Spring Events in Provence
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottInspireWhat's On Provence & Cote d'Azur

Spring Events in Provence Discover What’s On 2022

Spring Events in Provence Springtime in Provence is lovely. As is the case with most of the year, the sun shines brightly, but expect the odd rainstorm. Moisture in this period is critical for the grapes, olives, and almonds to start their growing cycles. Expect to see the apple, pear, …

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Vacqueyras Rhône Valley Wine
Provence WineZineTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Vacqueyras Rhône Valley Wine Pairing

After a long year and a half, our good friends and neighbours Ursula and Bob returned to the neighbourhood from their other home is in upstate New York, in the Catskill Mountains. It’s nice to have them back. We had them over to dinner to celebrate their return and wanted …

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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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Rhône Valley Wine Caladoc Le Clos Saint Michel Vignobles Guy Mousset et fils
David Scott AllenProvence WineZineTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Pairing Rhône Valley Caladoc Wine with Food

It’s not often that I consider bottles from a “big box” wine store for this column. With the exception of a few quality rosés I have gotten (and written about) from such stores, their selection of rosé wines is generally geared towards the Carries and Mirandas. Pretty bottles/labels, intense pink …

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Winter Dinner Menu 2022
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottProvencal RecipesSeasonal MenusTasteWinter in Provence

French Flavours a Winter Menu with Acquiesce Wines

We asked Susan Tipton of  Acquiesce Winery to curate our Winter Menu for 2022. She selected three French recipes (starter, main course, and dessert) and paired them with a selection of Acquiesce wines. This winter menu highlights the flavours of France along with California wine pairings. If you live in …

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Choose Côtes du Rhône Wines
Jill BarthTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

How to Choose Côtes du Rhône Wines

I am often asked about my “favourite” wine. This is an impossible question and one that I can’t answer. The fact is, I taste so many delicious wines that choosing a favourite seems silly, particularly when things change from vintage to vintage. But I have a category recommendation that I …

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Sue Tipton Winemaker Lodi's Acquiesce Winery
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Wine Club Discount from Acquiesce Winery

A Vineyard in Lodi Acquiesce Winery, located in Lodi, California stands apart from others in this appellation known for its concentration of Zinfandel red wines. The San Francisco Chronicle included the Acquiesce Winery tasting room among its list of 52 vineyards to visit in 2020. The vineyard produces only white …

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Provence Rosé Export Market
Provence WineZineTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Provence Rosé Still Pouring Strong in the Export Market

In a year marked by turbulence and an overall decrease in exports of French wine by as much as 5% in volume, Provence witnessed exports increase by nearly 6% in volume, making it the wine region posting the greatest growth abroad.  By comparison, Burgundy posted a 1.4% growth in the …

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Gigondas Rhône Wine Village village creative commons attribution Jean-Marc Rosier from www.rosier.pro
Keith Van SickleTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Gigondas a Rhône Wine Village with a View

Are you looking for a place with beautiful views, excellent food, and fabulous wines? Then consider Gigondas in the southern Rhône Valley. This region has been producing excellent wines for over 2,000 years, from when it was part of the Roman Empire. The Romans liked the wines from Gigondas so …

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Understanding Grenache Grapes
Provence WineZineTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

A Primer to Understanding Grenache Grapes

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 …

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