Tag Archives: Food and Wine

Cavaillon’s Melons Achieve Elite Status

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After a complicated process that took eight long years, the European Commission finally granted the Melon de Cavaillon its coveted IGP designation. IGP laws (Indication Géographique Protégée) mean that only products from a certain geographic area, following strict rules, can carry the label. It guarantees quality and authenticity for the consumer and means higher prices for the producers.

First brought to France by the Avignon Popes, and a favorite of Alexandre Dumas, Cavaillon’s melons are among the best in the world. Val and I enjoy them every chance we get, as Cavaillon is just up the road from St-Rémy. You definitely have to try them when you are in Provence.

Read all about this local speciality in Perfectly Provence!

A Favorite Restaurant Near St-Rémy

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Just over the hill from St-Rémy sits Maussane-les-Alpilles, a charming village that Val and I go to often. One of the main reasons is a great little restaurant, L’Oustaloun, that serves excellent food. And the service is outstanding! As one of the owners says, “We love our clients and treat them like honored guests.”

All the dishes are homemade (my favorite is the timbaline–so good!) and you can either sit outside on the town square or inside in the charming dining room with its stone walls. Don’t miss L’Oustaloun when you are in the area!

Read all about this excellent restaurant in Perfectly Provence!

Gluten-Free in France

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A growing number of people have trouble eating gluten. For many, it’s an intolerance and makes them uncomfortable when they eat gluten. For others like me, who have celiac disease, it’s a serious medical condition that requires constant vigilance.

I often get asked how I manage a gluten-free life in France, the country with some of the best bread in the world (yes, I miss croissants.) I’ve put together some of my hard-earned knowledge in an article that covers shopping, dining, and more. You might want to pass it along to someone you know who has trouble with gluten and is considering a trip to France.

Read all about it in Frenchly!

 

My Favorite Winery

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Nestled among vineyards near the village of Gigondas sits Notre Dame des Pallières, a family-run winery specializing in the wines of the southern Rhône. Val and I go every year to stock up, and we’ve never been disappointed.

I first discovered their wines over 20 years ago in California. They were so good and so reasonably priced that Val and I sought out the winery when we started living in Provence. We’ve been back ever since, and in the meantime the winemaking has passed from the 4th generation of the Roux family to the 5th!

For anyone interested in delicious wines that are not very expensive, either in France or the US, these are definitely bottles to search out.

Real all about this gem of a winery in Perfectly Provence!

A Seaside Lunch on Provence’s Côte Bleue

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Whenever Val and I get a taste for great seafood, we head south to the little port town of Niolon. It’s just a few miles west of Marseille but could be in another world.

The town is built around a small calanque, a kind of tiny fjord that opens onto the Mediterranean Sea. There are boats bobbing in the water and beautiful views of Marseille and the rugged coastline.

We always head for La Pergola, a restaurant with fabulous views and even better food. There’s nothing like eating fresh seafood and looking out at the sea from whence it came. And if we don’t feel like driving all the way to the coast, we can catch the train not far from St-Rémy and enjoy the view as we roll along.

Read all about Niolon and La Pergola in Perfectly Provence!

Everything You Need to Know About French Butter

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Butter is one of the glories of French cuisine. It’s a key ingredient in those flaky pastries and lighter-than-air croissants we love so much. And is there anything better than a smear of French butter on a slice of crusty baguette?

But why is it so good?

Lucky me, I was asked by the French butter association (yes, there is such a thing) to write about French butter. They even offered to send me a bunch of samples. What could I say but yes?

Now I know all about French butter and why it is so good. I even organized a butter tasting to compare it to American butter (spoiler alert: the French win.)

Read all about it in Frenchly!

What Do They Call It?

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If you’ve been to France, you’ve probably had a luscious pain au chocolat for breakfast (they are irresistible!) Or maybe some croûtons in your salad. And if you were feeling adventurous, perhaps a few escargot drenched in butter.

I was surprised to learn that not all French people use the terms pain au chocolat, croûton, and escargot! There are regional variations in France, as in a lot of countries, and a French professor has written a fun book about them. Now I know that if I’m in Toulouse, I’d better order a chocolatine if I want that breakfast treat.

Read about some of these interesting regional terms in My French Life!

A Beautiful Art, Wine, and Food Center in Provence

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Just minutes from Aix-en-Provence is a site unique in the region: Château La Coste. Whether you enjoy food, wine, art, or all three, it is definitely worth a stop.

Twenty years ago, Château La Coste was an unremarkable winery set in a beautiful location. Then a new owner decided to change things up. He dramatically upgraded the quality of the wines, hired the world-famous architect Tadao Ando to design an art center, and invited sculptors from around the world to work their magic around the property. Oh, and he added six restaurants, a luxury hotel, and a wellness center.

Today Château La Coste is a definite stop to add to your Provençal itinerary, whether for a meal, a stay, or just to taste wine and enjoy spectacular artworks.

Read all about it in Frenchly!