Posts Tagged ‘provence region’

If you are looking for fine French wine and food, consider the world famous Provence region in southeastern France. You may even find a bargain wine in this sun-drenched ideal tourist location, marred only by the number of tourists. I hope that youll have fun on this fact-filled wine education tour of this French candidate for paradise in which we review a local red wine based on the red Mourvdre grape.

Among Frances eleven wine-growing regions Provence ranks ninth in acreage if you include the island of Corsica, which most people do in spite of their considerable differences. Provence is synonymous with ros wine, and although its percentage is declining, happily according to many wine lovers. Over 50% of Provence wine is ros, or as some might say, pink. Many of its wines are pink and flabby, but others are not. The region is home to dozens of grape varieties, often not found elsewhere. With an average of three thousand hours of sun a year, a lot of Provence wines taste baked.

One secret to making fine tasting wine is limiting its production. The Bandol AOC reviewed below and its high-quality neighbors are capped by law at 180 cases per acre (40 hectoliters per hectare). In this area growers could generate at least twice as much output, almost without trying. But any gains in quantity would be lost in quality. Voil. Limiting Corsicas wine output has helped reduce Europes famous, or rather infamous, wine lake.

While there is no shortage of great places to visit in Provence, lets start by honoring this wines home town, Bandol, population eight thousand. Its right on the coast, about thirty five miles (fifty five kilometers) southeast of Marseille and has become quite a tourist attraction. Bandols port has a capacity of fifteen hundred sailing vessels and that includes a lot of yachts. It is quite a center for scuba diving and deep-sea fishing. In high season unless you love crowds you are better off visiting the vineyards right outside town.

For a change of pace go about four miles (six kilometers) north of Bandol to La Cadiere dAzur, a medieval village of about three thousand perched on a hilltop overlooking the vineyards. Vincent Van Gogh was here. When you see it youll know why.

Before reviewing the Bandol wine and imported cheeses that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region.

Start with Caviar dAubergines (Egglant Pure).

For your second course savor Poisson aux Herbes de Provence (Fish with Provence Herbs).
And as dessert indulge yourself with Tarte aux Noix (Walnut and Honey Tart).

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed

Domaine Le Galantin Bandol Rouge 2005 14.0% about $20.00

Lets start by quoting the marketing materials. Description Bandol, the most serious wine of Provence, [is] typically a deep-flavoured, lush red blend dominated by the Mourvdre grape. Tasting Note (Jancis Robinson, Oxford Companion to Wine, 3rd Edition, 2006) This version is mostly Mourvdre with a touch of Grenache for balance. Its lovely collection of aromas include cherry, anise, marzipan, and garrigue. And now for my review.

Before the first meal I sipped some of this wine. It was dark, fruity, powerful, and long. You know that the wine is present. The first meal was delicatessen-made thin strips of beef with sliced vegetables. I added rice and a Thai hot sauce. The wine remained long and strong with dark chocolate. I have the feeling that it could hold up to anything. I am getting an image: people sitting around a campfire devouring raw or scarcely cooked bear meat I have no idea what bear meat tastes like but I know this Bandol could handle it. This is not a wine for watercress sandwiches with or without the crusts. I liked the wine with a cocoa strudel. The chocolate of the wine accompanied the chocolate of the cake. There was, however, a discordant note, Ill talk about it in the next round.

The second tasting was with broiled beef ribs accompanied by jerk sauce, barbecued red skin potatoes, and commercial grilled eggplant. The wine was thick and mouthfilling, but there was something about its acidity that was not quite right, lets not mince words; it was unpleasant. This also happened with the first meal. It may be hard to believe but swirling the glass vigorously removed this secondary defect. In the present series of reviews covering more than sixty wines this is the first time that I have encountered such a problem.

The final meal consisted of a pan-fried lamb chop that had been marinated in olive oil, garlic, and sliced red onion plus an artichoke, garlic, and tomato salsa and corn on the cob. The wine was full and long brimming with chocolate and to a lesser extent tobacco. The defect is long gone and the wine was excellent. As strong as it was the Bandol accompanied rather than overpowered the subtle meat. Jancis Robinson was right, who am I to doubt her, I tasted garrigue, Mediterranean spices.

The first cheese pairing was with a mild-tasting Italian Pecorino Fruilano, which somehow cut across the wine. It surprised me that such a weak cheese could denature such a strong wine. The Bandol was able to keep its taste when paired with the more flavorful Dutch Edam. I tasted deep chocolate.

Final verdict. This wine is a winner. I confess that I dont understand fully the problem with the defect. But I am more than willing to take the chance on it again. However, just between you and me, I wont waste it on cheese pairings.

Author: Levi Reiss
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Those who are thinking of moving to France but are concerned they will miss the best of the UK’s arts festivals should not be worried. Buying property in France does not mean you will be missing out on the best in music, drama and comedy as this year’s Provence festival is likely to prove.

Having been compared to the likes of the world famous Edinburgh festival, the Festival d’Avignon is a huge multi-arts celebration.

Founded back in 1947, the event plays host some of the best directors and film companies in the world.

Entertainment on offer includes drama and classical performances as well as the latest in dance, music and opera.

Entertainment in Avignon

Whether you are into the arts or not, the city has plenty to offer in terms of investment and buying French property. As well as the annual festival, Avignon is also famous for its fabulous food, wine and weather alongside its cultural attributes.

It also has the advantage of being right in the centre of France’s stunning and popular Provence region.

Retiring to France

There are few places in France that are more ideal to live out your days than Provence.

The region is the perfect place to relax and also offers up plenty to do for those who are looking for a bit more adventure.

Among the activities enjoyed by many retirees in the area are the numerous outdoor markets and sports such as hiking, canoeing, horse riding and golf.

Provence Properties
Provence Property on the coast is expensive but as you move inland, say 30 minutes drive from the coast, property prices drop significantly. Cannes, Nice, St Tropez and other chic resorts are much more expensive but rental incomes during the Summer season can pay the mortgage!

Author: Howard Farmer
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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