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Les Vins du Tour

Ok, so this is limited to the French wines of Le Tour, because I own French Wine for Dummies by Ed McCarthy and Mary Ewing-Mulligan, but nothing on Spanish or Swiss wines.  I hope some PdCers can help fill in, otherwise there will be some seriously thirsty gaps . . .

 

Forgive my lack of accents.  I'm not keystroke literate.  

Star-divide

Stage 1 (Sat, Jul 4):  Monaco to Monaco

Monaco is not in France.  Next.

 

Stage 2 (Sun, Jul 5):  Monaco to Brignoles

Cotes de Provence.  You'll want a rose.

 

Stage 3 (Mon, Jul 6):  Marseilles to La Grande Motte

I do thank the organizers for this jaunt along the south coast:  Cotes de Provence, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, Les Baux de Provence, Cassis, Palette, Clairette de Bellegarde, Costieres de Nimes.  I bought a Costieres de Nimes rose a couple of years ago that was startlingly dry.  At the first sip, I was disappointed that I wasn't going to like it.  By the third sip, it was my favorite wine.  Sooo good with cheese and even held its own against sharp cheddar.  I will NEVER cease to rue that I forgot to write down its name.

 

Stage 4 (Tue, Jul 7):  Montpellier to Montpellier

Choices for today:  Pic Saint-Loup (robust red) or the sweet Muscat de Mireval.

 

Stage 5 (Wed, Jul 8):  Le Cap D'Agde to Perpignan

Ooh la la !  Picpoul de Pinet, St. Chinian, Corbieres, Fitou, Minervois, Muscat de St-Jean-de-Minervois, Cotes du Roussillon, Cotes du Rousillon Villages, Banyuls, Collioure, Maury, Rivesaultes, Muscat de Rivesaltes.

 

Stage 6 (Thu, Jul 9):  Gerone to Barcelone

no hablo espanol

 

Stage 7 (Fri, Jul 10):  Barcelone to Andorre Arcalis

Je voudrais du vin, si'l vous plait.

 

Stage 8 (Sat, Jul 11):  Andorre-La Vielle to Saint Girons

There is wine in the Pyrenees (though I've never come across any of them in my favorite store in CA), but not here.

 

Stage 9 (Sun, Jul 12):  Saint-Gaudens to Tarbes

Nope.  Not here either.

 

Stage 10 (Tue, Jul 14):  Limoges to Issoudun

Parcours comes close enough to Quincy or Reuilly to count.

 

Stage 11 (Wed, Jul 15):  Vatan to Saint-Fargian

Today they actually go through Quincy and Reuilly.  Also, through or near Menetou-Salon, Coteaux du Giennois, and Pouilly-sur-Loire.  But you'll most likely find a Sancerre or Pouilly-Fume.  Sauvignon Blanc done to perfection!

 

Stage 12 (Thu, Jul 16):  Tonnerre to Vittel

You could go with Champagne from the Aube or with Chablis.  I love Chablis from Chablis.  Minerally white that thankfully bears no resemblance to the crap that can be bought in large jugs in CA.  The first time I drank it was for the stage to Compiegne in 2007 when Tony popped off the front of the peloton in the last k to outsprint the pack to his second stage win.  And he was on my TdF VDS team!  I love Chablis.

 

Stage 13 (Fri, Jul 17):  Vittel to Colmar

The heart of Alsace:  Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Tokay Pinot Gris, Sylvaner, Cremant d'Alsace

 

Stage 14 (Sat, Jul 18):  Colmar to Besancon

Finish your bottle from yesterday.

 

Stage 15 (Sun, Jul 19):  Pontarlier to Verbier

Like Maggie, I have difficulty translating Swiss accents.

 

Stage 16 (Tue, Jul 21):  Martigny to Bourg-Saint-Maurice

Dunno.

 

Stage 17 (Wed, Jul 22):  Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Le Grand Bornand

The Alps may be good for cycling, but they are not so good for wine.

 

Stage 18 (Thu, Jul 18):  Annecy to Annecy

Annecy, ah, non.

 

Stage 19 (Fri, Jul 24):  Bourgoin-Jallieu to Aubenas

The Rhone!  Beautiful reds at much better prices than Burgundies:  Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, Saint Joseph, Cornas (the first 3 also make whites).  Also, Saint-Peray or Clairette de Die if you like sparkling wines.

 

Stage 20 (Sat, Jul 25):  Montelimar to Mont Ventoux

You could go with Coteaux du Tricastin, Cotes de Vivarais, or Cotes du Rhone Villages, but there is only one wine for today - Cotes du Ventoux!

