The scene is a balmy summer’s evening beneath the leafy plane trees on a square in Provence. The backdrop is strikingly beautiful. At the spectator’s feet, down below the village facing the setting sun, is the endless valley floor of the Rhone. All around, the rolling hills follow on from the steep inclines of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Here, vines have taken centre stage since Antiquity.
The lead role on this extraordinary evening is played by terroir, and to celebrate it, six chefs and artisans from Provence will be playing opposite around fourty Gigondas winegrowers and negociants. Their savoury conversations not only showcase the appellation’s wines, they also turn the spotlight on local, seasonal products. The occasion provides a rare opportunity to enjoy this precious pour in the exact place where it was born, in the company of those who crafted it. Every year, this delicate balancing act between the glass and the plate attracts a large audience.
For the 2023 iteration, the Montlouis-sur-Loire appellation has been invited as guest of honour. There is little doubt that these top Chenin-based wines, whose finest examples are clean and chiselled, will bask in the lace-like land of the Dentelles.
