Excerpted from From Le Figaro (English)
Monsanto must pay for French farmer’s pesticide injuries
A French tribunal found Monsanto, the leading producer of agro chemicals, responsible for serious neurological effects suffered by a French farmer after his exposure to poisonous pesticides. Monsanto must pay for all damages suffered by the farmer.
Posted in biodynamic, Bordeaux Food And Wine, Buzzworthy, Event, First Nations Food, French Wines, Local Food And Wine, Local Food And Wine Tastings & Tours, Local Food And Wine TV, localfoodwine, Paige Donner, Vancouver Food And Wine, Vancouver Island
Tagged French farmer wins against Monsanto, Local Food And Wine, Monsanto, pesticide poisoning, Vancouver Food And Wine
From the 28th of February to 10th March, Paris’s Hotel Plaza Athénée invites you to experience their Alpine-inspired Pop-Up restaurant.
Cuisine is inspired by the Rhone-Alpe region of France known as the Haut-Savoie with its Savoyarde regional cuisine. Think hearty, mountain cooking for cold nights and white winters!
Posted in Buzzworthy, Cherie Du Vin, Event, French Wines, Local Food And Wine, Local Food And Wine Tastings & Tours, Local Food And Wine TV, localfoodwine, Oenotourism, Paris Food And Wine, regional wines, Restaurant, Vancouver Food And Wine, Wine
Tagged Chef Philippe Marc, Cherie du Vin, Dorchester Collection, Eco.Luxury.Style, Haut Savoie, Hotel Plaza Athenee, Local Food And Wine, Rhone Alpes, Vancouver Food And Wine
| The Grand Tasting took place on December 2nd and 3rd at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. Twenty one Wine and Management Diploma students, representing 9 countries, were responsible for serving wine for the “Master Class” and “Master Class Prestige” tastings.
*Editor’s Note: Including the Ruinart Master Class Tasting that featured a 1998 Ruinart and an almost caramel-colored 1988 vintage paired with pan-seared fois gras. |
| The Grand Tasting brings together the best producers of wine, from International personalities to young talented winemakers. During the Master Class the best wines are unveiled and tasted. The following were amongst the esteemed producers who were present:
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Château Ausone, Domaine Ponsot, Maison Cazes, Domaine Weinbach, Domaine Jean Louis Chave, Domaine de la Chevalerie, Champagne Joseph Perrier, Champagne Taittinger, and other well-known brands.  |
| Continue reading |
Posted in Buzzworthy, Cherie Du Vin, French Wines, Local Food And Wine, Local Food And Wine Tastings & Tours, Local Food And Wine TV, Oenotourism, Paige Donner, Paris Food And Wine
Tagged Bettane and Desseauve, Cherie du Vin, Le Cordon Bleu, Le Grand Tasting, Local Food And Wine, Local Food and Wine Tastings and Tours
Dear Readers and Wine Lovers: Please have a look at my recent article which originally appeared in the International Herald Tribune. It is also online at NYTimes.com with full LINK HERE.
by Paige Donner
Posted in biodynamic, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Food And Wine, Buzzworthy, Champagne, Event, French Wines, Local Food And Wine, Local Food And Wine Tastings & Tours, Local Food And Wine TV, localfoodwine, Paige Donner, Paris Food And Wine, Vancouver Food And Wine, VOC, Wine, Winemaker
Tagged bordeaux, champagne, Douro, Green Blog Network, International Herald Tribune, Local Food And Wine, Napa Valley, NY Times, Paige Donner, Wine And Climate Change
“We wanted to put our own unique spin on traditional food and wine pairing concepts” says Chef Natasha Harris.“Clients who book the yacht will be able to show their guests Vancouver from a new perspective, while learning about interesting wine and food combinations using local ingredients. It’s a great opportunity to showcase our city and what we are privileged to have here.” 
