What Grows Together, Goes Together – Slow Cooker Cassoulet Paired With Affordable Occitanie Wines #Winophiles

This month the French Winophiles are exploring Occitanie – formerly Languedoc-Rousillion; and  in particular the AOPs of Minervois and Corbières.   And what better way to explore a wine region that simultaneously exploring its gastronomy. Certain wines are always paired with certain dishes because they come from the same “paese” or region, and therefore have traditionally been served…

A Wine and Cheese Pairing Party #MadeInFrance

During the month of October, Whole Foods Market (“WFM”) is promoting wines and cheeses of France.  You’ll find a bountiful selection of both at 300+ Whole Foods locations in 42 states.   As part of their promotion, Whole Foods Market has provided select members of the French #Winophiles group with a case of French wines and a gift card to…

An American In Saint-Émilion #Winophiles

This week the French Winophiles continues its virtual exploration of the Bordeaux Region with a visit to Saint-Émilion, which is located on the right bank of the Gironde estuary.  Merlot is the dominant grape in this prominent wine region, which also a UNESCO World Heritage site.  To truly understand wine, you must understand that ultimately,…

A Taste of Loire; Saumur-Champigny #Winophiles

The French Winophiles is doing a deep-dive into the Loire Valley region.  The Loire Valley is divided in to five distinct regions – Pay Nantais (which we explored last month), Anjou, Saumur, Touraine, and Centre- Loire.  This month we’re exploring the Anjou and Saumur region.  I chose a wine from the Saumur-Champigny sub-region of Saumur. …

A Tipple And Taste of Provence #Winophiles

Welcome to this month’s French Winophiles!  We’re group a food and wine bloggers pulled together by Christy of Adventures of a Culinary Diva.  We’re taking a virtual tour of France region by region and learning about French cuisine, wine and travel.  This month we’re exploring the Provence. About Provence Whenever I think about France, three places promptly…

Discover Beaujolais at Pabu Japanese; A Food And Wine Pairing Revelation

Last month I received an invitation to attend a Beaujolais Wines & Japanese Cuisine Pairing Dinner.  My first thought was “Huh”? That’s because pairing red Beaujolais and Japanese cuisine had ever occurred to me. On the other hand, having recently tried a Beaujolais Blanc for the first time on Chardonnay Day, I knew that would have an affinity…

Wine of the Week; 2012 Michel Gassier Cercius Blanc

Every Thursday I feature a wine I particularly enjoy, whether it’s something new and different, is a great value, or from a producer worth checking out.  For this week, my Wine Of The Week is the 2012 Michel Gassier Cercius Blanc. The Winery Michel Gassier is the fourth generation of his family to make wine.  He organically farms…

Wine of the Week: 2012 Château Pesquié “Le Paradou” Grenache

Every Thursday I feature a wine I particularly enjoy, whether it’s something new and different, is a great value, or from a producer worth checking out.  For this week, my Wine of the Week is the 2012 Château Pesquié “Le Paradou” Grenache. The Winery The history of Château Pesquié is the story of three generations of a family passionate…

Wine of the Week: 2011 Thierry & Pascale Matrot Bourgogne Blanc

Every Thursday I feature a wine I particularly enjoy, whether it’s something new and different, is a great value, or from a producer worth checking out.  For this week, my Wine of the Week is the 2011 Thierry & Pascale Matrot Bourgogne Blanc. The Winery Domaine Matrot is one of the oldest estate-bottlers in Burgundy. It has been distributed in…