Villeneuve les Corbieres ~ Fete du Vin.
Saturday, August 14th, 2010
Yesterday it was the village Fete du Vin. The morning started with a Vide Grenier (car boot/flea market) and right outside our front door no less. It was listed on the programme as starting at 6am but in true Corbieres style the first stall was not set up until 6.15am which made me rather happy, as I had visions of stall holders arriving at 5am and banging on the door demanding fresh coffee and croissants. I would have had to tell them that
because I’m from England there is a Royal Edict that means I can only start the day with a Full English Breakfast (fry up) and that it is illegal for me to have croissants in the house. 
The missus and I had a quick mooch round the stalls and just like normal returned home empty handed. This is a good thing, because we really do not need any more clutter in the house collecting dust (my wife is allergic to housework!)
At 11am we ventured out again, this time to have a look round Cave Pilote and the old wine making equipment they have on display. As well as the old pieces of machinery there were also lots of photographs, old black and white and newer colour images, documenting life in the vines and the village from as far back as 1948, but there didn’t seem to be any of my photos, maybe it is because I go to work on a Kings breakfast?
Never being one to turn down a free drink, a side visit to the 
tasting room was also very much in order. I have mastered the art of holding a glass of wine in one hand, and never spilling a single drop, whilst taking photos with the camera in my other hand, at the same time – who says men can’t multitask? 
It’s taken me years to perfect this technique, and I keep it a closely guarded secret for the sole reason that if there are other keen photographers taking photos they will not be draining the reserves of grape juice – which means there will be more wine for me. 
The wander round Cave Pilote, with a delicious glass of locally produced red wine in hand, was followed by speeches and awards from the ‘Chevaliers du Fitou’ in the front of Cave Pilote. The Chevaliers du Fitou, who where all dressed in full ceremonial garb, gave several local wine folk merited awards which were greeted by applause from the gathered crowd.
Standing in the warmth of the August sun watching the award ceremony I came to the conclusion that I 
also deserved a reward, so once the speeches were over it was back into the tasting room for a refreshing glass of Fitou wine to restore vigour and get me in the mood for lunch, not that I ever need an excuse for wine.
There was lunch on offer at the village hall, but desiring a little ‘home’ time to relax, and start this blog post, we strolled back across the river Sabari to our house.
The event packed morning had taken its toll on me, so after lunch I crashed out on the sofa to recharge my energy levels. That is the beauty of having a day long fete in your own village, you can dip in and out of it at will.
At 4.30pm, full of energy and eager to stretch the legs, we headed to the centre of the village to have a look at the little food and craft market. We were a bit early so decided that the only sensible thing to do would be to walk back home, but we’re not sensible and we like to live life on the edge so we popped to the village cafe/restaurant Le Corbierou, for a refreshing cold beer which we drank whilst sitting outside watching villagers and holiday makers promenade. Palate cleansed we then ambled over to Cave Pilote for a glass or two of wine in the tasting room, and for a final look round the exhibits.
Unfortunately Cave Pilote is only open to the public for one day a year, which seems like a real missed
opportunity because it is a very attractive old stone faced building, there is ample parking, and I’m sure local people and tourists alike would find the artifacts and the history of the place would make an interesting stop on a day out in the Corbieres countryside. Obviously Mont Tauch, who own the cave, do not share this opinion, as they appear to be concentrating solely on the cave in Tuchan and it’s new and modern visitors centre, which is also very impressive, but regrettably it is not located directly opposite our house.
Apart from wine related entertainment there were also activities to keep the nippers (children) amused; pony rides around the vines and a train with carriages made from old wine barrels which was drawn by a tractor around the quaint village streets which was very popular with young and old alike!
To summerise this years fete du vin we thought it was the best one to date by far, we had a thoroughly wine-derful day and eagerly await next years fete.
Further photos can be seen here: Fete du Vin Photos.
Video of the Wine Fete.
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