 

Stage 21 (Sun, Jul 26):  Montereau-Fault-Yonne to Paris

No wine regions, but no matter.  Champagne is the vin du jour.  Try to find a blanc de noirs - they are extra yellow.

 

Salut!

3 recs  |  Comment 72 comments

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How about stage 17 being Cheese day then
Stage 17 (Wed, Jul 22): Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Le Grand Bornand

The Alps may be good for cycling, but they are not so good for wine.

1. The first two climbs Roselend and Saisie go through Beaufort cheese country

2. The last two climbs (Romme and Colombiere and down into Le Grand Bornand are Reblochon cheese country

sometimes life is a false flat

by Willj on Jun 30, 2009 3:28 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Really?

In countries where you drive on the right hand side, it’s adviced to walk on the left side.

Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.

by TheFigurehead on Jun 30, 2009 4:55 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, they do make their own rules a lot

They rule in more than one way.

Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.

by TheFigurehead on Jun 30, 2009 6:12 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Or Vacherin Mont d'Or

Not sure if it is in season but mighty tasty.

by ncmussell on Jun 30, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Stage 15 is actually a big wine stage :)
Stage 15 (Sun, Jul 19): Pontarlier to Verbier

Like Maggie, I have difficulty translating Swiss accents.

The route will go by the beautiful vineyards of Aigle (photo above) of UCI headquarters fame and then towards Martigny – touching the Valais region – the biggest wine region in Switzerland

There is even a WIne Museum in the château above- yum!

The official link is french so here’s some info:
http://www.bargaintraveleurope.com/08/Switzerland_Chateau_Aigle.htm

sometimes life is a false flat

by Willj on Jun 30, 2009 3:36 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That would explain a lot

The wineyeard, I mean.

Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.

by TheFigurehead on Jun 30, 2009 4:53 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Truly!

Adrenalina Italiana!

by Albertina on Jun 30, 2009 6:02 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Stage 16 - Martigny
Stage 16 (Tue, Jul 21): Martigny to Bourg-Saint-Maurice

Dunno.

Sorry for enthusiasm but I love your wine list concept

Martigny, Switzerland is the start point for the “Chemin du Vignoble” = “The Vineyard Path”

http://www.valais.ch/en/Valais-GastroVS-GourmetTravelsVS-212145.html

It heads East through Vallais/Wallis (past Crans Montana for instance).

I am no wine expert but today’s stage may call for a nice Valais Fendant; ;)

(there may be some good stuff on the south facing mountains of the Italian side of this stage too)

sometimes life is a false flat

by Willj on Jun 30, 2009 3:45 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yes, the Aosta Valley

Not that I can name any wines from the Aosta Valley. But hey, it’s Italy, they must have great wines there too.

Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.

by TheFigurehead on Jun 30, 2009 4:26 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Huh.. Sorry for enthousiasm! Don't get that sentence!

I live to talk abot wine but only now the Bourgogne as wine place

Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Frining "It's what he thinks.. But he always do.. I eat my shoe if he ride top 15 in le Tour" about Devolder

by Frinking on Jun 30, 2009 4:29 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I like.. not live.. and know not now.. Hmmm

Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Frining "It's what he thinks.. But he always do.. I eat my shoe if he ride top 15 in le Tour" about Devolder

by Frinking on Jun 30, 2009 5:42 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

hehe

I just felt bad posting the 4 comments in 4 minutes

sometimes life is a false flat

by Willj on Jun 30, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Febdebt is an excellent choice -- and represetnative of the region

I would also suggest Dole and Goron for anyone looking for reds.

by pigilito on Jun 30, 2009 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

do you mean fendant?

yes … I quite enjoy Dole ;)

sometimes life is a false flat

by Willj on Jun 30, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

well

I asked the lady at the store today for a bottle of nice febdebt and ……. ;)

sometimes life is a false flat

by Willj on Jun 30, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fendant is the proper wine to put in a swiss cheese fondue,

and drink with it, also. (Along with a lot of hot tea, to keep the cheese from solidifying through the entire length of your gut, causing great distress.)

by JFS_PGH on Jul 1, 2009 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The equivalent-region Swiss red is Dole

with an accent circumflex over the o.

A good Swiss wine “brand” is Hurlevent, if you can find it.

