Food & Wine 
 
Restaurants 
 
We understand that everyone's tastes are different, but we always think it is good to share dining secrets. Sometimes it is not just the food that makes a place special but its location or ambience. We suggest some of our favourites (and those of our guests) here........  
 
Food Markets 
 
Few things can be more pleasurable and typical of French living than spending a few hours in a lively food street market. They can be found everywhere, and whilst some are better than others, all guarantee a friendly welcome and great produce. Learn more...... 
 
Wine and the Caves 
 
The area is at the centre of Loire wine making and has four recognised wine regions Anjou, Saumur, Bourgeuil and Chinon. Excellent Sparkling Wines by the champagne method are also produced in abundance around Saumur (try Gratien & Meyer, Ackerman or Ladubay). In every direction you will pass through acres of vines and wine producers invite you to taste at every corner. This is fine, and if you enjoy wine, we recommend you simply try one or two. However, if you want to learn more about variations between the regions -and taste the differences- we recommend a visit to the Maison des Vins in the centre of Saumur (next to the Tourist Office facing the river by the bridge). Here you can explore the different wines with knowledgeable friendly staff. Once you have a clearer idea of what you really like then you can head off to the wine growers own cellar to meet the producers and try in more depth. The Maison des Vins staff can recommend the best cellars to visit. 
 
For more information, visit..........http://www.vinsvaldeloire.fr/en_EN/ 
 
Useful Tip:           If you want to buy wine, prices at the producers are the same as the supermarkets (or even less) and you can buy bottles or cases as required. If you want a more serious quantity to take home, look out for wineries that sell their wine in bulk ('en vrac') where you can buy 'bag in box' of 10 litres or more, or even take your own container. This can reduce the price of your wine by almost half! 
 
Speciality Foods of the Region 
 
fouee au bois -a small hand-made flat bread traditionally baked in a wood fired oven. May be eaten hot with pate, garlic butter or other savouries or sweet with jams. You can find them round the corner from the Cottage at the Boulangerie Cafe 
 
Foie gras - pate of goose liver, found in many restaurants, supermarkets and direct from the farm 
 
Mushrooms -there are several speciality mushroom growers in the region using the troglodyte caves, that were originally the source of stone for local buildings. Seek out 
 
Pommes tapees -this speciality dessert involves drying fresh apples in a slow oven before they are beaten to a flat disc by a huge hammer blow. Delicious with sour cream or ice cream. Visit the local producer near Turquant on the Saumur road.

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