13ème Dive Bouteille, Château de Brézé 49

'All good things come to an end' and after a remarkably mild winter the snow arrived!

Not to be deterred Gérald and I headed off to the organic and biodynamic wine fair, La Dive Bouteille, held in the impressive troglodyte caves under the stunning Château de Brézé.

Marion from Bistrot Les Tontons joined us as we sourced new wines, not only for our wine bar Bistrot Les Tontons in Saumur but also for Ten Green Bottles, with whom we have a partnership and wine bar in Brighton, The Wine Shop & Tasting Room.

An extremely well supported wine fair vignerons from - Champagne - Alsace - Jura - Savoie - Bourgogne - Beaujolais - Bordeaux et Sud-Ouest - Rhône - Languedoc - Roussillon - Provence-Corse - Loire - were in attendance.

Including producers from Géorgie, Serbie, Italie, le Coste (Italie), Espagne; Argentine, Chili and producers presenting cognac, ciders and liqueurs.


An expert in his field it is always an enlightening experience for me to join Gérald at wine fairs, not only to sample new and vintage wines but, in addition, to meet the vignerons directly, many of whom Gérald has known since his days of owning a bar à vin, wine bar in Paris.

On Monday I had the pleasure of meeting Thierry Navarre, Domaine Thierry Navarre - Domaine Thierry Navarre will soon be available at Bistrot Les Tontons, Saumur.

Gallery of Photos : 13ème Dive Bouteille

Bistrot Les Tontons is referenced in the well known restaurant guide; 'Petit Futé'

It has been an exciting six months since Bistrot Les Tontons opened in Place Saint Pierre, Saumur and today is no exception... as we can announce our bar à vin now joins other respected places to eat in the well known restaurant guide; 'Petit Futé'.

L'avis du Petit Futé sur LES TONTONS :
Des petits nouveaux place Saint-Pierre ! Les Tontons, c'est un petit bistrot bien sympa qui fait aussi bar à vin. Les Tontons ? Un clin d’œil à Audiard, le dialoguiste des Tontons Flingueurs, un grand amateur de "bonne bouffe". Et ici, justement, derrière une grande baie vitrée qui laisse observer aux alentours, on sert de la bonne cuisine traditionnelle, sans chichi. A l'ardoise : Terrines, potages, hareng - patates... pour les entrées. Et puis ensuite, bavette, entrecôte (et délicieuses frites maison), "plat mijoté du moment" en hiver, ou grandes salades fraîcheur en été. Enfin au dessert, tarte tatin, pain perdu ou dessert du jour. La simplicité de la carte est compensée par la qualité des plaisirs gourmands retrouvés. Parfois, il n'est pas besoin d'aller chercher très loin pour manger bien et bon. Il suffit juste d’apprécier un foie-gras mi-cuit servi avec une briochette et son chutney d'oignon. Et de l'accompagner d'un bon verre de vin. La sélection de blancs, de rouges, de rosés et de bulles est large et revue chaque semaine. Elle inclut des vins locaux et des propositions plus atypiques. Pour ceux qui décident de prolonger la dégustation, il est prévu de quoi grignoter.

The 'New Look' for Bistrot Les Tontons is Here !!

Since opening our wine bar, bar à vin, Bistrot Les Tontons in July 2011 there have been continual improvements and this week saw the greatest, the arrival of our new façade and Les Tontons signs.

















Gérald leaves the 'old look' Bistrot Les Tontons for the last time.

















The old glass front is removed...!

















The new façade will open fully during the summer months.

















Early morning in Saumur and the signs are going up !

















A 'sneek peek' of things to come for Bistrot Les Tontons 2012.

















On Sunday the children and I saw the 'new look' for the first time...

















...and toasted the past two days work with hot chocolates, much loved treats of Augustin & Constance (and Mummy Beaumont...!)

A 'New Look' for Bistrot Les Tontons in 2012

Since opening in July 2011 Les Tontons has transformed itself into a cosy bistro and wine bar. Attractively located in the historical heart of Saumur Bistrot Les Tontons is set within one of the many classified tuffeau buildings which make up the pretty square of Place Saint Pierre.

It goes without saying, Gérald has many plans for the bistro, one of which has left us eagerly awaiting the approval from the Bureaux des Batiments de France and the Mairie de Saumur of our proposed changes to the bistro’s façade.

The festive season could not have taken off on a better footing and to our great delight on 1st December 2011 we learnt the old façade can be replaced - the work for the new façade will commence on 16th January 2012.

Le "pont", the festivities continue...

After a glorious day of sunshine on the 14th, le 'Pont', the Friday commonly taken in France to extend a Bank Holiday weekend, appeared to take a turn for the not-so-great.

Holiday makers, locals and passer-bys were undeterred from a spot of drizzle and Bistrot Les Tontons continued to exude les sentiments des vacances as the terrace and festivities reflected.

As the evening drew in the ambience moved inside the wine bar - those choosing full dining residing at the tables and those casually sharing a glass or two of wine stood at the bar enjoying a plate of charcuterie.

With an atmosphere accueillante et chaleureuse it was no surprise the evening ran into the small hours!

Le 14 juillet - Bastille Day

Glorious sunshine bathed Saumur as the days festivities to celebrate le 14 juillet, Bastille Day, got underway colourfully set up along the edge of the Loire river.

Not wishing to miss out on the day ourselves Constance, Augustin and I made our way to Bistrot Les Tontons, Saumur not only to see 'Papa Beaumont' and enjoy a diablo but to meet our dear friends Hélène, la marraine (God-Mother) to Constance and her husband Laurent.

Having been exposed, for many years, to Géralds wines and home cooked cuisine both Laurent and 'Hélène La Gourmande' were especially happy to experience the result of our much talked about venture for 2011, whilst Hélène went one step further and pronounced Bistrot Les Tontons as the new venue for 'lunches with the gals' - I for one will look forward to this!

Bistrot Les Tontons, Saumur

With much of Saumur cordoned off to traffic for this weekends festivities Fridays deadline deliveries were unable to reach us and albeit this wasn't quite to plan there was much to do in preparation for the now opening of Bistrot Les Tontons on Tuesday 05 July 2011.

BEFORE

Gérald and I viewed the then called Cafe La Grange back in March where upon first sight it resembled the Pompidou Centre, Paris.

Since signing on 21st June the future Bistrot Les Tontons has undergone a vast transformation.


WORK IN PROGRESS

For those of you who know Gérald from Domaine de la Paleine you will be delighted to learn Gérald will continue to represent the Domaine.

Further more the wines from Domaine de la Paleine will be available to enjoy during lunch and dinner and can be purchased directly from la cave at Bistort Les Tontons.

In addition, Loire Valley Uncorked will continue to provided privately conducted wine tasting tours at the Domaine de la Paleine and NEW for 2012 - wine tastings & river boat trips on the Loire river held on Domaine de la Paleines own private la toue, river boat.