In praise of Le P'tit Bio, Maubec.

In the titchy village of Maubec near Oppede le Vieux in the Luberon there is a tiny grocery called 'Le P'tit bio.'

 

 

 

   

It's one of those places where it looks as if they have not much but in fact they have everything. Mangos? Sure - fresh or dried?

Of course everthing is Bio as the name suggests.

 

There is an adorable couple, Julie and Vincent who own and run the place. Their excellent English they say was learned by watching 'The Crown' to which they became addicted. If you think we're suffering from holiday-euphoria, take a look at some of the rave reviews satified customers have posted on Facebook;

Très accueillant, de très bons produits mais aussi la livraison qui est très pratique.... Merci Julie et Vincent pour vos conseils...

Super accueil et très sympathique, des fruits et légumes de très bonne qualité, quel bonheur de pouvoir manger des produits sains et délicieux!!!
Je recommande fortement

Qualité des produits très bonne et accueil exceptionnel

Super accueil, supers produits, excellents conseils et bonnes découvertes !

D’excellents produits bio à des prix très raisonnables et cerise sur le gâteau des conseils avisés des deux propriétaires passionnés sympathiques et souriants. Je recommence absolument et je fréquente assidûment. J’ai trouvé mon magasin 

Très contente d’avoir ce petit producteur bio sur la commune : très accueillants et pleins de conseils, des beaux produits, j’ai hâte d’essayer les jus avec les feuilles de patates douces riches en vitamines...

There are any number of similar testimonials but none of them mentions the wine that can be found at Le P'Tit Bio. Strange because the choice is exceptional if you like your wine bio.

We were particularly intrigued by natural wines made locally by Domaine Val de Combrès. Vincent told us this really was a local operation. He actually takes part in the vendange and winemaking. We are guests of dear friends in the area on an annual basis and have watched the wines from the Luberon go from obscurity to a supermarket near you but we had never heard of Domaine Val de Combrès. 

We immediately bought 'Ghost in ze bottle' because it is made from the Gros Vert grape. This is indeed a rarity in wine because Gros Vert is actually a dessert grape. There is a grey area between dessert grapes and wine grapes. Basically there aren't many wine grapes worth eating and not many dessert grapes worth making wine with but wine is made from those in the middle. This example was so delicious that we went back to Le P'tit Bio and bought another bottle plus

a bottle of red called Ivresse des Profondeurs from 45% Grenache, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Syrah and the remaining 15% unspecified. Delicious.

The third wine was called 'La tempete Eparpouille', a blanc de noirs (100% Grenache noir).

The Domaine Val de Combrès is characterised as follows;

Artisanal winemaker, production of organic, natural, sulfite-free wines in native yeasts. Established in 2013 on 4 hectares, the cultivation is organic and biodynamic in animal traction. Artisanal production (about 10000 bottles/year) of natural wines without sulphites, with only the yeast of the grapes. All 3 colors are produced.

Amazing to have them as your local winemakers and for sale at your local 'Le P'tit Bio.'