As autumn approaches it is time to start planning for the Wine Fairs (Salons) of the Vignerons Independents. This is a federation of independent wine makers (no co-operatives, negociants or multi-nationals) which exists to promote small independent wineries in France, and organises a series of wine-tasting events throughout the year. These are open to the public, but are also frequented by professionals from both France and overseas - as it is a great opportunity to taste a bewildering array of wines from all parts of France (including Corsica).
The wine fairs vary in size from just a 100 or so exhibitors to around 1000 in Paris - but they are spread out around the exhibition hall - so if you just want to taste Chablis you'll have to work out where the stands are, as there are no regional sections - so a Chablis may be next to a Cahors and a Cognac!
All of which prompts me to urge you to plan what you want to taste - you'll being doing well to do justice to more than a dozen or so stands over a couple of hours. Without a plan you may only get to the random first stands near the entrance and miss something special further back. So get a catalogue or check the website (see below) and work out where you need to go.
The other advice is to get there early - avoid the weekend if you can - and take something to move your purchases from the stand to the car - wine gets heavy. You can usually get a pass-out if you want to leave the show and return later.
The winemakers will happily take your order (and payment) and hold the wine for you to collect later in the day - but do remember to keep your receipts and make a note of the stand numbers - one of my group did forget to collect a case of wine he'd ordered and paid for - although it was an excuse for a trip to the Loire the following year when he was able to collect the wine from the vineyard.
The other thing to bear in mind is that because not all stands are connected to the telephone system the handheld terminals sometimes reject foreign credit and debit cards. This was a major problem a few years ago which has improved, but it still happened again last year. In Lille and Paris there is a cash dispenser within the building if you need it.
The atmosphere is convivial, you get the chance to meet the winemakers and their teams, to talk and learn about their wines - and the prospect of finding some great wine at vineyard gate prices!
The dates for this autumn are:-
Lyon 2- 6 November 2006
Reims 10-13 November 2006
Lille 17-20 November 2006
Paris (Porte d'e Versailles) 23-27 November 2006.
(There is also usually a Spring Salon in Paris just before Easter)
Nearer the time we hope to have some free tickets to offer in a prize draw.
For more info see www.vigneron-independant.com
Recommendations for stands to see at Lille (stand numbers in brackets):-
Domaine Octavie for Touraine Sauvignon (B30)
Domaine des Huards, Cheverny (C36)
Chateau Eugenie, Cahors (F62)
Chateau d’Aydie, Madiran (C49)
Chateau Gibalaux-Bonnet, Minervois (J37),
Chateau Ricardelle, Coteaux du Languedoc (B44)
