La Comtesse of Chateau St. Martin

by Paige Donner

Wines by the Comtesse Adeline de Barry of Chateau de St. Martin in France's Var, Provence.

• Bubbly:  Bulles de Rosé - the color of pink raspberries you'll find this sparkling to have fine and regular bubbles with notes of red fruit on the mouth

• White: Grande Reserve Blanc 2016 - pineapple, tilleul (linden blossoms) and exotic fruits 

• Rose: Eternelle Favorite 2016 - color of wild peaches, notes of mango-passion in the mouth, very refined

•            Grande Reserve Rosé 2016 - pink gold in a glass; notes of peony, complex and creamy 

• White: Comtesse Blanc 2015 - elegant and complex with aromas of fleur de lys; on the mouth expressions of white fruits like pear and apple, silky

• Red: Grande Reserve Rouge 2014 - licorice and pink pepper bouquet; continued on the mouth with sweet spice hints

•           Comtesse Rouge 2014 - fine and molten in the mouth, this bold red tantalizes with its bouquet of black fruit and hints of spice 

• Dessert Wine: Vin Cuit de Provence -  cooked for 10 hours in the traditional artisanal Provençal method, this is a dessert or aperitif wine that pairs nicely with foie gras or any chocolate/caramel dessert; smoky notes with quince accents

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In 1740 a French family from the nobility became the owners of Chateau de Saint-Martin in the idyllic setting not far from St. Tropez in the South of France. The same family still owns this beautiful winemaking estate and runs its vineyards, producing exquisite Grand Crus Classés  rosés, whites and reds. Wine production on this site dates back all the way to the 2nd c. AD.

The ownership of the estate has passed from mother to daughter throughout the centuries with the exception of Count de Rohan Chabot who was the man who successfully championed the estate to be classified as a Grand Cru Classé in 1955. 

The estate famously celebrates the wine lifestyle several times a year: Notably at Christmastime in the grand tradition of Provençal Christmas festivities. And also in the summer during their Rires dans les Vignes or "Comedy in the Vineyards" festival which will take place again this year in late July. 

The Wines: 

• Bubbly:  Bulles de Rose
• White: Grande Reserve Blanc 2016
• Rose: Eternelle Favorite 2016
•            Grande Reserve Rose 2016
• White: Comtesse Blanc 2015
• Red: Grande Reserve Rouge 2014 
•           Comtesse Rouge 2014
• Dessert Wine: Vin Cuit de Provence
  

 

 Route des Arcs – 83460 TARADEAU Tél : 04 94 99 76 76 – Fax : 04 94 99 76 77  www.chateaudesaintmartin.com Coordonnées GPS : 43°26'40''N 06°26'05''E

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Domaine de RocheVille, Loire, France

by Paige Donner

Le Page, Le Prince, Le Roi, La Dame et La Favorite - names that evoke pages from French history, a past steeped in aristocracy - Princes, Kings, and favored ladies from the nobility. The Loire Valley was for centuries the preferred leisurely resting place for France's aristocracy. The many chateaus that the region is famous for is testament to this.

Hence Domaine de RocheVille's estate owner Philippe Porché's naming of his wines after the royalty that once inhabited his region is not at all farfetched though indeed it is whimsical. His wines are made either with chenin blanc or cabernet sauvignon. According to Porché the chenin blanc varietal is one of the most versatile and expresive wine grapes yet still underappreciated. The region around Anjou is the only one in the world where over 9000 hectares of chenin blanc are planted in both shale (schist) and limestone. To achieve the varied expressions of his mono-varietal wines, he vinifies from select parcels on his 16 hectares of vineyards with help from his wife Agnes.

