I'm always taking days to explore more of my favorite AOCs in Bordeaux, in particular Pomerol and Pessac Leogan. They are some of the smaller appellations, Pomerol just next to Saint Emilion has some incredible wines, none are classified so you really have to go out there and just try! There is the Maison du Vin in Pomerol who can help guide you as well.
Written by Stephanie Curtis who has written for multiple food publications from Food & Wine to Michelin Photos by Isabelle Bachelard On the evening of March 18, in the Centre-Val de Loire city of Tours, anticipation rippled through the air of the convention center’s amphitheater packed to the brim with some 2000 guests. The occasion was the... Continue Reading →
Domaine Terra has moved its headquarters to Bazas in SE Gironde. It's very exciting to have professionals promoting high quality products with the best ingredients based here. Domaine Terra makes wonderful locally sourced spreads for tartines, great for all, including vegetarians and vegans.
Where to eat when you are looking for locally sourced products, cooked in a healthy way...and aren't just sandwiches? Which restaurants offer great vegetarian or vegan options in Bordeaux? There is a great movement by local chefs to offer seasonal dishes with lots of local ingredients, often times using farms just outside of Bordeaux or using ingredients from less than 100 kilometres away.
Rue du Ha (with a hat on the 'a') near to the Cathedrale Saint Andre is named after the chateau-fort created by Charles VII after the 100 years war. Today, Rue du Ha is known for its incredible restaurants and is a nice street to wonder along. From Lauza, to Bibi there are many culinary delights for you on this one street!
Everyone coming to France wants cheese and wine! While the SW of France is not home to a lot of cheeses, sorry to say, we do still have plenty of places where you can try some! Bordeaux has lovely fromageries (cheese stores), restaurants focused on cheese, and even some that offer cheese tasting lessons! Here are some of my favorite places to eat, buy and try French cheese in Bordeaux!
The importance of avoiding pesticides and herbicides is clear in the wine industry. However, only 25 percent of most vineyards in Bordeaux can call themselves Bio or Organic. 1,39% of Bordeaux vineyards are biodynamic.
What do the French eat for Christmas? I wanted to share many of those Christmas meal items and some of the history behind them, so you can prepare a French Christmas meal, keeping in mind that in most French homes the big day is on Christmas Eve...Santa Claus or 'Papa Noel' even comes then (not on Christmas day).
The number of women in winemaking in Bordeaux has grown exponentially in the last 30 years. There is still room to grow in this historically predominantly male industry. Here are some women in Saint Emilion winemaking to watch, from owners to oenologists.
There are so many wonderful wine bars in Bordeaux, but so many only offer charcuterie and cheese. Wine, in particular red wine, has been accompanied by cheese for ages. Tanins, like those in coffee and chocolate also, are softened by dairy. So it makes sense its a classic pairing. And who doesn't love some porc noir de Biggore with a nice glass of Chateau Ferriere (one of my favorite combinations at the wonderful bio wine bar Complain Terra). What if you want more? It's equally fun to try wines with different styles of food and in France, that's what wine is about - complimenting or enjoying with a dish! Here are some of my favourites in Bordeaux, which is your favourite?
Helen Kelly with her husband Nick, are the winemakers and owners at Chateau de Claribes in Gensac, Gironde. Originally from Oxfordshire, East of London, Helen and Nick were working in IT and decided to make a major life change. Like so many who move to France, the choice was for a better quality of life. More balance. While both travelled often for work and leisure, most importantly holidaying in a vineyard in the Entre-Deux-Mers, the final decision to permanently move seemed clear.
This village in South-East Gironde is a great place to come with your family! Are you wondering what to do in Bazas with your children? The arcaded centre of town is easy to walk around and has plenty of natural space surrounding the exterior wall for small children to run around. There is a nice playground, new skate park, public swimming pool all and family friendly tours with Aquitaine Travel Guide, of course!
No, vineyards do not stretch as far as the eye can see in North Carolina, but there are a lot of similarities between these two places I've lived that made Gironde feel like home immediately. Colonial History between Bordeaux and the South Bordeaux in essence is a colonial city. So much of its Roman and... Continue Reading →
Located at the end of the river into the Atlantic Ocean, one hour from Wilmington, you find this charming old port town. Once only known for the fishing boats arriving, it's fast becoming a retiree dream land with marinas and beautiful developments popping up everywhere. I wish you could see the Southport we knew from decades ago, but I think you'll still find that vibe in the old town and along the waterfront.
Autumn is my favorite time to go...when the oak leaves are changing color and the air is cool and crisp. This part of South-West France has some of the most impressive seasonal landscapes. Sarlat-la-Caneda, a stunning medieval village in the Périgord Noir of Dordogne is a great place to stop if you're visiting the area.... Continue Reading →
Where to get off the tourist road and into French families vacation locations? Try Les Landes, the department (state) South of Gironde and Bordeaux!
One of the best surprises when visiting San Sebastian years ago, was that this incredible, vibrant and culinarily inspiring culture didn't stop at the French border. The Basque (or Iparralde in Basque) goes well into France, touching the lower half of Les Landes in Nouvelle Aquitaine. The Basque language, Euskera, like the people, one of... Continue Reading →
One of the woman I worked with, back when I was a chef and she was first mate, Suzanne McGhee, is now an incredibly knowledgeable yacht broker. Having succeeded in the industry as a captain, no small feat in such a high pressure industry, she is now helping clients find their dream holiday yacht. Due to her first hand experience in the industry, she knows what is required onboard, the best places to cruise to, and many other inside tips which other yachting agents could miss. Below, Suzanne shares some more insight, enjoy!
It is run as a biodynamic vineyard and your tour with guide Eveli Rodriguez will highlight some of the more important and interesting parts of biodynamic wine making. This might have been my favourite part because it opened conversation to other unique methods of farming, like the use of music to promote growth and protect from mildew. Eveli adores questions so come prepared!
With so many wine bars in Bordeaux to choose from, how do you pick one? First question is why are you going? Is it for casual food and wine apero time? Or, are you wanting to learn more about the classic wines from Bordeaux? Are you interested in the natural wines from the area? Here is a short guide to a handful of the wine bars in Bordeaux.
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