The news here has a story of how in France there has been a 30% increase in le binge drinking and a government crackdown is being planned on bars offering "all-the_alcohol-you-can-guzzle" deals. "The French youth are drinking like their northern European counterparts" a spokeswoman for the French government was heard to say. Any juicy stories of over indulging you'd care to share other than the one where Andy just says "mea culpa" and thinks she's asking for another drink...

Wouldn't that be "filla mea culpa" (preferably with Jack Daniels)?

Ha, so me planning a bit of a vineyard in the wilds of Brittany could be a wise plan methinks.

Got hops in the hedge as well, so looking promising there too. Plus, sloes, dandelions, vegetable clippings, bark chippings and some dubious looking dead plants growing in the greenhouse which can be turned into wine no problemo.

Remember an old mate (dead now, cirrohsis no doubt) saying:

"A master of his trade can make good wine out of old socks".

Shan't be trying that one, we need the socks, old or not ..........

think you might be better off planting apple trees for cider and Calvados in Brittany Andy - unless you are thinking of making ice wine

Aha, now you have answered my unwritten question - is Brittany suitable for any type of wine growing. I did wonder, as I was presuming the climate might be a bit dodgy. Cider apples eh? Sounds a bit nice that, always enjoyed the odd glass of Woodpeckers (not real woodpeckers before the Animal Police jump on me, that nice sweet cider stuff). There seem to be quite a few fruit trees already there, can't tell till the leaves come out what they are, so we might already have some, but if not, will find some and plant them. There is a huge greenhouse, and I suspect there would be room for a couple in there - something very large and climbing has died in there already, so looks promising again - well, not that its dead, but that it was living in there long enough to get big before it died if you get my drift!

Was never successful making wine - Chateau Andrea was more like Shitto Andrea to be frank, so will focus on beer and cider I think. What fun! Hope there are plenty of brave souls on here who will drop by to sample me vintage! (bring a paintbrush and if you got one, a chainsaw ....)

What do I need the chainsaw for? (Got two by the way, the new one, SuzieQ really zips)
Blackie

I think somebody's keeping these deals on the quiet. Costs me 6 or 7 euros for a pint - it's obscene!

...Gav,you need to move near me,scary thought I know...my large bucket of red in me local is 60 cents

Damn, where do you live?! 60cents.
It's as cheap as anything from the supermarkets, but pop into a bar or pub and the prices are shocking!

I live near Lisbon...a bottle of Sagres (National beer, is 70 cents here 5.2%)

Is there a Lisbon in France? I only know Lisbon Portugal; I'm catching a connecting flight there in a month to chill out in Madeira for a few days. Hopefully their tarifs are a little more respectable in the bars. Sagres is Porteguese right?

Sorry,I thought you knew I lived in Portugal.
Not been to Madeira,but everyone says it's beautiful.Dunno what their prices are like 'tho.

Sorry Cleri, I didn't know - well obviously I do now, I'd just assumed you were in France.
I've literally just booked my flights now - can't wait!

Nah,I'm a random interloper
I'm sure you will have a great time

Hi Cleri, We were on the Azores (no puns please) for a coupla weeks over New Year a few years ago, abfab I've got to say, but I've never been to mainland Portugal. Madeira is really fantastic, cliffs and no beaches, so hardly any screaming kids...
Take care
Blackie

I've heard the Azores are stunning,a couple of my Portuguese friends had their honeymoon there.
Parts of mainland Portugal are fabulous,just avoid the tourist trap of some of the resorts in Algarve