Christmas Closure at Bistrot Les Tontons

Bistrot Les Tontons will be closed from Sunday 23 December 2012 to Monday 07 January 2013, re-opening on Tuesday 08 January 2013.

Bistrot Les Tontons vous souhaite un joyeux noël et une bonne année.

Bistrot Les Tontons wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Introducing BLT's Wine of the Week (No.10)

Crémant de Loire
AOC Crémant de Loire
Domaine de la Paleine

For Christmas week Gérald has selected the Crémant de Loire from Domaine de la Paleine, as his festive and sparkling wine of the week.

Harvested by hand and produced at the Domaine the crémant is handled and rest sur-latte for a minimum of 24 months during which time the Domaine uses one of the oldest methods for opening the sparkly - dégorgement à al volée.

80% chardonnay & 20% chenin the Crémant de Loire is a deliciously fresh and light sparkling wine with elegant bubbles. Perfect served alone as an apéritif or alongside grilled or baked fish.

Domaine de la Paleine’s Crémant de Loire is also available from The Wine Shop & Tasting Room in Brighton.

Bistrot Les Tontons
Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: 02 41 59 59 40
e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Introducing BLT's wine of the week (No.9)

‘Le Clos’ 2009
AOC Savennières
Château de Plaisance

This week Gérald has selected the elegant, ‘Le Clos’ 2009 (AOC Savennières), produced by the organic & biodynamic wine maker Guy Rochais from Château de Plaisance, as his wine of the week.

Harvested by hand, post pressing the juice is placed into oak barrels of 2 to 5 years old and left for 11 to 12 months, a process which creates a white wine whose perfume is of fruits with an impression of minerals.

Another popular choice at Bistrot Les Tontons, ‘Le Clos’ 2009 is suggested served alongside our supper dish; Brioche de Saint Jacques Risotto Crémeux.

Bistrot Les Tontons
Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: 02 41 59 59 40
e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Bistrot Les Tontons

Enjoying the build up to Christmas...

Bistrot Les Tontons
Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: 02 41 59 59 40
 e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Now being served at Bistrot Les Tontons...

Brochette de Saint Jacques Risotto Crémeux

(available evenings only)

The Wine Shop & Tasting Room, Brighton - 2012's final wine tasting

Forthcoming wine tasting at our wine bar in Brighton, UK.

For those of you who went to Gérald's November wine tasting of 'Grapes of the Loire Valley' you may like to learn this years final wine tasting at The Wine Shop & Tasting Room will be on 16 December with Laura Rhys, Master Sommelier & UK Sommelier of the Year.

Laura was the first ever British female to win the super-prestigious UK Sommelier of the Year competition (beating much Michelin-starred competition) and has since been working as Head Sommelier for Gerard Basset (recently World Sommelier of the Year!). You may have seen her on TV as the wine coach on Michel Roux’s recent programme Service.

Tickets can be booked by calling The Wine Shop & Tasting Room on: +44 (0)1273 567176, emailing directly at shop@tengreenbottles.com, or online by using the Paypal button below. Bonne dégustation !

Introducing BLT's wine of the week (No.8)

Bressol 2010 
AOC Côtes du Roussillon Villages 
Domaine Singla 

With Christmas celebrations starting to get underway our attentions turn to food & wine to be enjoyed in the company of friends and family. 

For the 1st week of Christmas Gérald has selected the beautifully balanced Bressol 2010, a red wine (mostly Grenach noir) produced by the talented Laurent de Besombes of Domaine Singla. 

Another firm favourite at Bistrot Les Tontons an interesting selection of Laurent’s wines are available at our wine bar, The Wine Shop & Tasting Room in Brighton, UK. 

Harvested by hand, a maceration of 25 days is followed by an oaking in high quality oak barrels (chéne nadalie, chauffe noisette+), a process of which creates a delicious full bodied red wine with hints of licorice, dark in colour and wonderfully aromatic on the nose. 

Bressol 2010 is suggested served alongside Faisan sauce morilles a l'armagnac. 

Bistrot Les Tontons
Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: 02 41 59 59 40
e: bistrotlestonton@gmail.com

Les Tontons Flingueurs

Ce soir (dimanche 02 décembre) à 20h45 sur France 2.

6ème Salon 'Mets et Vins' de Mazé

Post harvest, winter arriving, one would be right in thinking this is a quieter time for many of the Domaines, au contraire! The wine festival season, winter porte ouvertes are in full swing...

