Aire in Uzès
20 replies
SteveL replied on 29/04/2022 23:03
Posted on 29/04/2022 12:38 by hitchglitchThe Aire in Bagnols is really a small extension to the car park. Enough said!
No, I have never been to a tasting in a “Cave” in 60 years of visiting France but have stuck my head in a few cellars/shops in Beaune and Fleurie. The wines seemed overpriced to me so I wasn’t tempted. Perhaps I am missing something?
Posted on 29/04/2022 23:03
Many years ago in Beaune we went for a wine tasting. We had bought this book from the tourist office and it listed lots of small producers who were happy to let you taste their produce and perhaps buy a bottle or three. The cave was a huge cellar under a large bungalow in the back streets of Beaune. We weren’t even sure we had the right place, but Madame ushered us in down several passageways and staircases. We were treated to a tasting of several whites and a few reds and shown photos of where on the slopes the grapes were grown, their terroir and how they weren’t that far from Nuit-Saint-Georges. Our eldest, who was old enough to try small samples even got his hand slapped for going back to the white after the red.😂
Yes there are certainly touristy places but then there are places like that. I certainly think we would have missed something if we hadn’t done it. We’ve done a lot since and many before, but that certainly ranks as one of the best.
SeasideBill replied on 30/04/2022 22:22
Posted on 29/04/2022 13:13 by eurortravellerI suggest lunch at Terroirs in the main square at Uzes - perhaps just a platter of cold meats and a glass or two of their local wine - either sit in the sun outside or sit in shade under the arcades depending on the weather. Ask the boss what he has chosen as his house wine - trust him because he has taste and style - and if you like it buy a couple of bottles of it in the restaurant shop, or note the name and go to the vineyard. But either way it won’t be cheap - and the supermarkets won’t have it.
replied on 30/04/2022 23:11
Posted on 30/04/2022 22:22 by SeasideBillI suspect your recommendations are lost on hitchglitch, he’s more of a Blue Nun at Aldi sort of guy.
SteveL replied on 09/06/2022 16:56
Posted on 29/04/2022 07:57 by SteveLLooks very nice and they produce three Rose wines, our choice in the hot weather.😀 Strangely enough, just before reading this thread I was looking at an Aire in Arles. Unfortunately although ideally situated, I ruled it out. The area alongside the Rhone looked rather run down and on street view (admittedly a moment in time, although looking rather permanent ) occupied by travellers.
Posted on 09/06/2022 16:56
Decided to stop in Uzes tonight. The Aire at the vineyard is very good, if currently a bit dusty, being whipped up by the wind. Totally full tonight, one van has already come in and had to leave. The facilities are easy to access and rubbish / recycling better than some campsites. Arrived about 13:30 had some lunch, then went and tasted the 3 rose wines. They were totally distinct and we liked them all, so had bottle of each. The walk into the town is easy and a visit to the medieval garden well worth the €7 entrance fee, the view from the top of tower is spectacular.
Gallery
moulesy replied on 09/06/2022 17:08
Posted on 09/06/2022 17:08
Steve - you did the right thing in avoiding Arles. We were there recently (on our river cruise) and took a coach tour from there to Pont du Gard which went past three distinct areas which could be the aire you were looking at and, yes, they all appeared to be established traveller areas. In fact it didn't even occur to me that any of them were potential aires! 
(Although the city itself is lovely! 
)
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replied on 09/06/2022 17:37
Posted on 09/06/2022 16:56 by SteveLDecided to stop in Uzes tonight. The Aire at the vineyard is very good, if currently a bit dusty, being whipped up by the wind. Totally full tonight, one van has already come in and had to leave. The facilities are easy to access and rubbish / recycling better than some campsites. Arrived about 13:30 had some lunch, then went and tasted the 3 rose wines. They were totally distinct and we liked them all, so had bottle of each. The walk into the town is easy and a visit to the medieval garden well worth the €7 entrance fee, the view from the top of tower is spectacular.
replied on 09/06/2022 17:46
SteveL replied on 09/06/2022 18:05
Posted on 09/06/2022 17:37 byWe didn't in the end, after all our dithering, head that way ("dithering" was a subject of another thread) so I am glad to have the feedback. Maybe another time for us. Hopefully. We have travelled in quite a different direction.
Can you clarify if you need to be a member of the FP scheme, as implied in some reviews I read? Thanks.
Posted on 09/06/2022 18:05
Can you clarify if you need to be a member of the FP scheme, as implied in some reviews I read? Thanks.
It does not seem so, we aren’t members. There is no signage to indicate you have to be a member of anything. Just signs directing you to the MH Aire. As it’s just turned 7 pm here, I think we are locked in for the night and nobody has been to check anything. I think they are just happy to have a few additional wine buyers.
replied on 09/06/2022 20:48
Posted on 09/06/2022 18:05 by SteveLCan you clarify if you need to be a member of the FP scheme, as implied in some reviews I read? Thanks.
It does not seem so, we aren’t members. There is no signage to indicate you have to be a member of anything. Just signs directing you to the MH Aire. As it’s just turned 7 pm here, I think we are locked in for the night and nobody has been to check anything. I think they are just happy to have a few additional wine buyers.
SteveL replied on 10/06/2022 08:44
Posted on 10/06/2022 08:44
The vans that I thought were going away as the Aire was full, were parked up the entrance road in the car spaces when I went for an explore later. As they go and close the gate at 19:00 I assume they must allow this, if only overnight. Also, although it mentions that access is possible after 19:00 on foot, this does seem to be by climbing a wall to get into the vineyard. The French couple in the van next to us went out dressed up, presumably to a restaurant. A few hours later OH observed him wander off with a small step ladder from the van, we assume to get his wife, who looked less able, over the wall.