Sideways - wine-tasting & running En France

[Sweder]

Yes, the very same.
I couldn't decide if I prefered the rouge or the blanc, despite intensive testing under various conditions (in the sun, in the shade, in the pool, on the sun lounger, before a meal, after a meal . . .). Our holiday dwelling was in the grounds of one of the regions' finest Pineau producers, so supply was never an issue.

For those unfamiliar with Pineau, it is a blend of so-called inferior wines (in this case Merlot and Cab. Sauv. grapes grown outside the much vaunted Medoc, Jonsac and St Emillion vineyards) and Cognac, forming a most agreeable and quaffable apperatif (or elevenses snifter, or nightcap, or anything in between really). As you say Andy, a regional delight (and one that, I suspect, like many 'holiday drinks', may lose it's allure out of context).

Another 5 miles this morning, though sadly for my legs not the flat, gently winding cinder tracks through the cognac vines and the sunflowers; rather the bone-jarring crunch of the climb to Black Cap and a return to the Sussex downs. 47:15, my slowest for some time. Lots of hard work required to get my hill legs back in action.