Wine Course and Tour

La Platriere, although in the Auvergne region, is close to the borders of Bourgogne (Burgundy) A Great Wine producing area of France, renowned throughout the world. Our two day wine course and tour runs throughout the summer and autumn seasons. You can incorporate them within a longer stay or a short break - the choice is yours!

During the two days you will be able to sample and taste during the wine supper a wide range of wine from all over France, including well known regions such as Bordeaux, Cotes de Rhone, Burgundy, Loire Valley and Alsace, as well as lesser known wines such as local wines from the Auvergne, Cher, and Languedoc. During this supper you will be served a variety of different foods that make good accompaniment to the different wine, whilst listening to an informative talk about the different wines and helpful tips on buying, serving and investing in wine. You will be offered dry whites, sweet whites, rose, and 5 different types of red wines. You will be able to ask questions whilst savouring and discussions are informal, informative and fun!

The course continues the next day with a full day tour to 2-3 vineyards, including a visit to the Pouilly Fumé  vineyard in Pouilly-sur-Loire. Here you will receive a guided tour,(with an english translation) to learn about the process of producing grapes and making superb wine as well as the opportunity to taste and buy some of the greatest wines around at vineyard prices. A picnic lunch is provided during the day along the banks of the River Loire, and on the way back to La Platriere we will stop off at a restaurant and you will have the opportunity to buy your evening meal of superb French cuisine. There will be room for you in our vehicles to transport any wine you have bought back to La Platriere with you.  

The Wine Tour package consists of the following:

• 2 nights accommodation at La Platriere

• 2 breakfasts

• Welcome drink on arrival

• 1 Wine tasting supper

• Picnic lunch

• Transport on Wine Tour to and from La Platriere

• Wine guide

• One day wine tour to visit 2-3 vineyards (Pouilly Fumé)

• Helpful talk

• Bottled water to take on Wine Tour

• Opportunity to buy wine at wineyard prices

• Translation and explanations by guide whenever necessary.

• Transport of wine bought at vineyard to La Platriere.

• Transport to and from restaurant for evening meal on day of Wine Tour

ONLY 775 euros per 2 people sharing a room!!!    * FREE boxed carton

                                                                                        of wine (6 bottles) for

                                                                                        every booking!!!*

 Don't delay contact us now to book your very own Wine Tour (and don't forget to enter our free prize draw!)

 French Cuisine Cooking Holiday

Have fun learning some French dishes, tasting new foods and meeting some interesting people. This week long holiday incorporates participants learning by a “hands-on” experience – no sitting back and watching!

Classes are held in a farm Restaurant Auberge, in a relaxed atmosphere with an experienced and renowned French chef. All classes benefit from an interpreter present to translate into english. For all skill levels this course is great value, and is informal so you'll never feel out of place.

This cooking holiday will provide the opportunity for you to experience life in rural France and learn traditional methods of cooking which can be adapted easily in your kitchen at home, so that you take back a “taste of France” with you to enjoy long after your holiday is over. What's more - non-cooking guests are welcome too. So bring along your friend or partner, they qualify for a reduced rate, get to taste all the great food, and go on some of the visits.

A word or two from your Instructor Didier

“Bonjour – my name is Didier, I was born in Bergerac, a city which is situated on the banks of the river Dordogne which flows through the nice region of Périgord. Such origins could only lead me to the love of good country cooking, with one grandmother from Bergerac, the other one from Saint Emilion, with its well-know great wines. How could I have escaped from the lure of gastronomy!

Chance, meeting people, and maybe being a little known locally led me to meet Jean Luc Petitrenaud, one of the most famous food critics in France. To hell with my own modesty, I must confess I had great pleasure to be highly acclaimed by such a top star of gastronomy, who is more used to Michelin Guide 3 star restaurants. Only one meal, of the most simple and traditional kind was enough for Jean Luc to ask me for a TV programme on TV5 and interviews on international radio, Europe No:1 plus a double full page spread in the national magazine “L’Express”.

Today, I still blush with pleasure when I think about it, but when the greatest food critic says my boudin blanc is “exceptional” and my restaurant “La Gravette is inspirational and moving, a real disorientation where sincerity and honesty are the first ingredients in building up this little miracle in the Bourbonnais”……Well I am most pleased!

So dear friends from across the channel, I am ready to share my love of  French country cooking with you, and I am sure my grandmother’s who never knew anything about Great Britain except “ici radio Londres” from the worst of the 40s, will be quite surprised from heaven to see their grandson telling you some of their cooking secrets.

When a customer in my restaurant appreciates a dish and asks me for the recipe he always adds “but I know you will not tell me…..it’s a secret”. I always answer “of course I will”. I believe cooking is a pleasure which MUST be shared and I’m going to tell you a secret. The “chefs” who do not want to give you their recipes are those who do not cook themselves!

So, dear friends, I hope to see you one of these days to share a little of French cooking.
Didier

Your itineray for 7 Day Cooking Holiday

Day 1 Saturday – Arrival
A warm welcome will greet you on your arrival at La Platriere by your hosts for the week, Jackie and Andy. After settling in your room, and being shown the facilities of La Platriere, you will settle down in our cosy guest lounge where you will meet other participants for the course. Over aperitifs your hosts will go over with you the course structure in an introductory talk, and answer any questions you may have. Following this there will be an informal welcome supper with of course wine.

Day 2 – Sunday
7-30 to 9-30 – Breakfast (to include brioche, fresh croissants, breads and preserves, cereals, orange juice, yogurts, tea and coffee)

At midday you will be taken to the Ferme Auberge Restaurant – the venue for your cookery classes - for dinner. Here you will meet Didier and Michelle, owners of the auberge, and your instructor for the week. You will also meet your course interpreter who will be able to translate in English enabling you to ask as many questions as you like.

