Wedged between Rhône and Montagnette, Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues, a small typically Provençal village, can be discovered by those who take the detour. Because yes, you have to take a little detour to meet Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues and its orchard fields, its medieval church, its old wine cellar and, icing on the cake, its liquor maker... Follow me for a gourmet detour to Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues
A liquor maker in Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues
On this winter afternoon, the sky is a beautiful azure blue and the temperature rather mild. I hadn't planned to stop at L'Harmonieux, Robin and Béatrice Raoux's artisanal liqueur makers. It was Laurie Pons, the village mayor, who alerted me as I left the town hall: "Our liqueur maker has set up shop in the square with his still. Take advantage of it! It's not every day." The invitation was tempting. An inevitable gourmet detour to Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargus. A still!?
DEMONSTRATION AND TASTING
About a hundred meters from the town hall, I arrive at Place Georges de Régis, at the crossroads of paths towards Boulbon to the east, Vallabrègues to the west. On a makeshift table is a strange copper device, like an enormous teapot connected to a tank by a pipe. A still… Robin Raoux is making apple alcohol. Amazing. I feel thrown back into an ancient, very distant time, where our ancestors knew how to take time. Because it takes time to distill the fruits which bubble slowly in the pot while letting fruity scents escape. Hours…
THE MEETING OF A PASSIONATE AND AN OPTIMIST
Initially, Robin Raoux experimented at home with making verbena liqueur, "you know, the kind we used to drink at our grandparents' house ." The result was promising. The idea of doing more was already taking root in the mind of his wife, Béatrice. What followed was a long process of applying for a distiller's license, while simultaneously developing and testing the first recipes.
Since 2017, Robin has the status of approved warehouse keeper, that of distiller and therefore of traveling distiller. The couple chose the small village of Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues to launch their business and open a shop.
A SUBTLE BLEND OF AROMATIC AND MEDICINAL PLANTS
To stand out and create originality, Robin and Béatrice select their plants based on the properties they have on our digestive system and combine two flavors: an aromatic plant and a medicinal plant.
You will therefore find at L'harmonieux a range of six products, three of which are permanent and three made each year according to their inspiration.
Chestnut-vanilla, fir-nettle and strawberry-cherry stem await you for the 2024 season. The classic lemon-ginger, mint-mullein and verbena-lemon balm are, without a doubt, worth a little gourmet detour to Saint-Pierre- de-Mézoargues!
! Alcohol abuse is dangerous for health !
PS. Take the opportunity to visit the village church of Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues (open on request at the town hall) or, quite simply, to discover the rejuvenating landscapes of the Saint-Pierrois orchards which will take you gently to 'at L'harmonieux.
Practical information
Meet L'harmonieux for a still workshop on Place Georges de Régis in Saint-Pierre de Mézoargues (13). This workshop is offered free of charge and by appointment (from 5 people).
For more information, contact Robin on 06.19.67.28.10.
By appointment, it is possible to come to the store to discover the range of artisanal liqueurs.
For all other information:
For more details on the events:
Facebook : L’harmonieux – artisanal liqueurs
Instagram : @l.harmonieux
Email : beatrice@lharmonieux.fr (Beatrice)
Phone/text : 0619672810 (Robin)
Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues town hall:
Telephone: 04 90 43 93 42 (every afternoon)