Number one on my shopping list will be wines on this upcoming short trip. Number two will be art items, fabric items or other "little anythings" in the home decor arena - - so if there is a wineseller in the general vicinity of any such stuff, then all the better.

Will separately ask a similar question about Hondarribia/San Sebastian or other destinations in the Pais Vasco (Spain) - - as acknowledged elsewhere, we have still not decided if we are going to go there or not.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Best wishes,

Rex

One thing you should bring back from a local moulin is the walnut oil, a great dressing for salads with fruit but NO, NOT FRY with it or keep it a long time. Another specialty are the cocoa brushed walnuts, heavenly!!!
Try th waalnut apertif!

Thanks, mimi...

... on another thread, "wren" made mention of walnut liqueur being a memorable part of a stay at http://www.residence-versailles.com - - in, or near Beynac.

There is <i>eau de noix</i> and <i>vin de noix</i>; the latter is about 17% alcohol, the former from 25% to 30%. For wine, I would try the wine institute in Bergerac, right by the river. They have a tasting room and a larger variety than individual vintners. I saw a small wine bar/shop in the old town of P&eacute;rigueux, but I could not tell you exactly where.

Thanks, Michael for the lead... just a little bit of searching took me to the web page with these four listings:

http://www.pays-de-bergerac.com/engl...sp#WINE%20NEWS

Rex:

Leave Beynac heading for La Roque-Gageac. Go under the RR overpass and turn right.Go about a 1/2 mile and make the right turn toward Castelnaud. About 1/4 mile on your right, across from a pottery store, is a small warehouse-looking structure that sells every kind of artisanal product of the region - wines (you can do tastings any time of day), liqueurs, vin de noix, vin de p&ecirc;che, confitures, foie gras products, etc. There is a similar place in Les Eyzies, in the same building as the Cr&eacute;dit Agricole, right on the (only) main street. Problem is, I don't know how late in the season these places are open. I know they were open the last week in September in 2004, so I'm guessing they'll be there.

All the markets will feature &quot;boutique&quot; wine sellers, also, and you can taste at any market. Sarlat has an exceptional number of specialty wine stores. In the old quarter of P&eacute;rigueux there are also several. You'll never be more than a few minutes away from a great selection of wines.

Keep in mind also that at any Intermarch&eacute; or LeClerc or other supermarket you can pick up a terrific bottle of St-Emilion or Carhors or whatever at a fraction of the price you'd pay back home.

Once again, very, very useful answer - - thank you very much - - and yes, I know about how excellent wines at excellent prices can be found at ordianry supermarkets.

I should have clarified that I guess I am seeking a combination &quot;wine bar&quot; plus store... that <i>tasting</i> from a variety of different producers (even if expected to buy the bottles first to be able to taste from them) is what I seek - - and even more importantly... <i>guidance</i> from the proprietor, with enough knowledge to say... &quot;okay, if you liked that one, then I bet you will like this one&quot;.

I'm trying to get past the days when I brought home 12 different bottles, bought on the basis of &quot;interesting labels&quot; - - and each one was a surprise when I eventually opened it. I now view it to be a success to go into a shop, taste 4, 8 or 12 wines... identify one that I really like, and purchase 3, 4 or even 6 bottles of it, knowing what it tastes like, and be able to remember how I came to choose it.

Sounds like I will have lots of possibilities for doing that. I have no familiarity with any Bergerac or Monbazillac or Pecharmant wines at all.

Always a learning experience!

Rex: St circ's suggestion that you try the local markets is a good one. At St. Cyprien, for example, there must be at least a dozen wine producers, from whom you can sample and buy. The wines of the region are excellent. Don't forget to get some Monbazillac to go with your foie gras.

Thanks, lav...

Should we anticipate that Saturday markets will be mostly morning only? We will likely not arrive in Perigueux until 1 pm Saturday... if we press straight on, we could be in Beynac or St Cyprien by 2? Or should we just go ahead and enjoy Perigueux?

The Perigueux market will just about be finished by 1pm. St. Cyprien's market is on Sunday morning, if that helps.

Markets open about 8 am and start shutting down at noon. Some vendors hang around until about 1. So you'll miss the P&eacute;rigueux market (and the Sarlat one and the Le Bugue one). But St-Cyprien and Beynac aren't 2 hours from P&eacute;rigueux - you can be there in an hour, not that it matters if what you're aiming for is a market. The market in St-Cyprien on Sundays is a big one - get there early if you want a parking spot close by.

I understood that StC/Beynac aren't 2 hrs from Perigueux - - I said arrive Perigueux at 1, or press on to the Dordogne (river) by 2.

But great news to hear that StC has a Sunday morning market!