David Scott Allen for Provence WineZine: Spice and wine are not always fast friends. Admittedly I like both, so my culinary goal is to find the right combination that will showcase both the food and the wine. Hence, the recipe for Spiced Duck with Blackberry-Balsamic Reduction was a challenge to …

This article was originally published (in French) in Fine Bouches Magazine, a magazine for lovers of high-quality foods and wines. Seaside Cassis Wines Cassis is the most beautiful AOC (appellation d’origine contrôlée) in France: the vineyards cling to the slopes of a magical amphitheatre that plunges towards the shimmering Mediterranean. …

Standing guard with a fabulous view looking south over the Rhône Valley is the magnificent hill of Hermitage, crowned by the famous chapel of St Christopher. Geologically, the hill was part of the right bank Massif Central until the Rhône River burrowed its way to the west, ensuring Hermitage as …

Northern Rhône Wines Along with vintage, cépage (grapes), producer, a geographic tag is attached to Rhône Valley wines. The northern section stretches 65 kilometres (40 miles) running from Vienne to Valence. Wines from the Southern Rhône are part of the production in Provence. When it comes to wine, there is …

Wine and food pairing is always an art and rarely a science. Hot spice, acid (citrus, vinegar) and alcohol content are strange tablemates. I decided to pair grilled lamb kebabs with a Domaine de la Jaufrette red wine blend from Gigondas. The meal was a success, the recipe is easy, …

Sometimes in life, you just need to hit the “easy” button and lean towards relaxed entertaining. There is nothing complicated about an evening of wine, cheese and charcuterie. And, this seemed like the perfect moment. It was the eve of a minor surgical procedure that was to keep me off …

By David Scott Allen for Provence WineZine Wine Club Surprises I joined The Wall Street Journal Wine Club to access some off-the-beaten-track wines. No, I am not advocating that you join, nor is this post about the club. It’s about the fact that every quarter I get a really nice …

By David Scott Allen: White Wine Pairing As you may recall from my reviews over time, I have become a big fan of Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc. It is one of those wines that says “special occasion” to me. Thus, I decided to treat myself for my birthday and get a bottle. …

Anniversaries are always worth celebrating, and in our house, that means a meal to suit the special day. However, the dilemma was what to serve with a Commanderie de Peyrassol rosé (2016)? Wine pairings are always a bit of a gamble. Will the wine stand-up to the food or overpower …

Bien sûr! Well, it might not seem that obvious. When I was trying to think what I should make to pair with today’s wine – an un-oaked Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc from Château des Fines Roches – I looked at a list of suggested foods and nothing felt right. Pork. Chicken. Seafood. …