Today Gérald is representing Domaine de la Paleine at the 6ème Salon 'Mets et Vins' de Mazé.

Bonne dégustation !

Introducing BLT's wine of the week (No.7)

Le Rouge aux Lèvres 2010 

Faugères

Les Amants de la Vigneronne

As the end of November nears so is the colder weather and the demand for ‘winter warmers’, slow cooked/grilled meats with sauces.  With this in mind, Gérald has selected Le Rouge aux Lèvres 2010 as his wine of the week, a sublime full bodied red wine produced by Les Amants de la Vigneronne in Faugères.  

A firm favourite at Bistrot Les Tontons this wine is also referenced in our wine bar, The Wine Shop & Tasting Room in Brighton, UK.

Harvested by hand the two cépages are; Grenache 60% and Syrah 40%.  A lengthy maceration is followed by a further 18 months in oak barrels to create an aromatic full bodied wine, dark in colour and fruity on the nose.

Bistrot Les Tontons

Place Saint Pierre

49400 Saumur

t: 02 41 59 59 40

e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Introducing BLT's wine of the week (No.6)

l’esprit d’Eloi 2010
Minervois
Château Guéry

This week Gérald’s wine of the week is l’esprit d’Eloi 2010' which comes from Minervois.

Produced by la famille Guéry of Château Guéry, l’esprit d’Eloi is 100% Petit Verdot cépage and oaked for 12 months to create a smooth elegant red with a lovely finish on the oak.

Suggested to accompany rabbit and exotic cuisine, this is also a wine for aging.

Bistrot Les Tontons
Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: 02 41 59 59 40
e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

The 'winter warmers' are here !

Cassoulet Façon Tonton

Bistrot Les Tontons
Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: 02 41 59 59 40
e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Introducing BLT's Wine of the Week (No.5)

L'Anjou Gamay Primeur 2012
Franck Gourdon (vigneron)
Domaine de Pied-Flond

It is the 15th November and Beaujolais Nouveau is with us once again !

Keeping in the spirit of today’s tradition Gérald has selected a Gamay Nouveau as his Wine of the Week at Les Tontons.

Produced by Franck Gourdon of Domaine de Pied-Flond, L’Anjou Gamay Primeur 2012 is a young fruity red created by a controlled fermentation to produce un vin de soif, similar to a Beaujolais.

Bistrot Les Tontons
Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: 02 41 59 59 40
e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

'Grapes of the Loire Valley' - Brighton, UK

Last Saturday Gérald was in Brighton at The Wine Shop & Tasting Room hosting a private wine tasting afternoon – ‘Grapes of the Loire Valley’ – a superb wine loving crowd compiling of clients from Ten Green Bottles & Bistrot Les Tontons, as well as past guests from Loire Valley Uncorked & La Bellevue, all of whom spent 2 hours discovering further, the Loire Valley varietals.

The selection of wines to be sampled were from: Domaine de la Paleine (AOC Saumur, AOC Saumur-Puy-Notre-Dame, AOC Saumur-Champigny), Domaine de l’Oubliée (AOC Bourgueil), Aigues Vives (Côt) & La Pente de Chavigny (Sauvignon) produced by Mikaël Bouges located in the Touraine, and the exquisite La Tête dans les Etoiles created by Eric Gastellier, a biodynamic producer located outside of Saumur – here are some of our photos from the afternoon…

Introducing BLT's wine of the week (No.4)

Le Champ de la Pierre 2009
AOC Anjou Gamay
(Domaine Richou)

This week Gérald's wine pick of the week gravitates towards the area of his Grandfather's vines.

Located close to Brissac-Quincé (49), Domaine Richou's Le Champ de la Pierre 2009 is an exceptional wine.

As an AOC Anjou Gamay, Le Champ de la Pierre is not what is usually associated with this wine appellation; light, fruity and vin de soif (easy to drink), instead it is a strong personalitied red wine, which is very well structured with a nose of aromatic spices and white pepper.

Available to enjoy at Bistrot Les Tontons by the glass or bottle, and/or purchased to take away.

Bistrot Les Tontons
Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: 02 41 59 59 40
e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Grapes of the Loire Valley, Brighton Wine Tasting

This weekend (Fri 02 Nov & Sat 03 Nov) Gérald will be hosting a private wine tasting event at our wine bar in Brighton, UK.

