Playing around with this recipe for paella (Arroz con Pollo) took me years to perfect. Paella is a Spanish dish from the Valencian Community but is often found in Provencal markets. The exact ingredients are up to the chef, but this version was inspired by Jacques Pépin’s Arroz con Pollo, …

When I read on Kristin Espinasse’s blog “French Word a Day,” that her husband Jean-Marc, a wine professional, offered wine tours in Provence, I was in touch faster than you can open a screw-top bottle. We settled on a date for wine tasting in the Bandol and Cassis appellations. Although …

You will recall that on the last day of our most recent sojourn in Sablet, I suggested to Shirley that we drive to the Bandol wine region and taste wine since we had not been there for several years. Also, it was a gloomy day in Sablet, and I hoped the weather …

I have wanted to visit Domaine Tempier, ever since the first time I read about the Bandol winery owned by the Peyraud family, in books authored by Richard Olney, Alice Waters and Kermit Lynch. Kermit Lynch the renown wine importer, was introduced to the Peyrauds by Richard Olney and has …

Visit Le Castellet By Michel As we were approaching the end of our most recent sojourn in Sablet, I suggested to Shirley that we visit the Bandol region of the Var and taste wine since we had not been there for several years. One of my favourite blogs is authored …

One of the life experiences I cherish the most is spending time along the Côte d’Azur. However, I must confess that I’m geographically challenged, so the more I visited, the more confused I became about something relatively straightforward. “Which seaside towns are below which hilltop villages?” To settle the question, …

If you are lucky enough to be in Provence at the beginning of June, the wine-interested gourmet must not miss two wine tours! After attending these several times, we recommend both. Here are some details on the two events:  June 2: Les Balades Gourmands par les Vignerons des Côtes de …

The 12th edition of Les Musicales dans les Vignes de Provence starts on June 1 with the first concert at Château la Gordonne in Pierrefeu. Festival organizers want you to enjoy music from around the world while sipping on local wines at one of 40 prestigious vineyards. Whether you are …

Provence’s Mediterranean climate includes warm, dry summers, mild winters, and soil well-suited for vineyards. It’s no wonder that the wine regions of Provence are well known for producing some of the best wines in France – and around the world. The following article overviews the Provence wine regions, wineries and …

Not everyone can stick with a creative project for over twenty years, but Kristin Espinasse is one of those people. She has been writing her blog, “French Word a Day,” since 2002. In addition, she has published two books, including Blossoming in Provence (2011). I was thrilled to receive a …