Stomp Some Grapes in Provence at Les Pastras
If you are in Provence and looking for something different to do—in between touring Roman ruins and visiting hilltop villages—I’ve got the answer: Kick off your shoes, climb into a huge oak barrel filled with grapes, and start stomping. That’s what Provence WineZine photographer Pamela O’Neill and I did earlier …
If you are in Provence and looking for something different to do—in between touring Roman ruins and visiting hilltop villages—I’ve got the answer: Kick off your shoes, climb into a huge oak barrel filled with grapes, and start stomping. That’s what Provence WineZine photographer Pamela O’Neill and I did earlier …
Old School Grape Crush at Les Pastras
The summer truffle-hunts have wound down, and it’s too early to look for the black diamond beauties, but the Pepins refuse to take a break! Instead, they invite you to come on over and get your feet dirty…or rather purple. For some background on this Franco-American truffle-hunting couple, please read …
The summer truffle-hunts have wound down, and it’s too early to look for the black diamond beauties, but the Pepins refuse to take a break! Instead, they invite you to come on over and get your feet dirty…or rather purple. For some background on this Franco-American truffle-hunting couple, please read …
Les Pastras Gourmet Pursuits Unearthing Truffles
Chicago might seem like a world away from the pastures of Provence, but Lisa and Johann Pepin tell me that adjusting to life in the south of France was relatively easy. They left corporate jobs (public relations and finance) in Chi-town, as only 30-yearolds can do, with the confidence that …
Chicago might seem like a world away from the pastures of Provence, but Lisa and Johann Pepin tell me that adjusting to life in the south of France was relatively easy. They left corporate jobs (public relations and finance) in Chi-town, as only 30-yearolds can do, with the confidence that …
Chicken with Black Truffles and a Mushroom Cream Sauce
If you have never tried a dish with fresh black truffles, it’s hard to know what all the fuss is about. Once your tastebuds have connected the earthy aroma and the intense flavour, you begin to comprehend why chefs refer to these fungi as “black diamonds,” among other labels. To …
If you have never tried a dish with fresh black truffles, it’s hard to know what all the fuss is about. Once your tastebuds have connected the earthy aroma and the intense flavour, you begin to comprehend why chefs refer to these fungi as “black diamonds,” among other labels. To …
Truffles are One Reason to Visit Aups in Provence
Reasons to Visit Aups: A Beautiful Location Located between the Mediterranean coast and the Alps, the village of Aups is at an elevation of 505 metres (1,657 ft). Considered as the capital of the Haut Var, this mid-sized town has a population of roughly 2200 residents. However, on a busy …
Reasons to Visit Aups: A Beautiful Location Located between the Mediterranean coast and the Alps, the village of Aups is at an elevation of 505 metres (1,657 ft). Considered as the capital of the Haut Var, this mid-sized town has a population of roughly 2200 residents. However, on a busy …
Elusive Truffles Hunting for Black Gold in Provence
We had just witnessed a demonstration of how dogs are essential companions for the truffle hunt (le cavage). In most cases, dogs have usurped pigs as the more manageable truffle hunters.
We had just witnessed a demonstration of how dogs are essential companions for the truffle hunt (le cavage). In most cases, dogs have usurped pigs as the more manageable truffle hunters.
Spending a Week in Provence Our Travel Planning Ideas
They are finally coming. They are finally coming! After two years of travel delays and several uncelebrated milestones, most of my family arrived in the South of France to spend a week in Provence enjoying the sites, the pool and some rosé bien sûr. Now what? We were ten, aged …
They are finally coming. They are finally coming! After two years of travel delays and several uncelebrated milestones, most of my family arrived in the South of France to spend a week in Provence enjoying the sites, the pool and some rosé bien sûr. Now what? We were ten, aged …
Fire Destroys an Olive Grove in Provence
As in many parts of the world, hot summer months in Provence bring an increased risk of forest fires. Fire in the Olives If we ever needed a reminder that all it takes is a spark, our friends at Les Pastras lost 180 olive trees to a grass fire on …
As in many parts of the world, hot summer months in Provence bring an increased risk of forest fires. Fire in the Olives If we ever needed a reminder that all it takes is a spark, our friends at Les Pastras lost 180 olive trees to a grass fire on …
Swimsuit Shopping Juan le Pins for a Teenager
Contributor blog post by Jemma: Lolo and I stand on a sidewalk in the easygoing town of Juan-les-Pins. We’re debating. The store sounds young to me, like the name of an aspiring rap artist. At last, we open the glass door of Banana Moon. “Bonjour!” I say to the shop’s sole …
Contributor blog post by Jemma: Lolo and I stand on a sidewalk in the easygoing town of Juan-les-Pins. We’re debating. The store sounds young to me, like the name of an aspiring rap artist. At last, we open the glass door of Banana Moon. “Bonjour!” I say to the shop’s sole …
The Truffle Markets in Provence – Planning Your Visit and Recipes
Truffle Markets It is more common to see summer truffles in the markets than in the past. However, this summer tuber may be related to the “Black Diamond,” but the taste is certainly not as distinctive. There is also a significant price differential between the summer and winter varieties. In …
Truffle Markets It is more common to see summer truffles in the markets than in the past. However, this summer tuber may be related to the “Black Diamond,” but the taste is certainly not as distinctive. There is also a significant price differential between the summer and winter varieties. In …