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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,
Tag Archives: wine bar
Carpentras: Grenache Bistro – A Jazzy Wine Shop and Wine Bar for Honing Your Palate on Rhone Valley Vintages
At Le Bistro Grenache in Carpentras, the simpatico owner / sommelier Christian-Paul Peyron knows how to liven up a set, having worked as a location and set manager in the French film industry. For the evening of International Grenache Day on … Continue reading →
Avignon: Mirthful July Evenings of Tasting Sublime Côtes du Rhônes at a Secluded Open Air Wine Bar
The Southern Rhone’s biggest nightly pour in July: for four hours nearly every evening this month you can satiate your palate with a variety of quality Côtes du Rhône wines while quieting your appetite with some eerily delicious charcuterie and … Continue reading →
Tarascon: “MEO” – A Smart Wine Bar With Gastronomic Flair For All Seasons
“I have seen again for a glimpse, from a swift train, Beaucaire with the beautiful white tower, Tarascon with the square castle, the great Rhône, the immense stretches of the Crau.” Ford Maddox Ford, The Good Soldier On his Blackberry … Continue reading →
Carpentras: Chez Serge is a Mecca for Wine Lovers
Along the wine trails of connoisseurs in search of Southern Rhone wines, Chez Serge in Carpentras is legend. When sommelier Serge Ghoukassian opened his eponymous spot as a pizza and wine joint in 1986, it was a heady time when … Continue reading →
Cairanne: Le Tourne au Verre, a Snappy Winemakers Wine Bar
In the Southern Rhone, Cairanne rings cherries, dark cherries that is for its terrific AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages ruby-colored Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah blends from a region where wine has been vinifed for over 300 years. Lacking the quaint … Continue reading →
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 →
L’Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue: Wine Bar Perfect
Where to begin? Grab a chair at a sidewalk table. Order a glass of Chateauneuf Du Pape “Chante Cigale,” a sublime white wine, and before the pour you notice the fine glassware that has been set down at your table. … Continue reading →