FOOD & WINE IN BRITTANY

With Brittany laying claim to over a third of France’s entire coastline, wonderful fresh fish and seafood dominate the region’s menus. The most easily recognisable dish is the seafood platter, piled high with spiny pink lobster, shrimps and prawns, silver oysters, mussels, crab, scallops and clam. Equally delicious are the sea bass and bream, pollock and skate, grilled or poached, in a white butter sauce made with vinegar and shallots. Another favourite is Cotriade à Bréton variation on the great Provençal dish Bouillabaisse. This hearty fish soup with croutons and cheese is great as a starter or as a midday main meal.

Crèpes are another popular choice for lunch. A savoury galette made from buckwheat and filled with a choice of a combination of cheese, bacon, eggs, mushrooms and onions, is usually followed by a sweet pancake.

These are usually accompanied by a glass of locally made cider or apple juice. Brittany is the only place in France to have its cider recognised like wine as an appellation d’origine controlée (A.O.C.) and it is truly delicious.

The only wine produced in Brittany is Muscadet. This is a dry and fruity white made from the Melon de Bretagne grape; it is an excellent accompaniment to the region’s signature fish and seafood specialities.

The cider here is rightly renowned and there are a number of places to taste and buy Brittany’s best. Uniquely we offer a Headwater Cider Service in this region whereby our reps will pick up and deliver your purchases.