Speed-tasting at Musc'Halles
Presentation
By Ludivine - July 2021
This summer, Frontignan is celebrating its Muscat wine in several events. As I am not from the region, the tourist office advised me to take part in the Musc'Halles to discover the local terroir. What is the Musc'Halles? An oenology workshop lasting about half an hour organised around the Halles during the traditional Thursday market.
This summer, Frontignan is celebrating its Muscat wine in several events. As I am not from the region, the tourist office advised me to take part in the Musc'Halles to discover the local terroir. What is the Musc'Halles? An oenology workshop lasting about half an hour organised around the Halles during the traditional Thursday market.
Several slots are offered from 10am to 1pm. I personally booked for the one at 11:30. When I arrived at the Halles de Frontignan, I found the stand just behind it, which I could spot thanks to its barrels and its yellow banner.
I am welcomed by Valérie from the Tourist Office who introduces me to our oenologist, Didier Duquenoy, and invites me to sit around a barrel. It's rather convivial, there are 3 of us per barrel, that is to say about ten people.
Mr Duquenoy presents us the history of Muscat de Frontignan as well as the estate we are tasting this morning (every Thursday, a different estate is highlighted). Today we discover the Peyronnet estate.
I am welcomed by Valérie from the Tourist Office who introduces me to our oenologist, Didier Duquenoy, and invites me to sit around a barrel. It's rather convivial, there are 3 of us per barrel, that is to say about ten people.
Mr Duquenoy presents us the history of Muscat de Frontignan as well as the estate we are tasting this morning (every Thursday, a different estate is highlighted). Today we discover the Peyronnet estate.
After this historical and cultural moment, it's time for the tasting! The oenologist serves us the first Muscat and we study together its colour, its smell and its taste. Valérie also brings us a tray of mussels to match this first glass.
We then taste a second Muscat which goes perfectly with cheese, especially Comté or blue cheese. It's amazing how a wine can counterbalance the power of cheese! We finish with a sweet and fresh touch to accompany some melon... It smells like a holiday!
We learned a lot about how to taste a muscatel wine and how to pair it with other wines, so we can impress our future guests. It's a good thing we went to the market to buy some products and then to the Peyronnet cellar a few steps away to buy some bottles.
I highly recommend this free workshop, even if you are from Frontignan, Muscat can still surprise you!
We then taste a second Muscat which goes perfectly with cheese, especially Comté or blue cheese. It's amazing how a wine can counterbalance the power of cheese! We finish with a sweet and fresh touch to accompany some melon... It smells like a holiday!
We learned a lot about how to taste a muscatel wine and how to pair it with other wines, so we can impress our future guests. It's a good thing we went to the market to buy some products and then to the Peyronnet cellar a few steps away to buy some bottles.
I highly recommend this free workshop, even if you are from Frontignan, Muscat can still surprise you!