When you think of summery white wines, Bordeaux and Burgundy are not exactly the first candidates that come to mind. After all, Bordeaux and Burgundy are basically red wines, aren’t they? That is a common misunderstanding. Bordeaux, together with Burgundy, is just as renowned for its white wines, as are the Loire Valley and Alsace. The fact is, some of the best white wines in the world are produced in Burgundy and Bordeaux. But when we talk about French white wine, it would be fair to assume that the wines of Alsace and the Loire Valley remain among the better values. Continue reading “The white wines of France: you shouldn’t always bet everything on red”
In the east of France lies Alsace. It borders Switzerland to the south, Franche-Comté to the west and the Federal Republic of Germany to the north and east. The Alsace region in its present form was only created in 1973. The administrative district has a chequered history behind it; sovereignty swung between Germany and France, so that the cultures of the two countries mixed strongly in the border region. Continue reading “Alsace – a region with charm”
For lovers, as we know, the sky is full of violins. For visitors to the south of France on holiday in the Ardèche, by contrast, the sky is full of culinary delights that, like the sounds of a whole orchestra, invite you to fall tastefully in love. Forget for a moment thoughts of gazpacho, sushi, raw-vegetable platters or even fast food. Why not live like a king in the land of the Tricolore for once, why not indulge with pleasure on a journey between Provence, the Languedoc and that Ardèche region which, as the “wild heart of France”, recommends itself to gourmet guests with its GENUSS magic (the magic of enjoyment) and the interesting “ESSkapaden” (eating escapades) of a regional fresh cuisine?
Bright yellow mountain broom, blue lavender fields – everything gives off such a strong scent that you know even with your eyes closed: you are in Provence. And thus in a region whose olive oils are among the best in the world. The mild, golden-yellow oil goes superbly with garlic and preserves the full natural taste of the mostly deliberately simply prepared dishes – from aïoli through saffron-yellow fish soup to vegetable dishes that culminate in the famous ratatouille – that “accent du soleil” typical of the region. Continue reading “A holiday of culinary magic and “Esskapaden”: a culinary kaleidoscope à la Ardèche”
Located in the south-east of France, the Ardèche département offers tourist as well as oenological attractions of a special kind. The region is named after the Ardèche river, which winds its way through impressive valleys and gorges and flows into the Rhône after 125 kilometres. No less impressive are the Côtes du Vivarais, extending over almost 650 hectares of vineyards, whose wines enjoy an excellent reputation among connoisseurs. The wine-growing region has indeed borne the Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure (VDQS) designation since the 1960s, but has only been allowed to use the name AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) since 1999. Continue reading “The Vivarais – a tourist and oenological gem in the Rhône-Alpes region”
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