La Favorite - bubbly and very low sugar dosage, anywhere from 0 - 6 grams, Saumur Brut cremant noir

Le Troubadour - a rosé with notes of wild peach, some apricot and touch of ocean salinity; Saumur Rosé is now its own appellation

La Jouvencelle - Saumur dry white; fresh and full of youth, full of citrus and tropical notes

Le Clos de la Thibaudiere - delicate nose of citrus and white fruit, a pleasantly complex dry white

La Dame - Saumur dry white, white flowers and tropical fruit with a hint of vanilla; a wine to savor during the accompaniment of a meal

Le Page 2014 - its smooth and slightly astringent tannins make this a lively wine; ripe cherry aromas; fresh and fruity this is a good wine for shared meals with friends;  100% cab franc from the foot of Parnay's mediaeval church

Le Prince 2014 - Saumur Champigny 100% cab franc, notes of spice, velvety mouth

Le Roi 2010 - Harmonious and with notable power the mouth finishes with notes of oak and woodiness which contrast elegantly with the first tastes of dark red fruit; a long finish

Le Fou du roi 2011 - black fruits and toasty on the nose, this expressive wine finishes strong and velvety, nicely structured

The wine estate Domaine de RocheVille in Parnay, Loire region of France welcomes visitors.  DOMAINE DE ROCHEVILLE
Les Hauts de Valbrun 49730 Parnay
Phone 02 4138 1000

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Patisserie Sebastien Gaudard, Tuileries, Paris

by Paige Donner

Paris Food And Wine's pick of the week. This delightful patisserie and Salon de Tea just next to the Tuileries and across from the Louvre is the perfect place for tea, hot chocolate, a light lunch and, of course, the most delicate of French pastries. 

(all photos © Paige Donner 2017)

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Sebastien Gaudard Patisserie & Salon de Thé

This Loire native has carried on the tradition of his father's pastry-making that he remembers so fondly from his childhood. Sebastien's first Paris patisserie on rue des Martyrs in the 9th arrondissement was a huge success, allowing him to follow with this one, situated on rue des Pyramides in Paris' 1st arrondissement. 

The pastries are some of the best in town - delicate and full of lightness. They are crafted by a true master's hand. And the location couldn't be more charming or more convenient. It's the perfect choice after a visit to the Louvre, just before or after catching the shuttle to Vallee Village shopping center or a taking a walk through the gorgeous Tuileries gardens. There are plenty of treats to tempt you on your way out too - chocolates and even jars of Baba au Rhum that you can just add Chantilly to and a fresh dollop of rum when you get home and - Voila! 

1 Rue des Pyramides, 75001 Paris

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25: Paris GOOD food + wine - French Oysters and Tea

by Paige Donner

Gillardeau Oysters and French Tea Tasting

Ahhh yes, it's March once again and that of course means that spring is just around the corner. For this episode of Paris GOOD food + wine I'm letting you in on a couple of my secrets. These are French secrets to keeping in good health and good spirits during the long winter months, - namely oysters and tea.

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The simple prescription is to consume both in generous quantities

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First up is my interview with Véronique Gillardeau, otherwise known as the Oyster Queen. This charming Belgian married into the 3^rd generation Gillardeau oyster farming family from France's Atlantic Coast several decades ago and has shared in the cultivation of this valuable resource ever since.

Ladies, take note, because oysters seem to be a secret ingredient to staying young looking and radiant.

Next up we hear from Olivier Scala whose father bought a tea company in the 70's called Thé Georges Cannon. Mr Scala has steered his family tea company toward growth and expansion his whole adult life. And now he even has his own son working with him.

Olivier Scala, Thé George Cannon, Paris Saint Germain des Pres,  photo by Paige Donner  copyright 2017

Tea consumption in France is markedly on the rise, with 4 out of 5 French people saying that they regularly drink tea. This interview takes place at the delightful Georges Cannon tea house in the very fashionable St. Germain des Pres district on Paris' Left Bank.

Music provided by FreeSoundTrack.com "Missing u" by John Bannister

Thés George Cannon Tea House 

Gillardeau Oysters

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For more information about this and other Paris GOOD food + wine episodes please see  Local Food And Wine     https://localfoodandwine.wordpress.com as well as iTunes.

All music used is free of rights and royalty-free. Show Intro/ Outro Jazzy Paris background courtesy of BenSound Music.
This episode has been generously brought to you by Paris Food And Wine @ParisFoodWine http://parisfoodandwine.net and also Bordeaux Food & Wine @bordeauxfoodvin http://bordeauxfoodandwine.com Download the Travel APPs in Google Play and the APP store Today!

To contact Paige for hosting and speaking engagements and for media collaborations: http://Paigedonner.info

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Saint Mont AOC Celebrates 60 Years

by Paige Donner

Saint Mont is one of France's newer appellations, created in 1957, but one that harbors some of the world's oldest known vines of near-extinct grape varietals.

