Wines and spirits Auvergne

A pioneer of artisanal distillation in the Puy-de-Dôme, the distillery was opened in 2021 in Brassac-les-Mines. Quentin, a Clermont-Ferrand native and distilling oenologist, decided to return to Auvergne after years of apprenticeship in Cognac. He works with local and French products (volcano water, whisky barley...) to create unique, high-quality spirits. No flavoring or sugar is added. The range of spirits is regularly enriched: whisky, gin, rum... The distillery's products can be found in restaurants, wine shops and online.

Gérard Mondon left the hotel business over 30 years ago to pursue his passion for fine wines. His nephew Raphaël shares the same passion, and together they offer the finest French vineyards for sale, with a fine selection of wines and champagnes. On the spirits side, the cellar is particularly well-stocked with whiskies, but also with some very interesting old cognacs. In addition to the wide choice of references, the excellent advice and the warm welcome, there are also numerous events throughout the year.

It was in 2016 that Laurent Dartère, who runs the grocery store in Saint-Donat, had the idea to create the Gentiane de l'Abbaye. This local artisanal liqueur has been a great success. Since then, other liqueurs have been created, all made from local products: the blueberry-chestnut liqueur or the "potion du bougnat", a mixture of fresh verbena, fresh lemon mint and fresh gentian roots. Of course, the producer is present every year in Picherande on the occasion of the great European Gentian Festival.

It's not always easy to choose a bottle of wine, whether for yourself, for a dinner party or as a gift. Here, Corinne and Thierry Crépin, wine merchants, offer a smiling welcome and invaluable advice. The selection includes wines produced by independent French winegrowers. Loire, Côtes d'Auvergne, Côtes de Bordeaux, Languedoc: quality and flavor are the order of the day. Tastings are organized on a regular basis. The boutique is enhanced by a selection of spirits, as well as a delicatessen corner where you can put together an entire aperitif.

Charles, Océane and Johan have set up their store in a former jewelry store. You can see it as soon as you walk through the door: the old shop windows have remained. But the rings and bracelets have been replaced by bottles of wine. The three associates offer a made-to-measure selection. Here, nothing is left to chance. They visit the domains to choose the ones that will integrate the store. The boutique's offer is completed by a range of accessories, craft beers, gift boxes... Here, we will be able to advise you and guide you in your choice.

Founded in 1908, Maison Couderc is a recipe for success with gentian alcohol, the emblematic plant of the Auvergne mountains. It is the last independent distillery in the Cantal. Its shop offers the house products, in particular the gold-coloured Couderc gentian, but also a very wide range of liqueurs, spirits and wines. Its large bay windows also reveal a beautiful section of delicatessen and good regional products. This is normal, as the owner is an epicurean.

A wine merchant from generation to generation, Guy Marcon in turn passes on his know-how and secrets to his children. Very professional, they are not stingy with their knowledge - and they have a lot of it. The region's restaurateurs call on them to study their wine list as fervent defenders of the wines of the Languedoc and the Rhone Valley, associating typical and original wines with the various dishes of these establishments. Don't hesitate to go down to the tasting cellar, which is very convivial and houses some great wines.

Founded in the ^mid-19th century, Distillerie Génestine will rise from the ashes in 2021 thanks to Sébastien Jolivet. Its flagship product is a reinterpretation of the liqueur Le Gaulois. Now an Italian-style vintage vermouth in the ^21st century, it is accompanied by a new range of spirits: a jet 31 with organic peppermint, a limoncello with the taste of lemon leaves, a pastis with gentian, not forgetting 1845 Elixir, made from 80 plants and spices. The bottles proudly bear the figure of Vercingétorix, as imagined by Auguste Bartholdi.

A beautiful shop to discover in the heart of Saint-Flour. Don't try to trap Thomas Viaud on a grape variety or a vintage, it's almost impossible because the man is so passionate. So let yourself be carried away by his advice to accompany your dishes or embellish your invitations. Depending on the situation, your desires or your tastes, he will offer you beautiful surprises without any preconceived ideas about this or that region. On the wooden shelves, small producers rub shoulders with the big houses. The Cave du Palais also offers a very good choice of whiskies and... teas.

Founded by two friends in professional reconversion, Mélody Humbert and Maxime Bejot, who have become self-taught brewers, the microbrewery has already made a good place for itself on the shelves already full of beers from Auvergne. Blonde, IPA, Stout, Pale Ale, and even some original and ephemeral productions, are available in organic stores, in some bars and restaurants, on markets, but also in direct sales. To distinguish the brand, follow the origami bird that decorates the bottles! Inside, you will find only the essential ingredients for making a beer, from organic farming. This true ethical choice gives an additional flavor.

The Maison Desprat has been associated with a passion for wine since 1885. Pierre Desprat, with his two daughters Léa and Lucie, continues the family adventure and makes it a point of honour to advise and help people discover the wines of the Auvergne volcanic soil. To do this, a wide range of wines is offered in his shop. Alongside the local beverages, we find all the French and foreign wine regions. Beer, spirits and local aperitifs are also presented. A corner dedicated to delicatessen completes the offer.

David works on the family estate to offer a fine range of wines. For tasting, he offers Volcanik, a 100% Gamay red, with notes of Morello cherry and a subtle peppery finish, made from century-old vines grown on basalt soil. He also produces red, white and rosé cuvées called Les Fesses, a funny name that simply comes from the locality of the same name where the grapes grow. A prestige cuvée, aged in oak barrels, is also available. You're sure to find something to please your guests!