Booze Cruise

[sunny-dave]

I'm off to the land of the "cheese eating surrender monkeys" (© GW Bush) in a few days time.

The main reason is to go and pay my respects at the D Day beach where my Dad landed in 1944 - then I hope to do some bird watching at the Parc Ornitologique Du Marquenterre in the Baie de Somme.

But since I'm there I may as well fill the car with some decent wine.

I know all the usual hypermarchés (Leclerc, Auchan, whatever) - but has anyone got any recommendations for smaller Caves a Vins or even Vente Directe places either near the tunnel terminal or in the Somme or Eastern Normandy areas.

Cheers

dave x

[jno]

cheese eating surrender monkeys came from The Simpsons, not Bush.

[jno]

er, and to answer the question, no, sorry

[sunny-dave]

Apologies to GW & Homer - I'm not sure who would be most offended at the misapprehension :)

[Caran]

We have used Pidout not far from Calais before. Google it for directions. But we always use Auchan too.

[mrs_overall]

I can't help you with this one dave, but I am always available as a wine taster

[mccfluff]

red :-D

[Booldawg]

Calais Wine Warehouse and Majestic both have retail outlets on an industrial unit not far from the Channel Tunnel.

We often swing in there on our way back.

[New Judge]

Make sure that you fill your back seat and boot with wine leaving no space for stowaways:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-29063132

[sunny-dave]

Yes indeed NJ - a worrying development.

I'll be taking the precaution of filling the car so full of wine that not even an asylum seeking gnat could find room to sneak in ... :)

[gness]

I'm spending four days this week....making cider...well that's the plan.

So shall we swap......some of your wine for my cider?.....☺

[sunny-dave]

It's a deal ☺

scrumpy dave

[gness]

Scrumpy Dave....if you think I'm going to say.....

Thank you,

Winey Gness.....think again!....☺

[tonyav]

Don't forget to strain the pips out, gness Or does leaving them in make it stronger.

[gness]

The pips are for my pea shooter, Tony......☺

[tonyav]

I just knew that you would have use for them, gness.

[jomifl]

Many French supermarkets have a 'foire a vins' at the moment and there are some bargains to be had. Take a corkscrew and glass with you so that you can try promising bottles in the car park. You can check what is in the promotions on their websites. Personally I'd get a few bottles of Pomerol and Margaux, they are a bit pricey but excellent with rare roast beef. Lidl do some good and very cheap Spanish wines. 'Batturica' is I believe much cheaper in France than UK.

[sunny-dave]

Thanks jomifl - the first aid kit in my car has a "waiter's friend" in it - for just such scenarios.

I hadn't thought of looking in the French Aldi & Lidl - must be worth a try.

[wolf63]

If you accidently find yourself in Belgium remember and buy some Truffles. You could get on of Amazon's drones to drop it off in Perth.

Enjoy your trip and I hope that you find that the birds are to your liking.

[askyourgran]

If you are going by car check your boot and undercarriage for a few extra passengers on the way back. If by motorbike... if you should feel someones arms around your waist at Calais make sure it isn't La Femme from the night before, before knocking them off your pillion. Bon voyage mon ami