Jim's official tasting shirt collection: seeking parity

Here we have a nicely sombre short with just a splash of colour. Just as one shouldn’t wear perfumes and aftershaves to tasting, it is also important not to wear shirts with such bright colours that they are a distraction to others. These birds fit the bill perfectly – enough to provide interest without unwanted distraction.

We spent the weekend in northen Lozère enjoying some spectacular scenery in this little populated department. With an average altitude over 1000 metres, the highest average of any French department, there are no vines as it is too cold and the growing season too short. Other crops are late to ripen. The fields of wheat are still awaiting the arrival of the combine harvester, whereas further north in the flatter parts of France the harvest is long over.

Javols today 

 

Excavating the Roman remains

Late Saturday morning we visited the small village of Javols – hidden away in the countryside not far to the east of Aumont-Aubrac. Not a name many will know, I suspect, part from those with a keen interest in the Roman occupation of Gaul. Starting from the rule of Emperor Augustus in the first century AD and continuing for the next century or so, Javols was the capital of this part of Gaul. Remains of an extensive Roman city have been found. Called Anderitum, the city covered 45 hectares. As well as being a junction for routes heading east-west from the Rhône Valley and north-south from Clermont-Ferrand to the Mediterranean. There were also hot springs there – always an attraction for the Romans.  

Amongst the many crafts and commerce in the city, there were coopers making barrels. Presumably for transporting wine, although I don’t think that even in Roman times there were any local vines.

After two centuries in the limelight, Auderitum lost influence to Mende and gradually sank back into obscurity. It is strange to visit Javols today and imagine that this small, sleepy village was once the most important city in this part of Roman Gaul.

We spent the weekend at Le Hostellerie du Villard, near to the medieval village of Le Malzieu. We ate well – very much home cooking – and also drank a few attractive bottles, although the wine prices tended to be rather steep.

Last night for dinner we tried the deep coloured, slightly tarry 2009 Domaine de Bois-Mayaud, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil. Not the greatest Saint-Nicolas but showed what a good vintage 2009 is for Loire reds. 

Jim

Comments

[Luc Charlier]

Don’t even mention it, Jim. But what’s the point thanking Christine as well?
All the work was mine, anyway. Ha, yes, I see: her charming smile, her appetizing figure, her colourful skirt – your taste, I’m sure – that does the trick, does it not?
As for the wines, all we need do is thank the hills on the banks of the river Agly. With the bunches they offer, making decent wines reminds me of Uriah Heep of old:
“This is a thing I’ve never known before,
It’s called easy livin’.
Easy livin’ and I’ve been forgiven,
Since wine has taken its place in my life!”

Cheerioh.

[Jim Budd]

Many thanks Luc and Christine for a memorable and entertaining evening with some of your fine wines.

[Luc Charlier]

“Though we may see flashes of lightning”, dit-il.
Comme c’est beau! On dirait presque du Zimmerman :
« As majestic bells of bolts
Struck shadows in the sounds,
Seeming to be
The chimes of freedom flashing ....”
Comprenne qui pourra et Tempura de Compiègne.

[Luc Charlier]

Où le blogueur rencontre un des « 5 du vin ».
Mémorable soirée : Jim Budd, et le très estimable journaliste allemand Andre Domine, qui réside en permanence dans le Fenouillède avec sa compagne originaire d’Augusta Treverorum, patrie des plus
grands blancs au monde, sont venus me rendre visite hier soir.
Un orage perturbateur n’a pas permis le tour des vignes, et encore moins la grillade en plein air. Kacelanetieng (el meng ?), la table familiale accueillit nos agapes. Mais là n’est pas le
propos.
Jim portait une de ses fameuses chemises : couleurs extravagantes garanties, boutons de fantaisie, et aucune échancrure sur un torse qu’on suppose velu. Au salon, où trônent Sonny Rollins, John
Coltrane, Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus et Eric Dolphy, à côté d’un nu très pudique de Charlotte Rampling, les flacons virent voler leurs capsules à vis devant les motifs
instrumentaux de la chemise : thrombone à coulisses et autres cuivres ont swingué au rythme des ouvertures de bouteille : oui, il y eut bien Saxophone Colossus, The Birth of Cool et Let’s get lost
dans les verres, avant que d’atteindre ces Brilliant Corners qui nous ont permis d’être Out for Lunch (au propre et au figuré).
Comme nous sulfitons peu à la Coume Majou, je me suis levé ce matin l’esprit frais ... mais le corps un peu fatigué.

[Jim Budd]

'nous ferons la grillade à la vigne, sous les étoiles, et avec Andre Domine. Que du beau monde autour du petit Flamand.'

Unfortunately the omnipotent Hervé has sent some Begian weather to this part of the Roussillon, so I fancy the grillade dans les vignes sera annulé et on voir pas les étoiles though we may see
flashes of lightning.