Cahors Wine Festival

An event not to be missed!!! An evening full of ambiance, fantastic bands and lots of free wine.

By accident rather than design, we didn't arrive at the tiny village of Albas until just after 5pm but it was the ideal time to get there. The Wine Festival started at 10am but the bands didn't start playing until 5pm. The action took place the lenght of the 'main street' (as you can see) with a total of 9 Vignerons offering free wine. We had to pay 13 euros to get in to the festival but you got a glass with this so that you could keep getting it topped up whenever you wanted.

Each wine producer was based in a small 'Cave' and each cave had a band playing (although some perhaps had a rota, we're not sure!)

There was a large selection of types of music on offer, from Trad jazz, through Blues, Modern jazz, Folk to Accapella (? unaccompanied singing). For us the best band of the evening were called (translated) 'The Mystery of the Elephants' who were a cabaret as well as brilliant musicians!

We decided that we'd better have something to eat to soak up the booze, but then, about half past six it began to drizzle, gradually turning to rain. This was a shame as it had been really nice, wandering up and down the 'strip' with a glass in your hand! However the rain wasn't stopping the arrival of a lot more, albeit younger, people. So, at about 8 we left, and Sue drove home (wasn't she good?). I had been pre-warned that you would need a tee-total driver, as, the longer the night went on, the more Police presence there was.

Unfortunately therefore, we missed the full evening's entertainment, and a bowl of French Onion Soup which was to be given out from 11pm onwards until the finish at 1am

All in all we had a great evening, heard some really good musicians, and found one REALLY nice wine, so we now know where to take anyone wanting to buy good wine.