La Maison des Vins in Bergerac

La Maison des Vins is located in front of the old harbour of Bergerac, the entrance is on the side of the Récollets Coister on the other side of the road. This tour is free of charge so I decide to go on it. I immediately arrive in the court of the cloister, which is outstanding, there are some tables installed at the centre so we can admire the building! It is ideal for a spontaneous sheltered picnic in the heart of the town! Some wine barrels decorate the galleries of the cloister and a huge historical timeline indicates the milestones of the wine industry, from its origins to the year 2000! I take the time to read it all! I also learn about the thirteen appellations of the wines of Bergerac which are on sale In the wine shop!

I go under the cloister and arrive in a cinema room. To launch the movie, you just need to press a button and choose your desired language! The cinema room is in fact the cellar of the cloister and the vault is used as a screen! Such a great idea! Behind me, is a huge wooden table which reminds me of a banquet table from the Middle Ages with barrels in the background!

The hall displays some explanation boards: I read the general definition of the wine and its chemical definition, which is not often mentioned! Several quotes fill the rest of the boards, some make me smile, some are a very good play of words! I then reach the sensory area. A huge table supports several « glass “verrines” » with various aromas. Smell them and guess the aroma. I try but it is really difficult for some of them. Apricot ok, violet easy but for the quince…I was stuck!!!

All my senses are awake here! I like learning while having fun! The fruity aromas are used for white wines and the more flowery ones are used for the red and rose! With all these information, I get to the shop knowing how to choose my wine or at least what is in the bottle! The shop is rather big and the wines exhibited are numbered which indicate the reference of the bottle you want to choose! Tasting from one to 5 wines is possible. They recommend that you phone in advance for groups, even though tastings take place all the time! The staff is very pleasant and friendly!

La Maison des Vins is a not to be missed stop in Bergerac, it helps you to know the wines produced in the surrounding area and put a name on all the winemakers producing the good wines. The Maison des Vins also organises a little winemaking tour through by producing a map of all castles that specialise in the sale of the wine!

I am not leaving empty handed!!

For all those wine lovers, enthusiasts and professional!

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