New Places to eat and drink in Avignon

[Vinotas]

I was in Avignon last week for business and managed to hit two places in one hectic day that I think deserve mention here. The wine lists were well-chosen and better yet well-priced (especially with the recent decline in the Evil, er, the Euro).

I met one of my winemakers at a lovely, tiny and modern place called Vinoe & Co, near Avignon’s main market, Les Halles. I loved their Seven Delicious Sins list, which you can see on their website in French but which I took the liberty of translating:

Pride of Cabernet

We are proud to only drink the greatest Cabs

The Gluttony of Riesling

Tart candy which hides a honeyed heart

The Envy of Chardonnay

We only want to wallow in its purest expressions

The Greed of Mourvèdre

For all the decanters in the world

The Wrath of Gamay

Gamay isn’t for the kids anymore

The Lust for Syrah

Like that for a black diamond

The Sloth of Grenache

Ever really feel like working after a great Grenache?

I perused the menu and was shocked: there were some seriously ambitious dishes here. And when I saw the wine list, I nearly fell over. There were many highly-regarded wines at ridiculous prices (and I am taking into account the exchange rate). We chose the 1998 Clos des Papes which was delicious, to put it mildly.

Once my winemaker found out that I would be alone for dinner, he insisted on joining me at a local wine bar with a nice, eclectic list and some great food.

We met up at AOC (no website that I could find, sorry) that night at 8:30pm, and ended up chatting and talking with the owners and other folks until the wee hours of the morning. We tasted some great wines but I don’t recall the names, and we ate some great, light food (like paté, rillettes, saucisson, lots and lots more saucissons of different types, and of course tons of cheese). I can seriously recommend this place, off a small pedestrian street in the heart of Avignon. The welcome was warm, the décor unpretentious, and I am ready to go back. Right now.

Vinoe & Co

http://www.vinoe-co.com/

31 RUE SAINT JEAN LE VIEUX,

84000 AVIGNON

Tel. 04 90 86 31 29

AOC Wine Bar

5, Rue Tremoulet,

84000 Avignon

Tel : 04 90 25 21 04 - Fax : 04 90 25 21 04

Cheers!

PS: Some pics are HERE.