In PA, we can’t order wines from outside the state unless they are ordered through a state wine store, and for that, they have to be on the state list…so if you find a bottle, drink it for me.

by JFS_PGH on Jul 1, 2009 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe this is what I'll get out of this year's Tour

I’m not big on French wines. Perhaps time to dig a little deeper. Thanks, Kirsten.

by Sui Juris on Jun 30, 2009 9:01 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

unfortunately

their beer generally sucks …. so wine it must be. ;)

sometimes life is a false flat

by Willj on Jun 30, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I felt the same way until I spent some time there – to me the French wines were lacking cojones (I was all about Spanish wines) – now the French stuff is all I drink! Well that’s not true, but I’ll definitely look for a good bourgogne (I’m with you Frinkster) or bordeaux before anything else. The French wines, and I’m by no means as knowledgeable as many, are to my mind the most interesting and nuanced wines – they don’t hit you over the head but they don’t have to.

Unfortunately they’re usually pricey, I wait for a good sale and then stock up.

By the way Will there are some excellent French beers! Just not from your part of France I assume, i.e. the part of France near Switzerland – look north my son!

by plinytheelder on Jun 30, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

By the way Will there are some excellent French beers! Just not from your part of France I assume, i.e. the part of France near Switzerland – look north my son!

plinytheelder: 1st – THANKS – I am on last few pages of the Jean Bobet book. It is superb. Straightforward, honest, insightful, very interesting. Your recommendation is much appreciated.

2nd: Yeah, I sort of know. But I briefly lived in Belgium …. and their beers keep me more than content. Re: pricey French wines. True …. but there appelation / ranking system is archaic (and part of reason they are struggling vs aussies, california, etc) …. I am wrong guy to help, but there are plenty of “underpriced” great french wines.

sometimes life is a false flat

by Willj on Jun 30, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Glad to hear about Bobet, yeah he’s great! If you’re interested there’s an extended interview with him in Rouleur no.12, some awesome photos in there including one of les Bobet training for Paris-Roubaix…in knickers and knee-high socks! Beautiful.

by plinytheelder on Jun 30, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

French wine...my favorite....

While Bordeaux and Burgundies are famous and delicious French wines, they often command a premium just for the name. If you’re worried about cost but still want a terrific wine, look for wine from Languedoc-Rousillon. This region is actually France’s largest wine producing region and puts out some terrific wines at a great value.

by tricycle on Jul 1, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

thanks, will do!

by plinytheelder on Jul 1, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Stage 9

Though no wine produced in this region, this stage goes through Lourdes, and since it’s on a Sunday, perhaps a sip of sacramental wine would be in order.

by kmm on Jun 30, 2009 9:36 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Stage 6 and Stage 7

These stages go through the heart of Catalonia. Two sub regions that produce great wine and one that produces decent inexpensive wine. Montsant produces some decent Garnacha. Penedes is the region largely responsible for Cava. Best red wine region by far is Priorat. Fantastically rich deep reds but often very expensive.

by ncmussell on Jun 30, 2009 9:46 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Stage 20

Since Cotes du Ventoux can be sorely lacking for good quality, you might consider a grand wine for a grand stage at the end of a grand tour. For me that would have to be Domaine Tempier Bandol! Since Ventoux is the giant of Provence the best you could go is go with the best wine of Provence. The rose from Domaine Tempier Bandol is absolutely stunning as well.

by ncmussell on Jun 30, 2009 9:51 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

shall we all meet at the Simpson monument

with wine glasses in hand? ;)

sometimes life is a false flat

by Willj on Jun 30, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

See ya there!

(along with several thousand other people…)

Adrenalina Italiana!

by Albertina on Jun 30, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bandol

Better for stage 2, it’s down by the coast. Much Cotes du Ventoux is crap but Mas Fondreche and Martinelle have really terrific wines.

"The road is our agony, but also our daily bread; and at night, when it is deserted and the moon glistens on the asphalt, the ridiculous dreams of racers like us pass up and down it."

--Dino Buzzati

by nrs5000 on Jun 30, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

True

I just figured you could probably see Bandol from the top of Mount Ventoux but I am probably wrong.

by ncmussell on Jun 30, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Chateau Pesquie

A very good Ventoux wine which I overlooked is Chateau Pesquie Les Terrasses.

by ncmussell on Jun 30, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

mmmmmm Bandol

you said it!

Tempier is great, but don’t shy away from other Bandol Roses because so many of them are delicious. And speaking of roses, if you come across a Sancerre Rose, don’t pass that up either, they’re delightful.

by tricycle on Jul 1, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was in Lille in 1983, right beside Roubaix,

and I bought a nice Bordeaux to bring back as a gift for my family, I don’t remember specifics about the bottle, however when I got back to Canada I realized the 60-80 French Francs I had spent on the bottle would make it about $10-15 Canadian Dollars, and after it had been imported and middle-personed up in price probably would retail in Canada for maybe $50. Now back in 1983 that was a good sum to plunk down on some good French plonk, and man oh man that Bordeaux was one delicious wine !

by peterfish on Jun 30, 2009 1:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

merci Kristin!

