Wintertime Braised Oxtail Stew
BeefDavid Scott AllenMain CourseProvencal RecipesTaste

Winter Meals Braised Oxtail with Potato Purée

As the weather in the Sonoran Desert finally cools down, the morning temperatures are just low enough to use the fireplace. Once winter arrives, I  look forward to that first fire and spend all morning staring into the flames. Along with those indolent desert winter days come the addictive comfort …

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Mont Ventoux AOC Vineyards
Paula KaneTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Mont Ventoux AOC Vineyards Discover the Wines

Harvest or vendanges for wineries in the Ventoux usually takes place between the end of August and the last part of September. For those who don’t know this wine region, AOC Ventoux (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) is a vast area in the southern Rhône with over 150 wineries. And it’s a …

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Back to School in France
Expat Living and Real EstateLiving in ProvenceVirginie Van Der Wees

School in France Holidays and More

In France, the school calendar follows a rhythm of intense periods of study followed by well-deserved breaks. As a result, the vacances scolaire (school holidays) occur on roughly the same dates year-to-year, which allows families to plan their holidays well in advance. There are three school zones (A, B and …

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cumin roasted pork chops
David Scott AllenMain CoursePorkProvencal RecipesTaste

Wine Pairing with Cumin-Roasted Pork Chops

What’s for dinner? It is a question I have asked myself daily for the past 400 days. Yes, I have cooked every meal since mid-March 2020 at home. No restaurants, no take-out, nothing. But, if you know me, I enjoyed it, especially these cumin-roasted pork chops. In the spirit of …

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Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken with Red Pepper Purée
David Scott AllenMain CoursePoultryProvencal RecipesTaste

Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken and a Zoom Dinner

Not to dwell on the realities of 2020, but we had to get creative about seeing friends, if only virtually. For an international Zoom dinner, one of the guests made a wish for chicken breasts stuffed with herbed goat cheese and vegetable Napoleons on the side. That was a wish …

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Gigondas Rhone Valley Wine
Our House in ProvenceTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Gigondas for Rhone Valley Wine Tasting

Gigondas Village We are blessed to have a house in Sablet, France and live as locals several times a year. We love our location at the base of the Dentelles de Montmirail, surrounded by vineyards as far as you can see. There is plenty to do in the area, starting with …

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Winter Holidays French Riviera French Riviera Winter Festivals Mimosa
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottExploreVillages Towns and CitiesWinter in Provence

Winter Holidays on the French Riviera

The owners of Riviera Experience, both from southern California, would not trade winter on the French Riviera for any North American “snowbird” experience. Forget wintering in Florida, Arizona, or California! The famous Côte d’Azur has long attracted travellers in the first few months of the year. When the French Riviera …

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Seared Lamb Medallions Tamari Ginger Glaze
David Scott AllenLambMain CourseProvencal RecipesTaste

Seared Lamb Medallions with Asian Flavours

The following recipe for seared lamb medallions with an Asian inspired tamari-ginger glaze is a happy consequence that I almost butchered. It wasn’t a special occasion, but I had a menu plan to pair with a red wine blend from Domaine de la Citadelle – Gouverneur Saint-Auban Rouge. The result …

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Exploring Rhone Valley Wines
Jill BarthTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Exploring Rhone Valley Wines from North to South

What’s the difference between France’s Northern Rhône and Southern Rhône Valleys? The difference is latitude. There. My work is done. Of course, I’m just kidding, but let’s start there. The Rhône River runs in a relatively straight, north-south path by the time it wedges into France from Switzerland near Lyon. …

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Lunch Vaison-la-Romaine
Our House in ProvenceRestaurant RecommendationsTaste

Where to Eat Lunch in Vaison-la-Romaine

Vaucluse Villages We go often to Vaison-la-Romaine, sometimes it seems almost every day. We go for Tuesday morning market, buy basic household supplies at “Brando Vaison Ménager”, pick up cheese at an amazing shop called “Lou Canesteou”, visit friends, or simply pass through on the way to Nyons and other destinations …

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