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 when 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.

OPENING SOON - Bistrot Les Tontons, Saumur

Yesterday was an exceptional day for 'la famille Beaumont'. After many long, long weeks of anticipation our final meeting was scheduled with the Notaire, after which, Gérald and I left as the owners of the future Bistrot Les Tontons, Saumur.

Set in the heart of the historical quarter of Saumur, in the pretty square called Place Saint Pierre, Bistrot Les Tontons will open on Monday 4 July 2011.

Providing a relaxing and welcoming environment for all, whether it's for a coffee, a light refreshment or glass of wine with a friend. For those seeking a wine from the Loire Valley or throughout France. Lunch or evening dining. A private evening event... for those of you who know Gérald you can be rest assured his passion, enthusiasm and knowledge of wine combined with his love for the olde French traditions ensures the je ne sais quoi will be present in Bistort Les Tontons.

Gérald Beaumont is your man!

During the month of May 'Annie's House' was home to Anne & Kevin Major, their love for France and French wines brought them to the Loire Valley to discover in depth the variety of wines produced by the chenin and cabernet franc grapes.

Kevin Major, a highly acclaimed writer with an impressive number of awards to his name, is also a wine blogger; One Brilliant Bottle, a Finalist for Best New Wine Blog, Wine Blog Awards Vintage 2010.

Appreciating his time with Gérald and Géralds introductions to his vigneron friends, I will leave you to read Kevins touching comments:

I came to the Loire Valley with little appreciation of Loire wines. I left with a great deal, due in large part to Gérald Beaumont. Gérald is a storehouse of knowledge because he has lived with these wines all his life. He grew up in a family of vignerons, the lure of wine-making deep within him. It has very much shaped the person he is today.

It is one thing to hold knowledge, another to be able to impart it. Fluent in both French and English, Gérald is the specialist one always hopes to encounter – affable, good-humoured, full of knowledge grounded in experience. He is more than willing to answer any and all questions (no matter how basic or esoteric), willing to go out of his way to help connect you with vignerons and their wines.

With the help of Gérald I was able to taste more distinct versions of chenin and cabernet franc (the two main grapes of Loire wines) than I ever thought existed. But, beyond that, he led me to other varietals in several other regions of France with which he had personal connection through his years operating a wine bar. It was wine tasting flavoured with the stories of French rural life as well as the realities of winemaking in modern France.

If you are looking for an authentic wine experience, one you will long remember and value, Gérald Beaumont is your man.

Kevin Major
writer, wine blogger
one brilliant bottle