Gigondas

After an hour and a half deluge last night, the skies gradually cleared to give us yet one more glorious day in Provence. We hit our last market this morning in Ste. Cecile, while the skies were still clearing up and therefore the crowds didn't exist - a much easier walk that way. I thought these were pretty interesting fall plants.

We then thought we'd go and visit Nick Thompson at Domaine L'Ameillaud, but alas we needed an appointment on Saturday and found no one home. His vines had some fairly impressive colour in them.

Our principle objective for the day was to eat and visit in Gigondas, but before that, we made a stop at Vignerons de Charactere in Vacqueras. The tasting room was crazy busy, so we moved on. Next stop - Gigondas.

Given last night's atmospheric conditions, we were't sure that we'd be eating outside today, but after a short walk in the village we arrived at L'Oustalet for lunch under the plane trees.

The last picture is especially for Carole, as she had the picture of her trip last year seated here in her yellow pants. L'Oustalet has never disappointed us and this was no exception, with courses like this risotto starter

or this main course of guinea fowl

or this dessert of grilled figs with anise toffee snaps.

Jackie drank Gigondas rose while the rest of us had a fabulous 2011 Gigondas Longue Toque.

That last wine led us to the Longue Toque winery to buy a bottle or two, where we encountered Jasper the friendly Dutchman who gave us a wonderful introduction to the house of Gabriel Meffre wines - which, by the way, include Fat Bastard, available at the LCBO. The wine boutique is on a nice piece of property looking up at the Dentelles, with picnic facilities on site.

The car got a little heavier and my wine cellar has been restocked courtesy of this visit.

We spent the remainder of the daylight hours on the terrace enjoying the fine day. Boy, are we lucky! Tomorrow will be slower with the main order of business being packing for our trip into Italy. Argh!