Fabien

After a wine-tasting tour at Gaillac yesterday, we called in this morning at our favourite winery, Domaine Sarrabelle, to hike our purchase on this trip to a staggering (well, we will be soon) 120 bottles (should last a few days!).  Our old friend, and co-owner of the vineyard, Fabien, greeted us with his habitual smile, and a complimentary case of rosé for the summer.  Fabien was my first point of contact during research for the book, "The Critic", and became the model for one of the characters (to whom I gave the same name).  My fictitious name for the vineyard in the book was La Croix Blanche.  Shortly after the book was published, Fabien and his brother Laurent acquired a new parcel of vines, the wine from which they labelled "La Croix Blanche".  And a fine wine it is, too.

My extra was taken during my early morning walk today.  One stumbles upon hidden vineyards in every corner of this wonderful Tarn valley.