Chablis Tasting and Supper at Andaz Studio: Suppers involving wine tasting have a recurring end result for me. My notes at the start of the evening are comprehensive and precise. By the time the cheese is served I’m in free-fall and anything after that is gone with the wind…an abstract scrawl in my notebook that […]
Classic Coq Au Vin Recipe
Coq Au Vin – A Classic Recipe from my Childhood: Now I’m well past my forties, I’ve become a firm believer that fifty is the new twenty. Despite that, I increasingly find myself spotting things that were significantly different when I was growing up. There are certain foods which really seem to have changed in terms […]
Champagne Revisited – an Introduction to the Champagne Region in France
Exploring the Vineyards and Wineries of Champagne – Wine Tourism in France: Remember gentlemen, it’s not just France we are fighting for, it’s Champagne! Winston Churchill Introduction to Champagne and the Champagne Region The British love for all things bubbly is undisputed. We are still the largest export market for champagne by volume (although we are […]
Everything is coming up Rosy – How to celebrate National Rosé Day
Is Crab and Fennel Risotto the perfect pink wine pairing? Are you one of those people who says, “I don’t like rosé”? Maybe an early experience with a sweet Portuguese rose or even the awful White Zin has stopped you venturing into this increasingly popular wine type. Did you know that in Greek and Roman […]
A Love Story, Asparagus and Grenache Gris
Asparagus, Pancetta and Quail Eggs paired with Grenache Gris. Who doesn’t love a bit of romance? The story of Domaine Jones, of an English woman who went out to work in the South of France in the 1990s and, after running the local wine co-operative in Mont Tauch went on not only to buy a […]
Thai Fish Curry – Dourthe sets the bar high in Bordeaux.
Dourthe Wines from Bordeaux and a Thai Red Fish Curry: It’s always fun to try new wines and play with food pairings. So I was thrilled to be sent a selection of Dourthe wines from Bordeaux to do just that. I’m particularly pleased with my pairing of a white Bordeaux with a Thai Red Fish […]
Wines from Berry Bros. & Rudd to try this Christmas
Wines Pairings for Christmas from Berry Bros. & Rudd: What do you do when you are working out what wines to buy for Christmas? It’s a time of year when you really want something a little bit special – and yet, there is such a range of food to think about, it can be hard […]
Barge Holiday and River Cruise – Burgundy, France with Great Rail Journeys
Diary of a French Barge Holiday: Looking for a relaxing way to explore the waterways of France? A barge holiday is the perfect slow-travel solution. Unlike larger river cruises, a typical Great Rail Journeys barge cruise will have no more than 20 passengers, offering you an intimate and personal experience at a comfortable pace. Join me […]
Perrier-Jouët – A Love Story
A visit to the Perrier-Jouët Cellars in Epernay: If Mumm is the champagne for sporting heroes, the other champagne house in the Pernod Ricard portfolio, Perrier-Jouët is the beautiful, romantic heroine waiting for her prince. Perrier-Jouët has a long-standing association with the Arts and throughout our visit, we were constantly surprised by the works of art hidden […]
A Foraged Feast at Hotel Benvengudo.
Building Tradition with Terroir – Hotel Benvengudo: One of the highlights of my last visit to Provence was a trip to Brantes to go foraging with Les Aventurières du Goût . So, I am well aware of the wealth of edible plants and flowers growing in the region. Hotel Benvengudo, though, is a fabulous four-star hotel […]