Trip to France

[Randy Caparoso]

One idea might be to drop in on Kermit Lynch's wine store in Berkeley. They're at 1605 San Pablo Ave., which is a left turn a few blocks off University headed towards the Berkeley campus. The people there could probably give some guidance. Really, Lynch's estates are probably the only ones you really have a chance to "visit" (if at all), since in that particular part of France (I've visited myself a couple of times), vintners aren't really into the "tasting room" scene like Americans, Australians, or even Germans and Italians. Most times, wineries are extensions of their homes.

Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant is open only Tuesdays through Saturdays. Phone is 510-525-1524. Fax is 510-528-7026.

Finally: visit Coullioure, the beautiful Mediterranean town just off the Spanish border. There you will drink Banyuls (luscious fortified reds) or Coullioures (whites and reds that will add hair to your chest) in brilliant, sun splashed cafes, watching the vines in the surrounding hills go crashing down into the turquoise blue sea.

Then there's the nearby seaside town of Perpignan, where you eat fresh, nearly quivering belon oysters that come chuggling up to your table on boats from the hundreds of "table top" beds right off the shore. The wine you drink there is called Picpoul -- literally a lemony, lip smacking, light dry white, perfect for the time and place.

Oh well... have a good time.


[This message has been edited by Randy Caparoso (edited 03-30-2002).]