After a very pleasant “dejeuner”, you will return to La Platriere to spend the afternoon and evening as you wish, - relaxing by the pool; going for a walk; reading etc etc.

Day 3 – Monday
After an early breakfast, you will be taken to the Auberge for your first lesson, starting at 8.30 am.
Coffee and fruit juice will be provided throughout the morning.
After a morning of slaving over a hot stove, you will then enjoy lunch which includes what you have made in the morning.

After lunch we will collect you from the Auberge and take you a local vineyard. Here you will learn about wine-making and have the opportunity to taste different wines. Should you be tempted, there will also be opportunity to purchase any that tickle your palate to take back home with you , and serve as a reminder of your holiday experience here in the heart of rural France.

Around 6pm you will return to La Platriere for a well earned rest where you can relax by the pool if you wish.

At approximately 8pm, we will serve you your evening meal.

Day 4 – Tuesday
The morning will be the same as Day 3, except that today you will be learning something different. And for lunch you will eat what you have made:

After lunch you will visit the Foret de Tronçais, renowned throughout France as the oldest and largest oak plantation in Europe, with some oaks exceeding 400 years old.
The Forest is full of mystery and legend. Here you will have the opportunity to work of some of those calories you’ve consumed, and work up an appetite for the evening meal, as we take you on one of the many different walks available in the forest. Amongst others you will visit the “l’arbre de la resistance” – a tree aged 360 years old, a memorial to resistance who were shot there during February 1944.

The evening again will be spent at La Platriere, where for dinner “Escaplope pannée and Gratinée de chou fleur” which you made earlier in the day will be included as the main meal.

Day 5– Wednesday
After breakfast you will visit Sancoins which holds a large market every week where numerous traders set up their stalls in the squares, halls and pedestrianized streets of the town. Sancoins market is the main market in the area and attracts many tourists in the summer, as well as regular customers from the département of Cher and the adjoining départements of Nièvre and Allier. This weekly market plays an essential role in local life, and the local food trade prides itself on it know-how and the quality of products. Duck, foie gras, jam, cheese, brioche and charlolais beef can be found on the stalls of traders and farmers directly selling their products in the market. Whilst at Sancoins you will also visit Les Grivelles livestock market. Charolais cattle breeding predominates in the this region, and the Grivelles livestock market is the trading place for sheep, big cattle, and calves which are sold in France and Europe.

Day 6– Thursday
After an early breakfast, you will be taken to the Auberge for your 3rd and final cooking lesson.

You will spend the afternoon visiting a local Cheesemaker. Here you will learn the process of making different cheeses and have a great time sampling them! Again you will have the opportunity to buy some cheese to take back home with you! .

Returning to La Platriere for well-earned rest and dinner – something you prepared earlier???

Day 7– Friday
After breakfast you are free to spend the day as you wish – you have worked hard all week and deserve it! We will gather together in the late afternoon for a “soiree” and farewell meal – Barbeque and drinks by the pool (weather permitting) Didier and Michelle will join us as well as your interpreter for the week. You will receive surprise presents and a Certificate stating your achievement will be awarded to each one of you!!

WELL DONE!

Day 8– Saturday
Departure day! Its time to go home, your recipes with you, but you’ll also take with you fond memories of a fun-packed week spent with like-minded people. Remember too it doesn’t have to be goodbye but Au Revoir – there is always the advanced course!

Is your mouth watering for more? Then don’t delay Book Now!

Booking the Traditional French Cuisine Cooking Holiday:
Reserving your place on this fantastic cooking holiday is easy – just an e-mail or phone call away or fill in the contact form below and stand a chance to win a free holiday in our cottage during 2009! So Why Wait? Book now for an unforgettable holiday experience.

Rates:
The following are all 7 days / 7 nights stays which include:

• Welcome drink and canapés during introducing talk

• Full board accommodation in luxury bedrooms with private ensuite

• Fluffy towels and clean white linen

• 3 mornings from 8:30 to 12.:30 of cooking workshops held at local Ferme Auberge Restaurant, all ingredients, equipment and apron provided. Followed by lunch at the auberge until 14.30. Then afternoon excursion, returning to La Platriere at 18.00 hrs.

• Water, tea, coffee throughout the day

• Various outings to local places of interest relating to the rural life, food and drink of France

• The jars of preserves that you have made you can take home

The holidays take place during June, October and November just inquire about the dates that suit you.

Prices quoted above are per person sharing.

Accompanying non-participants quoted for 7 days/nights full-board which includes meal at restaurant Auberge on Sunday itininary and full days visit to Sancoins market and Aprement-sur-Allier on Wednesday.

The rooms will be allocated on a first come - first served basis, on confirmation and payment of your holiday.

Non-Refundable deposit of 150 euros required per person on booking with the balance due 8 weeks prior to holiday.

Easter Short Break 2009 - Special Offer

Wanting to relax and get away from it all - then spoil yourself and your family this Easter by booking La Platriere for a short break. Our 3 night Easter package is ideal for couples and families, and includes the following:

• Buffet Supper on day of arrival Good Friday

• 3 nights accommodation

• Continental breakfasts daily

• Light Lunch and Evening Meal on the Saturday

• Easter Sunday - dinner at local auberge

• Transport to and from auberge on Easter Sunday

• Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday for the children

Package price for 2 adults/1 room - €530

Package price for Family room (up to 3 children under 12) €760

Why not spoil yourself this Christmas 2008? If you are planning a family gathering this Christmas but dreading the shopping and cooking, why not put your feet up and join us at La Platriere?

>> Click HERE for our special Christmas-page <<