Le Saint-Vincent 2011@Cravant-le-Coteaux

(Delighted to have this report from Johan Le Calonnec on this journée de la modération.)

The 2011 Saint Vincent in Cravant les Coteaux on Sunday was beautiful, Hubert Page sang l'"Hymne de Cravant les Coteaux" and we were more than 1100 persons (all people sang with Hubert, very nice!).

Here is the menu (the chef was Bernard Tardivon from Poitiers

Menu Saint Vincent 2011

- Assortiment de feuilletés chauds et Gateaux salés
- Apéritif
- Mise en bouche "Tatin de navet et son foie gras de canard poêlé"

_ Aumônière de St Jacques tiède et Millefeuille de Homard et Langouste "Sur son assise de tartare de petits légumes, vinaigrette balsamique"
Chinon blanc

- Escalope de Sandre poêlée et rôtie, beurre rouge
Cravant 2007

- Sorbe de Poire
Cravant 2000

- Pavé de Boeuf crème de Morille "Brochette de légumes (pomme de terre, carotte et courgette) Poêlée de champignons avec cêpes.
Cravant 2006

- Assiette de Mesclun, vinaigrette huile de noix et ses Fromages (Comté et Ste Maure chaud)
Cravant 2005

- Gourmandise Cravantaise (Croquembouche, Framboisier, pâte d'amande nature cristalline de panacotta de fruits rouge)
Pétillant

Café et son Palet de Chocolat
sur table Rouge et Rosé 2010

After lunch (we finished at 19h30...) we visited the cellars of Joël Bournigault, Baudry Dutour, Guillaume et Jérôme Sourdais and Manoir de la Bellonière.

My best memories were Clos des Marroniers 2008 (Baudry-Dutour), the perfect Château La Grille 2005 (Baudry-Dutour), the 2002 from Jérome and Guillaume Sourdais and the 1996 Chinon (from Moreau, Manoir de la Bellanière).

After that we went to the ball and the cold buffet.

Christophe Baudry, the maire of Cravant-les-Coteaux, was very happy after this party, because that was another succès for Cravant.

Johan during the 2009 vintage at Domaine Huet, Vouvray

***

Le Fête de Saint-Vincent Epeigné-les-Bois

A report this smaller but equally perfectly formed Fête at Epeigné-les-Bois is here in La Nouvelle République.

 

Danses de la Gidelle

Saint Vincent – Dimanche 30 janvier 2011

The Fête de la Saint Vincent, the saint of wine and wine producers, is celebrated throughout France's wine regions on one of the last Sunday's of January. The centrepiece is usually a long lunch accompanied by appropriate wines offered in modération. Francueil, Epeigné's neighbouring village, marked Saint-Vincent last Sunday. This Sunday is Epeigné's turn.

Already 90 reservations have been taken and the list is now closed.  

MENU

Jambon au sauce Porto

Colin au sauce Beurre Blanc

Sorbet au citron

Aiguillettes de Canard au Sauce Morilles

Fromages et Salade

Profiteroles

Café

VINS

Aperitif

AOC Touraine Rosé Domaine de la Grange, Bruno Curassier

AOC Touraine Sauvignon Blanc, Cave Coop de Francueil

AOC Chinon 1989 – cave of Joël Segret – this year’s St. Vincent

AOC Côtes de Bourg 1996 – cave of Joël Segret – this year’s St. Vincent

Méthode Traditionelle demi-sec, Cave Coop de Francueil

This year two vines will be planted in the courtyard of the Lezard Vert, the village café, bar, grocery and restaurant. M Segret and M. Georges Maurice will plant the vines. M. Maurice was at the heart of the Saint Vincent celebrations for many years and is being honoured for this. M. Maurice also used to produce some fine Gamay until he retired.

2009 Vendange@Epeigné-les-Bois

 

Michel Mergot and his predecessor as Maire – Jacky Marchau@2009 Cérémonie des Voeux 

Saturday 8th January 2011: Cérémonie des Voeux, 18.00, Salles des Fêtes

The 2009 Saint-Vincent: Alain Tranchard (photo Mark Robertson)

Sunday 30th January 2011: Fête de la Saint-Vincent

Fête des vignerons
Messe
Danses de la Gidelle
Dégustation des vins
Banquet