Enclave: a sensory stroll through black diamond country
A fragment of Vaucluse nestled in the heart of the Drôme department, Enclave is a gastronomic mecca. Renowned for its Côtes du Rhône wines, of course, but also for the black diamond that tantalizes the senses: the Tuber Melanosporum, or black winter truffle. Why not join us in discovering this exceptional mushroom?
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Stop #1: A stroll through the truffle fields of Valréas
The roadtrip begins in Valréas, the main town in the Enclave region. It's here that you'll take your first steps towards discovering the exceptional mushroom that makes gourmets' eyes shine: the black truffle. Tuber Melanosporum is a temperamental mushroom that has to be earned: it can only be cultivated by acquiring very specific know-how, and can only be unearthed by meticulously training a dog. Truffles encourage us to sharpen our senses: we smell them, touch them, look at them and, finally, taste them.
To introduce you to the art of truffling, the Lumian et Bonnefoy estate in Valréas offers outings dedicated to the black diamond. Alongside Gilles and Caroline, you'll enjoy a 100% truffle meal and head out into the truffle fields for an astonishing cavage experience. Truffle dogs will work before your very eyes, while your hosts will reveal the secrets of the mushroom and its cultivation.
->Good to know:
If you've fallen under the spell of the estate's charm and you're traveling by motorhome, you can park your vehicle overnight in the dedicated motorhome area before setting off the next day for the second leg of your trip.
Stop #2: Enter the truffle legend at Richerenches
Get ready to enter the Mecca of truffles! Richerenches is undeniably the capital of the black diamond. Every Saturday morning from mid-November to mid-March, this medieval village, with its four-tower wall and 12th-century Knights Templar commandery, hosts the most famous truffle market. Open to private individuals, but especially popular with professionals who negotiate the Tuber Melanosporum in expert conciliabula, the weekly Richerenches market is a spectacle in itself.
A visit to the Musée de la truffe et du vin, housed in the vaulted rooms of the Templar commandery, is not to be missed. The interactive, educational tour allows visitors to discover these two local treasures. And the little bonus? Admission is free!
-> Extra info:
If you're lucky enough to be visiting the Enclave des Papes on the third Sunday in January, don't miss the annual truffle festival in Richerenches! On the menu: consecrated mass, walks, presence of truffle growers, tastings...
Stop #3: Wine and truffle pairings in Visan
At the very southern end of the Enclave, you'll make a final stop at Visan, papal stronghold since 1344 and a stronghold overlooking the green plain. Visan boasts mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries, ramparts and monumental gates. Climb up to the highest point, Place Humbert II, from where you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
And to take the experience a step further, try the “Truffles and Good Bottles” weekend. With a market, a culinary workshop, dinner in a restaurant and an overnight stay in a Provencal hotel, the program concocted by the tourist office will take you away for a 100% truffle weekend. Your stay ends at the Domaine de Costechaude, where the cellar master shares his passion for vines and wine-making. A tasting of his best vintages awaits you after the visit to round off this gourmet escapade in style.
