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PROVENCE: GEOGRAPHY MATTERS
“Provence” has more efficacy as a "brand" than as a place. One rarely if ever hears any residents of the Vaucluse say that they live in "Provence." The word is heard frequently in its adjectival form: provençal.
As geography, the term "Provence" suffers abuse. The French consider contemporary 'Provence' to take in three administrative department:
- Vaucluse
- Bouches-du-Rhône
- Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Confusion pops up due to the administrative region PACA: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
When "Provence" is employed for the department of the Var (Toulon, St, Tropez) or the department of the Alpes-Maritime (Côte d'Azur) or even the five departments of the Languedoc-Roussillon, it is the "brand" asserting itself.
This is a regional distinction that Peter Mayle buys into 100% in his book Provence A-Z. In fact, if Mayle had been 'geographically-correct,' his iconic best seller would have been titled "A Year in the Luberon."
The Luberon and the Comtat Venaissin, referred to as the “Comtat,” are the two large regions within the Vaulcuse,
Author Archives: BB Kuett
“DOMINIQUE STRAUSS-KAHN: IN SIX WORDS OR LESS?” SUPPOSEDLY ABBREVIATED SENTIMENTS
PVB poses the following query to residents in France: “Dominique Strauss-Kahn: In six words or less?” Here are the supposedly abbreviated sentiments: “MOI, J’AIME LES FEMMES. SEXE MANIAQUE” “I LOVE WOMEN. SEX MANIAC.” Ben, artist, St.-Remy-de-Provence, July 10 … Continue reading
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
WSJ MAGAZINE OUT WITH A BRACING TONIC ON PIERRE CARDIN AND HIS PASSION FOR LACOSTE
In his book “Henri Cartier-Bresson : a biography,” Pierre Assouline reveals how Cartier Bresson envisioned himself as a ‘thief’ by capturing people in private and public moments and then fleeing with these “stolen images” that one would reproduce for display … Continue reading
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
LACOSTE REPOTTED: A DECIDEDLY ANGLOPHONE FLORA; AN ART STUDENT SLEEPOVER A WITH PRETTY VIEW
Fact or Fiction? The village of Lacoste has 450 residents as noted in an August 2009 article penned by a reporter from the Paris bureau of the New York Times (NYT). True or False? Referencing the same piece, in the … Continue reading
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
AP’ART FESTIVAL SET FOR 2011; SO WHY IS IT A PERFECT DISH ON REGION’S FESTIVAL MENU?
Consider this artistic assignment: grab a box of coloring crayons along with a map of the southern Rhone region and color in concentric circles around each town that hosts a summer festival, choosing a different color for each category of … Continue reading
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
PHILIP HUGHES: THE LIGHT OF THE LUBERON
From his house in Ménerbes, the British painter Philip Hughes infuses his canvases with the searing light of the Luberon, illuminating the contrasts of the rich verdant valley nestled among impassioned rugged mountains. His landscapes are inspired by the soothing … Continue reading