I've discovered now that my French is improving that only tourist suckers pay more than about 5-10€ for wine here unless it is absolutely the best vintage from the best grande cru classe for a special occasion. One French girl I was talking to was bemused that I thought the champagne from the houses like Mumm and Piper Hiedsieck was cheap enough to buy. She said we never buy it, even for Christmas its too expensive (at about 18-22€ a bottle!). Most of the people I've met have bottles from local producers for around 5-8€ for special occasions, friends over to dinner or to take to someone's house, but for day-day drinking they go the local producers market and buy in bulk, anywhere from 5-20 liters of Rose, Cabernet, semillon/Sauvignon etc for around 1.90-2.50€ a litre.
Finally I succumbed after the novelty of buying bottles in the supermarket wore off and visited the local producer for some Rose. I bought 5 litres for 1.95€ a litre! And it's really good. Mark has been stirring me about having a 'goon bag' in France, but if it's good enough for the wine savvy locals, it's good enough for me!
Just shows, always taste and don't be ruled by the price of wine in France. It's not a reflection of value often it's a reflection of the the awful market for wines and the massive supply, especially in the Bordeaux/Bergerac areas.
Also tried the product they sell at the beginning of harvest, it's the first press of the wine. I tried the Sauvignon blanc, it's quite sweet and a little fizzy because it's starting to ferment but quite refreshing and addictive, can't wait to try the red when they harvest in the next week or so.
We are visiting the Bergerac Area today which is in the Dordogne, home of the confit de canard and fois grois.
Hope to sample some great food and wines!
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