We spent five wonderful days in Dijon, and took our time driving around to some of the vineyards and wineries of the burgundy area. There were so many places to visit, and so many things to do that of course five days wasn’t enough, and we’re going to “have” to go back. This is an [...]
After getting back from Paris, we took a drive into the French countryside to see if we could find the grape pickers picking the grapes that will go into the best provencal wines. Le vendage as it’s called takes place for about three weeks – and it’s a race to empty the vines before the beginning of the rainy season, which starts any time after the 15th of the month. We lucked out and found a small vineyard with the workers carefully cutting the plump purple Mourvedre grapes.
I love summer here on the French Riviera – because there are some really fabulous parties we get to go to… Like being invited by French Navy admiral Bertrand Aubriot to a cocktail party and concert aboard the “Charles de Gaulle” aircraft carrier.
The motto of the French Navy is Honneur, Patrie, Valeur, Discipline (”Honour, Fatherland, Valour, Discipline”). These words [...]
The third Thursday in November of every year is a very special day for wine tasters all over the world – but especially for those of us living here in France!
Why? Because it marks the launch of the Beaujolais Nouveau.
What is the Beaujolais Nouveau you ask?
It’s a celebration of the official release [...]
Sadly the first thing on our schedule this morning was a funeral. Friends of ours’ father passed away at age 96. He went quietly in his sleep, and he had a good life, so I guess you can’t ask for more than that. Alain had been asked to play the organ during the funeral, which [...]
Mushroom hunting here in France (and in Italy, I’m told) is a serious hobby. In fact, there are (depending on who you ask) between 120 and 3000 different varieties of mushrooms here in France and since the season starts in Autumn, it’s a favorite pastime of many people, young and old alike.
Does it surprise you [...]
Do you remember a song from “The Sound of Music” called “A Few of My Favorite Things”? Well, in my case one of my favorite things is being able to eat hot, delicious chestnuts that have just been roasted on an open fire – like the Christmas song! Chestnut season heralds the beginning of fall season, and it’s just one of the specialties of the French Riviera that I love about this time of year and living here…
Did you know that there are more than 500 French cheeses? (No, that’s not a typo – I said over 500!) Which means that you could try almost 2 different cheeses every day for a year – and not eat the same cheeses twice! Isn’t that amazing? You should see the grocery stores – at our local Carrfour – think a Smith’s, Albertson’s or Walmart – and imagine two aisles – that run from the front of the store to the back – full of cheeses – plus a delicatessen that also offers up more specialized cheeses! It’s an amazing thing to behold, let me tell you! So why was I shocked to discover that some of my favorite cheeses were about to lose their very special AOC label?
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