Titled 'Grapes of the Loire Valley' the wine tasting will be held at The Wine Shop & Tasting Room, 9 Jubliee Street, Brighton and will feature a number of interesting Domaines alongside Domaine de la Paleine.

Bistrot Les Tontons will be open as usual in Gérald's absence.

Introducing BLT's Wine of the Week (No.3)

Notre Histoire 2010
AOC Bourgueil
(Domaine de l’Oubliée)

This week, Gérald’s wine of the week is Notre Histoire 2010 from Domaine de l’Oubliée, a 7 ha vineyard owned by Xavier Courant and as a great admirer of the film producer Bertrand Blier, this beautifully structured 100% cabernet franc pays tribute to one of his many films - Notre Histoire (released in 1984).

The father of Bertrand Blier is the late Bernard Blier who starred in Les Tontons Flingueurs (released in 1963) – Bistrot Les Tontons.

Some Bourgueil’s tend to be light with a green pepper taste at the back of the mouth but Notre Histoire is totally the opposite and it is this which makes it an interesting wine – a lovely structure and a beautiful finish.

Notre Histoire 2010 will be one of the wines Gérald will be presenting at the wine tasting this weekend held at The Wine Shop & Tasting Room, Brighton, UK.

Available to enjoy at Bistrot Les Tontons by the glass or bottle, and/or purchased to take away.

Bistrot Les Tontons
Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: 02 41 59 59 40
e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Introducing BLT's latest additions...

Fitted yesterday evening...

Bistrot Les Tontons
Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: 02 41 59 59 40
e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Bistrot Les Tontons : arriving soon

Noticeable shorter days.  The hour change looming.

Attentions at Bistrot Les Tontons have turned to the considerably colder winter months and ‘cosy’ is about to be introduced...

Introducing BLT's Wine of the Week ! (No.2)

Moulin des Quints 2010, Saumur-Puy-Notre-Dame (Domaine de la Paleine)

A short drive from Saumur, located in the pretty village of Le Puy Notre-Dame is Domaine de la Paleine.  And this week, it is from here Gérald’s wine of the week is produced.

100% cabernet franc, a 30 day maceration and a reduced yielding, between 15 to 20 HL per hector, Domaine de la Paleine's, Moulin des Quints 2010 (AOC Saumur-Puy-Notre-Dame), is a sophisticated, full bodied, smooth red wine.

Available to enjoy at Bistrot Les Tontons by the glass or bottle, and/or purchased to take away.

Bistrot Les Tontons

Place Saint Pierre

49400 Saumur

t: 02 41 59 59 40

e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Food: getting the week underway...

On the foodie front.. Parmentier de Canard is the selected dish to get our week underway.

Bon appetit !

!! Bientôt au Tonton !!

Plateau Savoyard pour deux :

Mont d'or fermier roti, avec pommes de terre tiedes et copeaux de jambon de porc de Bigorre - 39,50€ 

Accord met et vin : Savagnin en Jessillard 2008

Introducing BLT's wine of the week (No.1)

From the same AOC appellation as Gérald's late Grandfather's vines and wines, Bistrot Les Tontons wine pick of the week is Domaine de Montgilet's AOC Anjou Village Brissac 2010. 

The blend of 50% cabernet franc and 50% cabernet sauvignon has created an interesting, elegant and soft tanined red wine.

Production is limited to only one vat and bottling, post-harvest, is at the earliest 30th June, whilst sales to the consumer can not be conducted until after 15th July.

Available to enjoy at Bistrot Les Tontons or purchased to take away.

Bistrot Les Tontons

Place Saint Pierre

49400 Saumur

t: 02 41 59 59 40

e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Bistrot Les Tontons: to be continued...

Bistrot Les Tontons
Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: 02 41 59 59 40
e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Castell Vell, Domaine Singla (100% syrah)

Amongst Gérald's autumn/winter selection of wines is the sublime, 100% syrah, ‘Castell Vell’, AOC Côtes du Roussillon Villages produced by Laurent de Besombes of Domaine Singla.

An elegant and fine wine, Castell Vell pairs perfectly with mouton aux flageolets freshly prepared by Romain at Les Tontons.

(mouton aux flageolets is subject to availability)

Bistrot Les Tontons
Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: +33 (0)2 41 59 59 40
e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Some of the dishes being served at Bistrot Les Tontons, Saumur... bon appétit !!

