If you are lucky enough to be in Provence at the end of May 2006, you could indulge in the Fete de la Vigne et du Vin, Throughout the departement of Vaucluse (84 Provence) various locations will be offering open tastings and the chance to compare and contrast a whole range of local wines from Cotes du Rhone, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Valreas, Vinsobres, Tavel and Chateauneuf-du-Pape. These southern Rhone appellations offer big meaty reds, some excellent rosés and big juicy white wines. At the moment we know that the following locations are included on 27 May 2006: Jonquerettes, Vinsobres, Valreas, Vaison-la-Romaine, Vacqueyras, Tavel and Ste Cecile-des-Vignes. There is a website, but it appears to still show the 2005 info - see check first for other locations - www.fetedelavigneetduvin.com, which included numerous locations in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Avignon.
Our own favourite producer is Domaine la Fourmone/l'Oustau Fauquet where they produce a beautifully velvety smooth Vacqueyras and a blockbuster mouth-filling Gigondas - "drink with spoon!" The domaine is situated just north of Vaqueyras on the route de Bollene.
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