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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
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
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
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
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
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
TERROIR REDUX: THE VARIETAL WHITE WINES OF NIELS LA COUR
If you are a wine lover in search of a startling discovery and great pleasure, take a few sips of the white wines of the Domaine le Serre de Condorcet (DSC) — rich, fragrant and complex vintages of golden hues … Continue reading
LUBERON: FIVE WINNING WINERIES
The Luberon wine appellation is in a sense the orphan of the Vaucluse. The private estates, which account for only twenty percent of the appellation’s production, do not attract the attention of wine raters that is accorded the other wine … Continue reading