My company just acquired a new company in Albi France and I went down there last week for an initial visit. We went to a nice restaurant called La Table du Sommelier. They have a nice wine list but they also allow you select foods and pair them with wines or get a chef’s dinner where you have a blind tasting on the wines the chef selected.

What I really liked about the dinner is that one of the other people had a glass of Banyuls for dessert. Banyuls is made in a style similar to port but the predominant grape is Grenache. I had a Grand Cru wine so that must be 75% Grenache and age in oak for at least 30 months. It was delicious. I don’t think I’ll every order port again if there is a Banyuls on the menu.

I can’t wait to get back to Albi for another tasting.