Jill Barth is a well-known wine writer whose work has been featured in Decanter, Forbes, USA Today, and elsewhere. She recently wrote an article on wine-related holiday traditions around the world: Italy, France, Argentina, and elsewhere. She consulted experts about each country and I was thrilled that she contacted me as the French expert!
Here’s her fun article, just perfect for the holiday season.
My new book is out! Are We French Yet? is available at Amazon!
Congratulations! A French person has invited you to their home for dinner. That’s a rare honor and you should be thrilled. But now you wonder, should I bring a gift with me? What should it be? You definitely don’t want to spoil the moment by making a faux pas.
Learn all about what to do and not do at Frenchly!
One of the pleasures of any trip to Provence is the food, and the region is full of wonderful restaurants. My wife and I live part of the year in St-Rémy-de-Provence and enjoy exploring new places to eat. I’ve made a list of some of our favorites in and around St-Rémy–you can read all about them at Perfectly Provence!
Nice is one of the most beautiful cities in France, nestled by the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Founded by the Greeks long ago, it has changed hands many times since—for centuries it was part of the Duchy of Savoy, then part of France, then part of the Kingdom of Sardinia in Italy, before finally joining France again in 1860. The city’s cuisine reflects its French and Italian origins, especially those of the nearby regions of Provence and Liguria.
One of the highlights of any visit to Nice is the chance to enjoy some of its delicious dishes. Read about five of my favorites at The Good Life France.
The US and France are temperamentally different countries, one brash and exuberant and the other the epitome of sophistication. You can see this in American movies—think of all those American car chases and explosions. And in French books—is there anything more elegant than Proust and his madeleines? The differences even show up in sandwiches—Americans are unruly while the French are refined. Let’s look at a few of these deli duels.
Read all about it at Frenchly!
The New York Times called Chocolat Bonnat, “The best chocolate we had ever eaten.”
Noted food writer David Lebovitz said, “There was an explosion of flavor like I’d never experienced before.”
Is this the best chocolate in the world? Read all about it at The Good Life France.
My wife Val and I spend part of each year in Provence and it’s allowed us to learn the language and appreciate French culture. We knew before we moved there that food and wine are a big part of French life but we didn’t realize quite how big until our neighbor Fabienne gave us a “taste” of real French life. She invited us to her birthday party, which went on and on and on…
Read my funny story about a real French birthday party at A French Collection.
French wine is delicious, but it can be intimidating…and expensive! What to do?
Here’s a friendly introduction to French wines–how to read the label, how to pronounce the names, what they taste like. All of these wines are easy on the budget and widely available.
Check it out at Frenchly!
“Every day my cooking has to be great.”
That’s Emmanuel Billaud, the owner and chef at Le Clos Saint Roch in Maussane-les-Alpilles, a charming town near St-Rémy. He once won the award for “best-value” restaurant in Paris and has now opened a delightful place in Provence.
If you want a great meal at a great price, be sure to check it out! You can read all about it at Perfectly Provence.
I was diagnosed two years ago with celiac disease, which is a severe gluten intolerance. No more croissants, baguettes and pain au chocolat — bummer! But life goes on and there are still plenty of wonderful things to eat.
Having become experts on eating gluten-free in both France and the US, my wife Val and I were interviewed recently by The Celiac Project. We talked about shopping for food, eating in restaurants, and tips on things to look for and things to avoid. If you know someone with a gluten problem, they might find the interview helpful. It’s 30 minutes long and you can listen to it here.
I’ve also written an article about eating gluten-free in France, which you can find here.
Bon appétit !