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photos by Paige Donner copyright 2017 

In 2013 Saint Mont's pre-phylloxera vineyard parcel was given the distinction of historical monument (the first one in France). On this plot of land there are 20 different varietals planted that date back to the 18th c. Red and white grape varietals are planted side by side as was customary in that era. And there are even 6 different varietals planted there that have not yet been identified. 

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photos by Paige Donner copyright 2017 

Here in this wine appellation of the Gascony region they take preservation seriously. You can find hundred-year-old vineyards in Saint Mont where pre-phylloxera vineyards date to 1871; Sarragachies pre-phylloxera vineyards that date to 1810; Limaris that were planted prior to 1910 and then over 130 hectares planted before 1970; and the jewel that is La Madeleine, planted 1880.

The Manseng Noir varietal is considered a "gift to Gascony" by the appellations's vine conservation center. In 2000 one vine was found, by 2002 there were 20 vines in the conservation center; In 2012 you could find .8 hectares planted in Lectoure which yielded its first wine in 2014. By 2016 there were 7.6 hectares planted and now 2017 there are 13.6 hectares in total, a tally that includes the 2 hectares planted in Aignan. 

One of the reasons the region and its vineyard owners and vintners are so devoted to vine preservation is that they recognise the importance of bio-diversity. In 2012 the 20 most prominent grape varieties accounted for 91% of vineyard area. This is compared with just 53% in 1958. 

In Saint Mont we have decided to combat genetic erosion and varietal concentration.

Saint Mont wine tasting, Paris. February 2017. photo by Paige Donner copyright.

Saint Mont wine tasting, Paris. February 2017. photo by Paige Donner copyright.

This is, of course, no small undertaking. In the world of agriculture where diversity is under attack by large-scale agro concerns, uniformity is often the argument that wins out. But in a hundred years, in a thousand years, if all we are left with is one type of tomato, what will happen to our genetic treasure chest? The recent meltdown of Samsung phones is a good illustration of what can happen when something is copied (cloned) and faults appear. It can spell diminishment of quality, and even mean extinction  - and quickly. 

There is wisdom, then, in Saint Mont's dedication to the preservation of diversity. 

Tasting wines made from pre-phylloxera fruit is transportative. It takes you back to an era that can no more be recaptured than time in a bottle. 

The region produces reds, whites and roses. One outstanding white is L'Empreinte 2014. And you are sure to pleased by anything from La Madeleine, Saint Mont Monastery as well as anything vinified by Eric Fitan or Veronique Terrade.  For 2017 Plaimont Producers were chosen as the Cave de l'Annee by La Revue du Vin de France. 

Maison de Vins de Saint Mont  http://www.vins-saintmont.com

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Episode 24 Paris GOOD food + wine - Caviar and Romantic Paris Restaurants for Valentine's Day

Host-producer Paige Donner brings you Episode 24 of Paris GOOD food + wine for February 2017.

This month we're celebrating St. Valentine's here in the City of Love & Light. Valentine's Day or St. Valentin as they say in French is observed here in France though not to the degree that it is in the U.S. at least insofar as the commercial marketing aspect of the holiday.

Because, anyway, Paris is a city filled with such romance that every day feels like Valentine's Day here...

So, for this February Paris GOOD food + wine show, we're bringing you first person interviews with two of the city's scions from its culinary top shelf.

Mr. Armen Petrossian

First up we hear from Armen Petrossian. If the name Petrossian rings a bell it's because you're likely familiar with the world's best known, quality caviar. Over the last century, Petrossian has become synonymous with caviar and understandably so – with a global marketshare unrivaled by any other single brand, Petrossian has maintained the strictest quality control over its caviar throughout the generations.

Armen Petrossian is the son and heir to the founder of his family fortune. He discusses with us here the company's history, their philosophy and gives us some inside tips on sourcing excellent caviar.

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Chef Mathieu Pacaud in the kitchens of Le Divellec, Paris 7ème Arrondissement

Next up is our second interview with a family scion, this time with Chef Mathieu Pacaud. This chef is also heir to an iconic family. Namely his father is the 3-star Michelin chef of Ambroisie here in Paris. But that hasn't stopped this young 30-something from boldly and unabashedly earning his own stripes.

