If you are a fan of wines from Provence or the Southern Rhône Valley, you are already intimate with Grenache Noir. You probably don’t sidle up to the bar and order a “Grenache Noir” like you would a glass of Pinot or Cab, but I assure you that, in Provence …

Provence takes a long time to wake up in the morning. Especially on market days in Aix-en-Provence. It may be cold, grey, and dark when the market vendors arrive, but eventually, the market starts to buzz when the sun rises. Vendors begin arriving at 5:30 am for set up. I …

The United Nations established International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) on December 29, 1993. The date was later changed to May 22nd so that end-of-year celebrations do not impact the participating countries. There is a theme associated with the date each year, such as “Our solutions are in nature” in …

French cuisine is known for its delicate pastries and desserts. However, light, flaky pastry also complements a savoury tart perfectly! This recipe is similar to a classic French quiche. Serve this tart warm or at room temperature. Make Rose’s leek tart for lunch and serve with a green salad, or …

May is a critical month in the lifecycle of the vines on Domaine Mirabeau. In April, the buds break and begin to swell to show the first leaves and future branches. Then follows the critical process of ‘ebourgeonnage’ or debudding; the viticulturalist and their team select the branches that will …

Chef Liz Thompson and I had lots of fun delivering “Baking with Herbs,” an online cooking demonstration. One of the recipes was a twist on the French classic a Lemongrass Crème Brûlée. In just over an hour, we showed participants how to use fresh herbs and flowers from their garden …

As an avid traveller and French Riviera lover, 2020 has hit me very hard, and I’m sure most of you reading this article can relate. 2021 is not looking that great either, at least at the time of writing. Some readers of my blog have asked what I’ve been doing …

Focaccia is a traditional Italian flatbread with firmness and texture similar to pizza dough. In Provence, fougasse is similar but a slightly different type of bread (recipe here). Use this delicious bread as a side dish, sandwich bread, or as a flatbread with various toppings.  Other common toppings include herbs …

The term “Madeleine” was used to describe a small cake in the 18th century and is now synonymous with France and its delicate desserts. There are many different ways to prepare madeleines, and they are a great treat to have on hand when inviting friends over for tea. This recipe …

Does navigating a wine list or timing when to open the bottles in your cellar feel like rolling dice? If so, then it’s time to close that “wine gap” in Provence. Chêne Bleu, a stunning boutique winery in the Rhône Valley, is the backdrop for Extreme Wine, rated by Food …