A really big thank you to Rachel and Jon from Domaine Treloar, who hosted a wine club evening last night. The subjects for this occasion were 13 wines from Collioure. I won't go through all the wines that we sampled last night as you had to be there to enjoy them.
Enjoy them, did we? The overall concensus was that Collioure wines are generally overpriced, with starting prices for very basic wine being around the €7 mark, it was felt that this was a lot to pay for a great view. I wonder if the wines would hold the same prices if they came from the outskirts of Perpignan??. Having said that, a couple of the wines that were priced at around €13 were very nice. Quite an expensive mistake to make if you get it wrong.
Favourite for the evening was a 2007 Collioure Barral, Domaine Berta Maillol, AC Collioure 13.5% €13.50
One of the guest from the evening (M. anonyme) who spent 68 days at the governments pleasure in Perpignan gaol, after a Union Manifestation, was given 68 bottles 0f 1998 Domaine La Tour vielle, Collioure Puig Ambeille, upon his release. He kindly shared his last bottle with the assembled group last night. Merci.
Although Languedoc Roussillon wines are not the most celebrated french wines, I was interested to hear that Domaine du Mas Blanc, Cuvee Docteur Parce, Is available in more Michelin star restaurants around the world than any other wine. Even than the big boys from Bordeaux.
Rachel and Jon are available for visits all year round at Domaine Treloar so why not pay them a visit.
Beach Holiday
OK so it might be a bit nippy in the water but even in spring time there are a few people sunning themselves on the beach. If that doesn't excite you too much, then you could choose a destination like Collioure, which is rich with cafes, restaurants, Chateau de Collioure, unique church and much much more. You can fly easily to Perpignan or Girona and train or drive to this hitoric port.
Cultural Holiday
Ceret, is located in little further inland and is a perfect base for the wine tour, visiting ancient Pyrenees Orientales or art museums. Maybe you want to be closer to the city of Perpignan with its multitude of shops, restaurants, cafes cinemas etc.... You can even pop over the Spanish Border to sample the delights of another culture.
Ski Holiday
This is looking to be a great year for the Pyrenean ski slopes. you may have noticed that there has been quite a lot of snow over the past few months and the slopes of the Pyrenees have been no strange to the white stuff. The great this about skiing in the Pyrenees is that you can choose to ski from three countries. Andorra, France and Spain. You can even book a holiday within an hour of the slopes and just go for a day...or two.
Get away from it all.
There is nowhere better to visit if you just want to embrace the beauty and surroundings of the Pyrenees Orientales. Book a Mas (Catalan Farmhouse) and just while away the days. Take a property in the foothills of the Pyrenees and enjoy long walks and trecks, miles from anywhere. At this time of the year, as the Mimosa arrives with its splash of green and yellow and the plant world awakes, there truly is no place more lovely.
Clever Bit
So your not really sure which type of Spring Holiday you want. Should you visit the 25+ Kilometres of beaches and their chateaux. Do you do the wine tour or visit the ski slopes. Just want a quiet couple of weeks in the sun or want to experience the delights of northern spain.
If you visit the Roussillon, you can do them all, so what are you waiting for, come and visit us now.
