with one or two Michelin Stars?” And we were like “uhhhhh” so he said he would suggest a place around 30€. We agreed but I was wondering...30 for one person or one dish or for the whole lunch? Agh. Well, I guess we will find out.
We tried probably 12 wines and Adam was smart and took notes. Cornas is a small appellation where they grow 100% Syrah, the other wines are typically blended. Voge makes a lot of Cornas and that is where this winery is located.
Adam and I have different tastes when it comes to white wines. Generally I don’t love oaky whites and Adam loves lots of oak!
We had three whites from Saint Peray which were all 100% Marsanne. They are allowed to grow and blend Roussane as well but Monsieur Voge prefers Marsanne. Traditionally this appellation was only sparkling wines (cremant ) using the traditional method but now they make many more still white wines. I preferred the first less oaked (and less expensive) white but Adam loved the Fleur de Crussol which was aged 17 months in oak. I think we may have this bottle in the luggage.
The reds were wonderful as well. Spicy, full bodied, balanced with a bit of fruit. Of course as they go up in deliciousness they go up in price. It was a really enjoyable tasting though. Lionel was so kind and gave us a bottle of the cremant to take home. We purchased two bottles as well. Can’t remember if these were to drink now or if we will try to age them.
It was a beautiful morning and the people of Voge were so kind, especially our host Lionel.
