Ambling Through Provence's Vineyards
I don’t know if it is the {seemingly} constant sunshine, the sound of frogs plipping into the ancient pond, or simply being surrounded by wine each day, but the team at Château La Tour de l'Évêque are, hands-down, the most laid-back and charming wine producers I’ve yet to meet.
Turning up to the chateau impromptu on a dusty Thursday, having missed the near-invisible turning outside the village of Pierrefeu, twice, the fresh-faced team could not have smiled wider or made my weak French and I feel more at home under the quietly impressive shades of this 18th Century chateau.
A view across the vines at Château La Tour de l'Évêque
My {limited} experience of French wine tasting is mostly as a revered and determined activity, with much creasing of brow and swishing of cheek; but to my delight the southern contingent of this great nation seemed to handle things a little differently. Tasting was immediately proffered – “before?” Or would I prefer "after my tour?”.
There followed a potted history of the property – it formerly belonged to the clergy as a summer residence of the Archbishops of Toulon, and of the family, who have been associated with the domaine since 1933, whilst being whisked through the vines (Semillon, Grenache, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rolle {more commonly known as Vermentino}, before tasting commenced.
The signature wine of the Chateau is the Petal de Rose – named after the elegant roses planted at the end of each row of vines, so that should the rose show signs of disease, it is more obvious to the oenologist who then has time to save his precious vines. But for me it was the Petal’s plainer sister, La Tour de l'Évêque that is the great discovery now making a neat addition to my table, picnic basket, weekend BBQs and general Tuesdays back home in London.
And in case you don’t have annual leave left, or room in your case, the lovely merchants at Corney and Barrow have it for £11.50 a bottle.
http://www.corneyandbarrow.com/c-5086-chateau-la-tour-de-leveque.aspx
The fresh water pond in front of the château
