The best part of our 6-week trip to Europe last fall was being in the Dordogne or Perigord Noir region of France. We fell in love with the food, the wine, the countryside, the castles, and the people.
One afternoon we found ourselves in Domme, a fortified village, or bastide, which rises sharply from the Dordogne River valley floor and affords stunning views from its 13th century walls. We also found a lovely little wine shop that featured a locally grown and produced, award-winning Vin de Pays. We purchased a bottle and drank it. It was wonderful. A bit rough at first opening, but after letting it breath for about 15 minutes it mellowed right out. There was something about that wine that spoke to me.
One afternoon we found ourselves in Domme, a fortified village, or bastide, which rises sharply from the Dordogne River valley floor and affords stunning views from its 13th century walls. We also found a lovely little wine shop that featured a locally grown and produced, award-winning Vin de Pays. We purchased a bottle and drank it. It was wonderful. A bit rough at first opening, but after letting it breath for about 15 minutes it mellowed right out. There was something about that wine that spoke to me.
Our trip took us further south and west, finally into Spain and Barcelona. And I couldn't stop thinking about that bottle of wine.
Luckily for me, we had to drive back to the Dordogne region to return our rental car and I was able to visit Domme again and purchase another bottle of that wonderful wine. Which brings us to last night...
I'd been saving the Domme wine for what-I-don't-know, some special occasion or other, along with a small tin of foie gras d'oie (pure goose liver pate) and a tiny glass jar of black Perigord truffles, both bought in Sarlat and tucked into my travel bag to bring home.
Well, last night, for no reason other than it was blustery, unseasonably warm, and we'd just brought home our Christmas tree, my husband and I opened the wine, foie gras and truffles. Sitting together in our living room, talking and looking at the as-yet-unadorned Christmas tree, this was the occasion we'd been waiting for.
It wasn't a special occasion, as many "special" occasions go, but it was mighty fine. Mighty fine.
I'd been saving the Domme wine for what-I-don't-know, some special occasion or other, along with a small tin of foie gras d'oie (pure goose liver pate) and a tiny glass jar of black Perigord truffles, both bought in Sarlat and tucked into my travel bag to bring home.
Well, last night, for no reason other than it was blustery, unseasonably warm, and we'd just brought home our Christmas tree, my husband and I opened the wine, foie gras and truffles. Sitting together in our living room, talking and looking at the as-yet-unadorned Christmas tree, this was the occasion we'd been waiting for.
It wasn't a special occasion, as many "special" occasions go, but it was mighty fine. Mighty fine.
Kudos to you for saving the wine! I don't know that I could have that much patience! Is it possible to get it here in the States?
ReplyDeleteSounds like it was the perfect "non" occasion.
I'm confused although that's pretty normal for me. It wasn't a special occasion, it was mighty fine. I guess it doesn't have to follow that if it's not special it's ordinary. And that eveing just doesn't sound ordinary. Then it must have been extra-ordinary, extraordinary! Well, maybe I've had to much wine. But my bet is you are going to remember that wine and those two occasions for a long time to come and that sounds pretty special to me. I love what France does for us all.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you made a good choice, Christine.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that struck me about the Dordogne was how green it was — deep and green. We took the train over a bridge just like the one in the photo. Anyway, it all looks so familiar.
It does sound just lovely.
ReplyDeleteI agree with tanna Christine that she loves what France does for us all....has some rather nice white Bordeux last night mmmm.
ReplyDeleteAnne
ps never seem to buy enough!!
Hi Christite .This sounds really good! I am having a time visualizing what it is on the plate : cake or white cheese? I've never been in France and hope next year to visit.
ReplyDeleteWhat a special night....so many fond memories!
ReplyDeleteHello commenters,
ReplyDeleteI love it that each and every one of you has taken the time to leave a comment on this post.
I've been so busy lately that I haven't responded to each comment the way I like to do.
Tanna, What I meant is that it wasn't a special occasion like a birthday party or an anniversary or something like that, but it was our spur-of-the-moment, whimsical occasion and that made it special enough for us.
Home Cook,
It's an awful photo, I know. The yellow-white block on the plate is the foie gras pate. The yellow you see is the coating of goose fat, which was sooooo very yummy!
Farmgirl Cyn,
I've tried googling the wine for a US distributor to no avail. I now have sent an email to the winery and will share their answer with you when I receive one.
Mimi J., Kalyn, Sher, Anne, Paz and Jann,
As always your comments spur me on to try the achieve new heights!
xo