Souris d'Agneau Vitelotte
(roast lamb served with violet potatoes) 

Melon de Pays
(locally produced melon served with cured ham from the Bigorre) 

Brochette à l'Indienne & Patate Douce Rotie
(brochette of beef served with roast sweet potato)

Bistrot Les Tontons
1 bis Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t: 02 41 59 59 40
e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Wine with Bill Zacharkiw (Montreal, Canada)

Today, upon recommendation, Bill Zacharkiw and his colleague, both Sommelier/ Journalist / Wine Critic's from Montreal dropped into Bistrot Les Tontons for lunch and a tasting of the Saumur rouge, Saumur-Puy-Notre-Dame, Saumur Champigny, Gamay & Saumur blanc with Gérald.

Click here to read Wine With Bill Zacharkiw

Sunday Opening : Sunday 16 September

Bistrot Les Tontons will be open on Sunday 16 September 2012...

... why not pop in and try Les Tontons latest range of wines selected for autumn-winter 2012-2013.











Bistrot Les Tontons
1 bis Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
t : 02 41 59 59 40
e : bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Two niche finds.. by Mikaël Bouges

It was during a conversation with our neighbouring vigneronne that Gérald discovered La Pente de Chavigny.

An interesting 100% Sauvignon blanc created by Mikaël Bouges, a small organic winemaker, of 4-5 hectors, located in the Torraine

The base of this refreshing white wine is deliciously fruity, think elderflowers, and there is a beautiful finish of acidity.  A lovely wine enjoyed alone, or accompanying summer time salads, and a superb white to enjoy with spicy food… I fancy a curry now !

After sampling La Pente de Chavigny we couldn’t resist trying Mikaël’s red wine, Aigues Vives, and we weren’t disappointed !

Organically produced this silky, fresh in mouth, and well balanced rouge is 100% Côt. Smooth, elegant, with a beautiful oaky finish, and the perfect choice to accompany roast red meats.

Featuring amongst Bistrot Les Tontons 2012-2013 Autumn-Winter wine selection and available for purchase

2012-2013 Autumn-Winter Wine Selection

Last week Bistrot Les Tontons saw the arrival of the rather special ‘Cuvée Emile Bories 2010’.

A beautifully balanced wine, 100% syrah, and micro-cuvée produced by Gérald's friend and colleague, Jérôme Margnat from Château La Borie.

Expect this full bodied Côtes du Rhône Village to be one of Gérald's strong recommendations and one to be savioured alongside lamb, freshly prepared by Romain and served at Bistrot Les Tontons.

Bistrot Les Tontons
1 bis Place Saint Pierre 49400 Saumur
e : bistrotlestontons@gmail.com
t : 02 41 59 59 40

La Tête dans les Etoiles, Saumur 2011

La Tête dans les Etoiles is our latest niche find and already proving to be a popular choice at Bistrot Les Tontons.

Created by Eric Gastellier, a biodynamic producer located outside of Saumur. Eric grows his chenin blanc grapes on 40 year old vines over an area of 30 ares – this equates to just 10 lines of vines which produces 1500 bottles !

A white oaked wine, mineral in tasting and albeit La Tête dans les Etoiles is still young (2011), it opens itself quickly.  Needless to say we will be following the evolution of this wine with great interest.

The grape harvest dates will be announced later this month and we have been invited to join Eric for this year's vendange... something we are looking forward to.

Bistrot Les Tontons : Two versatile wines from our 2012 Summer Selection

Selected by Gérald, Pot d'Vache (Gamy) is currently featuring amongst our 2012 'Summer Selection' of wines being served at Bistrot Les Tontons.

'Un vin de soif', this light and fruity red is a versitile summer wine and can be enjoyed alone as an apéritif, or enjoyed alongside saucisson, rillette and galipette (stuffed mushrooms).

A fun label, a lovely little find, Pot d'Vache won't disappoint.

Another of Bistrot Les Tontons 2012 'Summer Selection' is Blet Tendre, a fruity white wine (combo of chenin blanc & tri-selection), as well as being a rare find !

Over the last few decades production of chenin wines from the départment 79, Deux-Sèrves has disappeared but Domaine des Terres Blances continues the tradition.

Selected by Gérald, Blet Tendre is perfect served alone for the apéritif. Equally enjoyable alongside cheese and one wine most definitely not to be ignored this summer !

Bistrot Les Tontons
1 bis Place Saint Pierre
49400 Saumur
e: bistrotlestontons@gmail.com
t: +33 (0)2 41 59 59 40