We spent the last week of 2017 in France exploring the Rhône Valley for the first Rhône Valley Tour by ombiasy WineTours scheduled 2018. The Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours will take place from October 15 to 24, 2018. It is already sold-out.
We started in Lyon shortly after Christmas and ended the trip in Châteauneuf-du-Pape on New Year's Day after a phantastic Menu du Sylvestre at the Hostellerie du Château des Fines Roches with the exceptional food of Chef Hugo Loridan-Fombonnet and the great wines of Château des Fines Roches.
In October, the tour will end similarly, with a night and a wine-pairing dinner at Château des Fines Roches.
See: Rhône Valley Tour December 2017: From Lyon to Avignon - Wine, Food, Culture, History
Hostellerie du Château des Fines Roches
Hostellerie du Château des Fines Roches is a luxery hotel and restaurant in fairy tale castle that was built in the late 18002 by Auguste Constantin. In 1936, Louis Mousset bought the castle including 45 hectares of vineyards and made the property the centre of his extensive wine business and his family home. After the death of Louis Mousset his assets were divided among his three children, Jacques, Guy and Catherine.
The château remained in joint ownership of the Mousset family.
Since a decade or so it has been used as a 4 star Hotel with Restaurant, under the direction of Laurent and Martine Zennaro. They are lovely hosts.
We will stay at Hostellerie du Château des Fines Roches during our last night and will have a wine tasting dinner there, prepared by Chef Hugo Loridan-Fombonne.
Laurent and Martine Zennaro - A Fairy Tale Castle: You will enjoy a unique stay in this atypical castle. Both fantasy and medieval neo Provencal style, built high on a hill surrounded by vineyards. Our **** hotel enjoys exceptional views of the Papal Palace and the Alpilles, offering timeless moments to rest and relax.
The Fork: Venez goûter à la véritable vie de château. Entourée de vignes et à deux pas du palais des Papes, cette noble demeure vous offre plusieurs ambiances : une terrasse avec une vue exceptionnelle, l’intimité des petits salons comme la bibliothèque ou encore la grande salle et sa belle cheminée. Dans un magnifique cadre où la nature est reine, vous savourez ici une cuisine gastronomique qui met en avant les produits régionaux. La carte s’ouvre même sur la route des épices. Arrosés de vins somptueux de Châteauneuf-du-Pape, les mets sont fins et raffinés. A déguster le duo d'agneau rôti au thym et sa bohémienne de légumes à la brousse de brebis dans son jus parfumé à l'ail.
Winemaking: Château des Fines Roches and Many Other Mousset Family Wines
Today there are three branches of the Mousset family in Châteauneuf-du-Pape who can thank their common grandfather, Louis Mousset, for their status as major landowner and winemaker in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
First, Jacques Mousset inherited from his father the negociant firm and some estates, but sold off the negociant firm to Cellier des Dauphins in 1996. Today the Mousset family has nothing to do with this firm any more.
Jacques Mousset has retired and his three sons now run his estates. Yann Mousset owns together with his brother Fabrice Domaine de Tout Vent (25 hectares Côte du Rhône). He also runs the wine shop at the Château des Fines Roches. Fabrice Mousset runs Domaine Fabrice Mousset (10 hectares Chateauneuf du Pape) and together with Yann Mousset Domaine de Tout Vent (25 hectares Côte du Rhône). Cyril Mousset runs Domaine de la Font du Roi (24 hectares Châteauneuf du Pape).
Second, Guy Mousset's sons Olivier and Frank Mousset own Clos Saint Michel (15 hectares Châteauneuf du Pape and 12 hectares Côte du Rhône). Frank Mousset has furthermore his own small estate, Domaine des Saumades (2,5 hectares Châteauneuf du Pape).
Third, Catherine, the youngest child of Louis Mousset, married Robert Barrot and today they own Vignobles Mousset-Barrot consisting of three properties: Château des Fines Roches (53 hectares Châteauneuf du Pape), Château du Bois de la Garde (63 hectares Côte du Rhône) and, purchased in 2003, Château Jas de Bressy (4,5 hectares Châteauneuf du Pape). Catherine and Robert's children Amélie Barrot and Gaelle Barrot are now in charge of these 3 estates.
The wines of Clos Saint Michel are made at the cellars of Clos Saint Michel. All other wines of the Mousset family are vinified and aged in the cellars of Château des Fines Roches - separately for each domain.
New Year's Eve Dinner at Hostellerie du Château des Fines Roches
The dinner was prepared by outgoing Chef Nicolas Jay and incoming Chef Hugo Loridan-Fombonnet, who used to be Nicolas Jay's Deputy for many years. When we come back later this year, Nicolas Jay will have left and Hugo Loridan-Fombonnet will have taken over as Executive Chef.
Menu at 135€ per person
Gerald Bataille Jazz Band
Cocktail offered with our Amuses Bouche of the new year’s eve
Mise en Bouche: Langoustine in Green, Lime Emulsion
Starter: Lasagnes of Cheek of Beef and Duck Foie Gras
Fish: Roast Turbot, Potatoes from Noirmoutier, Hazelnut Oil, Caviar of Herring
Meat: Free Range Capon from Mas de la Gabelle, the Breast Cooked in Bouillon and the Leg with Morels
Our Selection of Cheese from Josiane DEAL (MOF)
Pré-Dessert: Chestnut and Blackcurrent as a Tiramisu
Dessert: Parfait Cake Chocolate Mandarin
Mignardises
Chef Hugo Loridan-Fombonnet and his Team
schiller-wine: Related Postings
Ombiasy Wine Tours 2018: 3 x France and 3 x Germany - Ombiasy Newsletter December 2017
Rhône Valley Tour December 2017: From Lyon to Avignon - Wine, Food, Culture, History