Food & Drink
Fresh food is the art of rural and urban South West France. Known as the ‘garden of France’, everything is available fresh daily. Nearby markets and supermarkets sell a vast range of locally produced, seasonal fruit and vegetables, meats, fish and cheese. As in the whole of France, the bread is baked at least twice a day. The nearest boulangerie, in Tournon d’Agenais, sells a whole range of baguettes, flutes, pain de campagne and a selection of croissants for that very French breakfast that we all enjoy. Most boulangeries also have a salon de thé where you can enjoy infusions of tea, excellent coffee and be tempted by sumptuous pastries with fruit and crème and confections, often of chocolate, and always a work of art. (Don’t forget to ask for milk with tea and coffee if that is the way you like it.)
Dining with family and friends is always a special event with 3 or 4 courses to tempt the palette. Many restaurants serve a menu du jour at lunch time, always with local specialties offering exceptional value.
The region is renowned for its cuisine with duck, look out for magret du canard (duck breast cooked in a sauce of prunes or cherries) or the salad gourmand, a deliciously dressed fresh green salad with smoked duck breast and fresh walnuts, often served with warm goats cheese on toasted bruschette. Of course foi gras from this region is world famous. Paté du foi gras is served locally and used in many recipes with corn fed chicken and duck.
Other local produce includes plums, the famous Pruneaux d’Agen, strawberries, apricots, melons, walnuts, chestnuts and Marmande tomatoes, tasty for both salads and in cooking.
Local Vineyards
Vineyards form a significant part of the landscape in the Lot et Garonne, bordering Bordeaux the soil and climate produce excellent wines which are sold locally at very reasonable prices. The nearest vineyard to Labarde is a co-operative, Vin du Tsar - it is worth a try and can be bought directly from the vineyard just a few minutes from the cottages.
The region, more famous for reds than whites, produces excellent Bordeaux style wines, Cotes du Duras, Cotes du Marmandais and Buzet are all types to look out for. The most famous of the regions wine is that of the Cahors appelation controlée with vineyards evident every few hundred metres along the route to Cahors. The high, dry, sunny, limestone plateau gives a dark red, full bodied wine, the Auxerrois grape being the principle variety. It is distinctive and best enjoyed at room temperature, with local cheeses, well flavoured meat dishes and good company.
Many vineyards are open to the public, the local people are passionate about their wines and welcome the opportunity to show the wine making process and share the tasting of the end products with visitors.