Tag: French Wine
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Say Yes to Languedoc Wine

According to Karen MacNeil, Languedoc is the land of yes. This could be because the name is derived from a group of languages and dialects spoken in the south of France during the Middle Ages known as “langue d’oc,” oc meaning “yes” in the Occitan language of southern France. Languedoc could also be the land…
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How to Successfully Pair Wine & Cheese

You like wine and you like cheese, so pairing the two should be easy, right? Select a delicious cheese, open any wine you like, eat and enjoy. Not so fast. Wine and cheese pairings should not be complicated but they do require some important knowledge for a successful combination.
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Riesling from Alsace Can Change Your Life

Unfortunately in 2017, nationality is a hot topic. But what if your nationality had changed multiple times in your lifetime? What if you lived with your parents in the same village your entire life without sharing their nationality, only the nationality of your grandparents? There are a handful of locations on our planet that have…
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#Winophiles Showdown: Madiran vs Applegate Valley

This month our French Winophiles group is exploring a more obscure region of France: Sud Ouest, aka Southwest France. Although it is the 5th largest wine producing region in France, its location, tucked away between the Pyrénées Mountains and Spain to the south and Bordeaux to the north, results in a sparsely populated area. Sud Ouest…
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5 Rhône Valley Wines Perfect for Summer

As much as I enjoy exploring the historical convergence of wine and religion that is evident all over the world, the Rhone Valley is possibly my favorite wine region to excavate historically. Hopefully someday I will have the opportunity to explore it in person. However, the Rhone Valley is not only home to religious history,…
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A Journey Through Burgundy, Part 1 Chablis and Côte d’Or

When it comes to Burgundy I am at a loss for words. It is the source of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the world and home to one of the world’s most expensive wine. I love to drink red Burgundy more than I love to drink anything else. Yet, I have never been…
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Peeking Into the Secret World of Savoie Wines

Savoie, France is best known for fantastic skiing and breathtaking views. Boarded on the east by Switzerland and Italy, Savoie is home to the French Alps and its most notable mountain, Mont Blanc. It is home to ski chalets, cheese, and local wines. Until recently the wines of Savoie have lacked international recognition; however, the…
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Welcoming Winter with Côtes de Bordeaux

Darkness falls across the land on the longest day of year. An astronomical phenomenon in the Northern Hemisphere where the earth’s tilt on its axis is at the farthest point from the sun and the sun’s daily maximum elevation is at its lowest is known as the Winter or December Solstice. In truth the solstice…
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Totally Digging the Jurassic World of #Wine

The world of wine is vast. In fact, it is literally global. Many wine drinkers play it safe; rarely veering off the course of “known,” “safe” wines. This month our French Winophiles group is veering. You may ask how can one veer off the safe, known path in France. Bordeaux, Burgundy, Provence, Champagne, Rhone Valley;…
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Exploring the Wines of Alsace

Sadly, in the 2016 global political landscape nationality is a hot topic. But what if your nationality had changed multiple times in your lifetime? What if you lived with your parents in the same village your entire life without sharing their nationality, only the nationality of your grandparents? There are a handful of locations on…