Category Archives: Wine

PROVENCE SUMMER PAIRINGS: A DAUBE PROVENCAL WITH AN AOC VENTOUX SAINT JEAN DU BARROUX BY PHILIPPE GIMEL

A Daube is a slow-cooked red meat stew which calls for marinating the meat, usually beef, for eight hours. Cooked in a “daubière,” this typical Provencal dish is served with pasta and grated cheese along with a sauce made from … Continue reading

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Provence Summer Pairing: Simple is As Simple Can – Tomato Tart with a Vacqueryas Rosé

There is pleasure in the predicable: visiting a castle in Ireland a pig scampers across the hallway; sipping bitter served lukewarm at a London pub, or relaxing in Provence at “l’heure d’apéro,” the late afternoon early evening tradition of taking … Continue reading

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PROVENCE SUMMER PAIRINGS: “LA SOUPE AU PISTOU” AND A FRUITY AOC VENTOUX RED FROM THE CHATEAU UNANG OF JAMES KING

Everyone in Provence has his or her own recipe for the classic Provençal vegetable soup, “La soupe au pistou,” made from a market-fresh assortment of beans, eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini, potatoes and onions along with a small amount of macaroni or … Continue reading

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Provence Summer Pairing: Melon and Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise

For a bracing summer tonic, perk up servings of fruit or fruit tarts with a Muscat de Beaumes de Venise from the AOC Beaumes de Venise. Produced from the Muscat grape, this wine of velvety texture and of moderate sweetness … Continue reading

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NINE NUANCED COLORS OF ROSÉ, THE TYPICAL DRINK AT “L’HEURE DE L’APÉRO” IN PROVENCE

Under the sun-dappled skies of Provence, rosé is the carefree wine that you are preconditioned to order and enjoy. At first sip, everyone approves of whatever rosé is poured into his or her glass. This is a nearly universal phenomena: … Continue reading

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L’Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue: Tastings at Wine Bar Ledixsept Place Au Vin

There is something about the new wine bar Ledixsept Place au Vin in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue that is straightaway cheerful. Like the moment you arrive you recognize the cheerful faces of faithful companions: the wine labels of your fave wineries. Last Monday … Continue reading

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OLIVIER B: BLOGOSPHERE EXPLOSION RESCUES WINE MAKER FROM ABYSS

The logo of a silhouette of a dude sporting an African straw hat from Burkina is now the iconic symbol of every wine maker’s struggles in France. In a New Year’s declaration posted on his blog in early January, Olivier … Continue reading

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Philippe Gimel Reaches Ventoux Summit, with His Wines Mind You

Some things are just predictable in the Vaucluse: Edouard Loubet will receive a third Michelin star, Pierre Cardin will restore edifices to their ancient glory, Michel Leeb will be wearing laceless Chucks, and Philippe Gimel will produce even better red … Continue reading

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RASTEAU FRANCE MEETS DALLAS TX (SORT OF)

As you approach Rasteau, or any of the other wine villages in the northern part of the Vaucluse, the vines cuddle up to the edges of the town as if not even the smallest parcel of land can be left … Continue reading

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LUBERON WINES: ONE-STOP SHOP

Getting around the Luberon appellation for tastings at the far flung wineries can eat up days as well as gas. A good place to begin your research for Luberon wines is at the wine shop and wine bar at the … Continue reading

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