In the past couple of years he opened three restaurants in Paris: Hexagone, now a 1 Michelin star restaurant, L'Histoires, now a 2 Michelin star restaurant and one of Paris's most romantic dining experiences; And most recently, he took on the mantle of Le Divellec, for generations the most famous fish restaurant in Paris, now completely renovated and re-imagined by Chef Pacaud.

So sit back and get ready to be thoroughly charmed and enchanted by our two Parisian scions of great families from France's culinary world.

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Episode 23: Air, Water and Well-being Hello 2017 with Love, from Paris GOOD food + wine

Paige Donner, host-producer of Paris GOOD food + wine brings you the January '17 episode of the program, the first-ever English language radio show and podcast about French food and wine broadcast from Paris. To contact Paige: paigedonner.info

In this show we speak to you from Le Centre Element in the Marais, Paris' chic central neighborhood. More than a yoga studio, the Centre Element is a center of well-being. Here we have conversations with Pia LeCannu, a yoga teacher and evolving wellness enthusiast about her approach to good food and healthy eating.

Next we speak with Xavier Chabeur, the owner of the Centre Element as he explains to us his philosophy behind his center. His emphasis is on plenty of oxygen for the body, structured water and also how important meditating is for our own health and the health of the planet.

So relax and enjoy another episode of Paris GOOD food + wineParis GOOD food + wine, with me, your host and producer, Paige Donner.

All music used in the show is free of rights and courtesy of Bensound.com and also FreeSoundTrackMusic.com

*NOTE French word of the day:  Curcuma = Turmeric

This show was brought to you by Paris Food And Wine. Download the Paris Food And Wine APP in the App Store and on Google Play today.

December in Paris saw high levels of pollution in our air quality. So much so that for several days during several weeks public transportation was free. It was an attempt to get commuters to leave their cars at home and ride the bus or Metro.

This got me thinking, once again, that there are few things as essential to our daily nutrition as clean air and water. So I contacted a yoga teacher friend of mine and asked her to meet me at the Centre Element in the Marais, a yoga and well-being center. There we arranged to discuss the issues of healthy eating, clean air and clean water. The owner of the Centre Element, Xavier Chabeur, happened to be there that day and so he, too, shares his thoughts about how we can better take care of the basics, air, oxygen and structured water, when it comes to a well-being approach to food and our bodies.

Pia Le Cannu, the yoga teacher who is featured in the first half of this January 2017 show, spends part of her time in Amsterdam and so she can easily compare the air quality between that city and Paris.

According to her, the pollution in our air at times here in Paris is tangible, at least when compared to the pristine air of Amsterdam. Of course, myself, as a transplanted Los Angeleno, remember all too well the eye-burning yellow clouds of smog that would descend on our city of Angels altogether too frequently. Compared to Los Angeles, Paris' air is pristine.

But clean air and clean water should not be a relative issue. Rather it is an absolute – either our air and water are clean and healthy for human consumption or they are not. Is there really an inbetween? And if you, like myself, agree that clean air and clean water are a basic human right, then keep listening to Episode 23 of Paris GOOD food + wine as we start this year 2017 off in the right direction: air, water and well-being.

Le Centre Element  -  7, rue des Guillemites  75004 Paris  Facebook.com/lecentreelement

Restaurant & Patisserie Shop Recommendations (As mentioned in the January Show)

In the interview Pia talks about the golden curcuma (turmeric)latte, that you can find in the nicest spot in Montmartre: Café Tabac https://www.facebook.com/CafetabacFR/

She also mentioned 

Mandoo Bar, Paris 8 http://www.mandoobar.fr/ Corean restaurant that is a delight, with an open kitchen and extremely fresh food. 

Causses, rue notre dame de Lorette, Paris 9 http://www.causses.org/13/nos-restaurants

Season, rue Dupuis, Paris 3 https://www.season-paris.com/ 

and Ze Kitchen Galerie, rue des Grands-Augustins, Paris 6 http://www.zekitchengalerie.fr/

I mention three Patisseries that are either gluten-free, sugar-free or both:

Helmut Newcake, Foucade and Eugène

Those listings, including addresses and reviews, can be found on my 10BEST listing here:

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