If you love wine Tasting in France, this page will guide you through unique producer in the French countryside
First, discover Wine tasting in France across these appellations: Côtes Rôties, Condrieu, Saint Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Côtes d’Auvergne, Côtes du Forez, IGP Collines Rhodaniennes and Puy de Dôme.
November 23-26, 2025, France!
Above all, a fantastic driver: my father, André Brousset, because there is nothing better than family and these priceless memories!
Red grape varieties :
Gamay
Syrah
Pinot Noir
Purcari Noir (Moldova)
Persan (old Isère grape variety)
Etraire de la Dhuy (old Isère grape variety)
White grape varieties :
Viognier
Marsanne
Rousanne
Chasselas
Chardonnay
Vermentino
Verdesse (old Isère grape variety)
Many thanks to Gare ô Vin Festival and Association des Coteaux du Gier for supporting Gier Valley vineyards.
And also to the wineries that so generously welcomed us.
I will share my experiences in upcoming blog posts.
Cave de la Madone, Champdieu
Cave Verdier-Logel, Marcilly-sur-Châtel
Les Vignerons de Vienne, Chavannay
Cave Stéphane Montez, Chavannay
Cave Saint-Désirat, Saint-Désirat
Cave Tartagene, Chagnon
23 November, 2025, Gare ô Vin in Saint-Martin-la-Plaine (42)
A Sunday afternoon of gourmet surprises opened four days of wine tasting in France. I met 34 passionate winemakers from across France and one from Moldova, each sharing unique grape varieties and appellations. Quality varied, but their deep knowledge of vines, soils, and climates truly stood out. It was a rare chance to taste these wines outside their regions: Côtes d’Auvergne, Forez, Roannaise, and IGPs.
Exhibitors noted a large, enthusiastic crowd—great news for nature and biodiversity. These can only thrive if the farmers who care for the land can continue to earn a fair living.
Since I couldn’t taste everything, I’ll share a few key takeaways. The diversity of wines was striking. Gamay and Gamay Saint Romain revealed delicate smoky and spicy notes—true expressions of their terroir—despite no barrel aging. These lesser-known wines remind us to avoid quick judgments; they have much to teach.
Volcanic Loire vineyards on basalt and granite produce complex, refreshing wines with moderate alcohol, great for daily food pairings.
These wines naturally pair beautifully with Fourme de Montbrison PDO, a world-renowned blue cheese. The Loire’s terroir shines through pâté en croûte, rapée stéphanoise, Rigottes de Condrieu PDO, and many local specialties. Wine brings people together, vineyards help preserve nature, and French gastronomy is recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Europe is full of culinary traditions to protect and share, which deeply inspires my blog, Winery and Friends.
See you soon for the next Wine Route stage in Côtes du Forez, a Loire Valley subregion since 2000.
