[ZedsRedBaby]

We're off to France soon for the first time since Brexit. Just wondering if it's worth waiting to get duty free vino from the Eurotunnel terminal at Calais, where the selection isn't usually great, or stocking up at Carrefour as usual, which isn't duty free.

Any thoughts please?

[HeebieJeebies]

Ha! Sorry not having been to Europe since the pandemic and the madness of brexshit, I can’t say for sure, but if you are going anywhere near Saumur, then you essentially can’t go wrong with any of the north or south bank white or reds

[ZedsRedBaby]

Originally Posted by HeebieJeebies

Ha! Sorry not having been to Europe since the pandemic and the madness of brexshit, I can’t say for sure, but if you are going anywhere near Saumur, then you essentially can’t go wrong with any of the north or south bank white or reds

Oh yes - Loire valley is always on the wine list!

[djcowlin]

We've always used French supermarkets (admittedly pre-Br*xit) and have never been disappointed. The choice and value are likely to beat anything on offer at a duty free-focussed outlet.

[ZedsRedBaby]

Originally Posted by djcowlin

We've always used French supermarkets (admittedly pre-Br*xit) and have never been disappointed. The choice and value are likely to beat anything on offer at a duty free-focussed outlet.

Thanks. We decided to stock up at Carrefour and it was the right decision. Loads of choice, good prices (including a surprisingly drinkable Bordeaux for E1.99 which we had last night) and we'll get the VAT refunded.

The duty free offering was, as you say, not great in terms of either choice or value - some very average looking wines at more or less UK supermarket prices.

[djcowlin]

Glad to hear that. My fear is always that the duty free offering is basically what you can buy in UK supermarkets but at a slightly cheaper price, which is perhaps what the target market wants. A local supermarket gives you much more choice in terms of, ahem, local wines.

It's not totally without risk, however. We once turned up at a small-town supermarket in Alsace and told them that we wanted to buy 10 cases of wine off the shelves. They asked us to give them a few hours so that they could manage their stock levels...

[Seaford]

There used to be and hopefully still is a hyper market called Elephant near Calais……..they had mountains of wine AND you could taste before buying…it was sold by the case.

[ZedsRedBaby]

Originally Posted by Seaford

There used to be and hopefully still is a hyper market called Elephant near Calais……..they had mountains of wine AND you could taste before buying…it was sold by the case.

Can't find any info on that one - do you know whereabouts it is/was?

[Seaford]

Originally Posted by ZedsRedBaby

Can't find any info on that one - do you know whereabouts it is/was?

Not really…it was very, very near Calais…some years since I have been. Probably a McDonald’s now.

[ZedsRedBaby]

Originally Posted by Seaford

Not really…it was very, very near Calais…some years since I have been. Probably a McDonald’s now.

OK thanks. Not to worry, I'll be back at Carrefour before too long