Many thanks- we’ll be raising a glass on the 11th, and definitely on the 26th with some champers on the Champs. :-)

And now, back to 46cm Bianchi shopping :-)

by billcicletta on Jun 30, 2009 3:30 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

attention people --

billcicletta is honeymooning aux Champs Élysées for the big finish, in case ya’ll didn’t know!!!

by gregm on Jul 1, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is great

And I will promise whoever does the cheese version of this post a front-page position.

Your power is turning our darkness to dawn,
Roll on Columbia, Roll on!

by Chris... on Jun 30, 2009 5:05 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

But how do I do pictures?

That would make the post way more interesting?

by ncmussell on Jun 30, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

How I do it

Possible: Upload the pic on flickr, imagehack or whatever
Click on your right button
Copy image URL (Or something look-a-like)
Go to your post and click on that little tree pic.
Past URL (Control+V) To be sure.
Enter.

Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Frining "It's what he thinks.. But he always do.. I eat my shoe if he ride top 15 in le Tour" about Devolder

by Frinking on Jun 30, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You're welcome!

Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Frining "It's what he thinks.. But he always do.. I eat my shoe if he ride top 15 in le Tour" about Devolder

by Frinking on Jun 30, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Frinkster,

are you aware that in your tagline you’ve called yourself ‘Frining’…?!

Adrenalina Italiana!

by Albertina on Jun 30, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What?! How long do you know that already?!?!

Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Frining "It's what he thinks.. But he always do.. I eat my shoe if he ride top 15 in le Tour" about Devolder

by Frinking on Jun 30, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

the key to a good cheese write up

may be cycling chunk of Gruyere (passed on Verbier stage)

sometimes life is a false flat

by Willj on Jun 30, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yay!

Ncmussel, if you don’t use this picture atop your post, I’ll upload it for you. This is so excellent. And I am more interested in cheese than wine, or at least I will be after my longest day ever in the saddle in one month.

Your power is turning our darkness to dawn,
Roll on Columbia, Roll on!

by Chris... on Jun 30, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

and

cropped and uploaded, ready for use:

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/135170/cheese_rider.jpg

Your power is turning our darkness to dawn,
Roll on Columbia, Roll on!

by Chris... on Jun 30, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

as a side story

to take this photo I had to pull over on a fairly busy highway to the shock of my passnegers

sometimes life is a false flat

by Willj on Jun 30, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I will get to work after a ride

Need to go out for an evening ride then I will being my extensive research :)

by ncmussell on Jun 30, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

big ride?
my longest day ever in the saddle in one month.

Watchya gonna ride, Chris? Do tell!

by gregm on Jun 30, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

RAMROD

140 miles around Mt Rainier. 10,000 feet of cumulative climbing. So needless to say I am trying to avoid fatty foods for a while.

Your power is turning our darkness to dawn,
Roll on Columbia, Roll on!

by Chris... on Jun 30, 2009 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

indeed

but I get to eat whatever I want for like a month after.

Your power is turning our darkness to dawn,
Roll on Columbia, Roll on!

by Chris... on Jun 30, 2009 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yes.

yes, you do.

I did my first 600k brevet with 20,000 feet of climbing last month. The day after, I weighed a couple of pounds more than I did before the ride!!!

Nom nom nom…. beware the eating machine… :)

-Greg

by gregm on Jul 1, 2009 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

600?

Is that SIX HUNDRED klicks? Dude.

Thanks for the pointer to goo, by the way. I’ve been using Clif shots and they seem to help and my tummy doesn’t mind them. On my much-less-than-600k-rides :-)

Salut!

by billcicletta on Jul 1, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

sounds like great event - gl

I always find it interesting that USA events have great names like RAMROD, mountains of misery, Triple Bypass, etc while euro event names are often much tamer (La Marmotte).

sometimes life is a false flat

by Willj on Jul 1, 2009 3:56 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

don't forget...

Terrible Two, Death Ride, Devil Mountain Double… :)

-Greg

by gregm on Jul 1, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

horribly hilly hundred… Actually this is an interesting topic, I think there’d be a lot to say about the different motivations for riding from country to country – sure see a lot of masochism here, wonder why that is.

by plinytheelder on Jul 1, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks!

OK, I’m priniting this list out and going straight to my wine book (Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia = great) and a map of the Tour stages. Then to the cheese and wine store.

by tricycle on Jul 1, 2009 12:40 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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