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Wine Festival in Albas in the Lot Valley Area

Supposedly, there is a large wine festival here every other year in May. Anyone have any info on it?

Thanks,
Chris

Posted by
57 posts

This info came from "The Rough Guide to the Dordogne and the Lot", seventh edition published 2022. (Sorry Rick). It indicates "the next one" was to be in 2021 (?). Could be another example of Pandemic extinction. I have also sent questions to a local TI.

Chris

Posted by
2352 posts

If a 2022 edition guide tells you that the next event is in 2021, I think there is progress to be made regarding updates... LOL.

Anyway, the 2020 and 2021 wine festivals in Albas have been canceled.

Also a wine festival in May seems really weird to me. The events concerning the wine are most often related to the harvest.
With climate change, the harvest is taking place earlier and earlier, It can start in August now in some areas, but having to do it in May is still really very early! :)))

Posted by
57 posts

JoLui -

On May 26 of 2022 we went to a "Wine Fair" in Guebwiller (Alsace). For a small fee you purchased a glass and were able to taste free wines from a number of booths. It was a real home-grown local event with a small band and traditional dancers. Food purchases benefited the local EMT if I recall correctly. All in all, a good experience, so we are on the lookout for similar events for our next trip.

Chris

Posted by
2352 posts

There are wine fairs all over France but what is called a wine fair (Foire aux vins) is more of a commercial event where producers come to have their wines tasted to sell them or/and to take orders. I go there from time to time and like you I take my glass and go from stand to stand, at least those that interest me, I taste and possibly buy.

What is organized in Albas is more of a traditional local festival celebrating the end of the harvest, with music, dancing and other entertainment.

In the absence of a festival, you can visit wineries and maybe have a tasting session in the region around Albas.

For example:

In Vire-sur-Lot, the Chateau de Gaudou ( Gaudou Castle ):

https://www.chateaudegaudou.com/en/home

In Caix
Caix Castle:

https://www.chateau-de-cayx.com/en

In Caillac:

Chateau Lagrézette

https://www.chateau-lagrezette.com/

where you can also stay, they have rooms.

They are all producers of Cahors wine which is the regional wine