Created by Sunset Bay’s ISG accredited Executive Chef Natasha Harris, The Wine Yacht’s interactive group tasting sessions are designed to provide clients with an informative and unique custom tasting event while on board the “Sunset Bay II” private yacht. Each tasting station features premium wine varietals from BC and around the world, paired with small plates inspired by the corresponding wine’s region. Continue reading
Posted in BC Wines, Buzzworthy, Cherie Du Vin, Event, Foodie, French Wines, Gastown, Happy Hour, Local Food And Wine, Local Food And Wine Tastings & Tours, Local Food And Wine TV, localfoodwine, Oceanwise, Oenotourism, Okanagan Wine, Paige Donner, regional wines, Restaurant, Restaurant Etiquette, Vancouver Food And Wine, Vancouver Island, Wine, Winemaker
Tagged BC Wines, Chef Natasha Harris, coal harbor, Local Food And Wine, Local Food and Wine Tastings and Tours, oenotourism, okanagan wines, Paige Donner, sunset bay ISG, The Wine Yacht, Vancouver Food And Wine, wine and food Pairings
Posted in AOC, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Food And Wine, Buzzworthy, Event, French Wines, Local Food And Wine Tastings & Tours, Local Food And Wine TV, localfoodwine, Oenotourism, Paige Donner, regional wines, Vancouver Food And Wine, Wine, Winemaker
Tagged Bordeaux Right Bank, Cherie du Vin, French Tennis, Henri Leconte, Jurade St. Emilion, Le Cercle Rive Droite, local food and wine tastings & tours, Local Food And Wine TV, Paige Donner
Posted in AOC, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Food And Wine, Buzzworthy, French Wines, Local Food And Wine, Local Food And Wine Tastings & Tours, Local Food And Wine TV, localfoodwine, Oenotourism, Paige Donner, regional wines, Vancouver Food And Wine, Wine, Winemaker
Tagged Bordeaux Food And Wine, Chateau de Pressac, Cherie du Vin, Jean-Francois quenin, Le Cercle Rive Droite, Local Food And Wine TV, Paige Donner, Right Bank Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion, St. Emilion Jurade, St. Emilion Wine Council
By Paige Donner
For most of us wine lovers, the word Bordeaux evokes Mecca-like dreams and memories of some of the world’s best and most prestigious wines.
For the Bordelais, there is a pronounced distinction between “Left Bank” and “Right Bank,” each with their own Bordeaux sub-cultures and each laying claim to world-renowned chateaux. The Left Bank and its famous Medoc region boasts Mouton Rothschild, Margaux and Pichon Comtesse Lalande, while the Right Bank with its idyllic St. Emilion and Pomerol lays claim toPetrus and Cheval Blanc. Continue reading
Posted in AOC, APC, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Food And Wine, Buzzworthy, Cherie Du Vin, Foodie, French Wines, Local Food And Wine, Local Food And Wine Tastings & Tours, Local Food And Wine TV, localfoodwine, Oenotourism, Paige Donner, Paris Food And Wine, regional wines, Vancouver Food And Wine, Wine, Winemaker
Tagged bordeaux, Bordeaux Food And Wine, Cherie du Vin, Cheval Blanc, Jurade St. Emilion, Local Food And Wine, Local Food And Wine Tours and Tastings, Local Food And Wine TV, Marathon du Medoc, Medoc, Paige Donner, Petrus, Pichon Lalande, wine tourism
Foreword FROM THE MINISTERThe Fête de la Gastronomie is a festival that is not to be missed, and it will be taking place on the first day of autumn [Sept 23rd]. It will also have its own theme, uniting all the different events and initiatives taking place throughout the country. This year we have chosen Our Earth, because it generously allows us to work it, harvest its fruits, and use them for our food. Because man and earth are inseparable. More INFO
Everywhere you look there is something to do with gastronomy: in the media, in the increasingly imaginative dishes available in our restaurants…as though the whole idea were something new, whereas in fact it is no more than a tradition in a constant state of renewal, very much alive, and one that makes the most of our country’s dynamism, the foods we produce, and what we do with them. Continue reading
Posted in Bordeaux, Bordeaux Food And Wine, Buzzworthy, chocolate, Event, Foodie, French Wines, Graves, Local Food And Wine, Local Food And Wine Tastings & Tours, Local Food And Wine TV, localfoodwine, Oenotourism, Paige Donner, Paris Food And Wine, Provence Wines, regional wines, Restaurant
Tagged Culinary Tourism, fete de la Gastronomie, Frederic Lefebvre, French gastronomy, gastronomy as world heritage, Local Food And Wine, Local Food And Wine TV, Paige Donner, paris food and wine, UNESCO Heritage, wine tourism
All photos by Paige Donner c. 2011.
The Gérard Bertrand annual Jazz Fest took place August 4th – 8th this summer at Château l’Hospitalet in Narbonne. These photos are taken at Château l’Hospitalet just outside Narbonne.
To read more about Gérard Bertrand wines, his annual summer Jazz Fest and hisL’Art de Vivre Les Vins Du Sud, click on Gerard-Bertrand.com.
Watch the Local Food And Wine TV interview of Gérard Bertrand at his Cigalus Estate HERE.
Château l’Hospitalet. Festival de Jazz. Photos by Paige Donner c. Local Food And Wine.
Posted in AOC, Comox Valley, Event, French Wines, Local Food And Wine, Local Food And Wine Tastings & Tours, Local Food And Wine TV, localfoodwine, Oenotourism, Okanagan Wine, Paige Donner, Paris Food And Wine, regional wines, Restaurant, Vancouver Food And Wine, Wine, Winemaker
Tagged Domaine L'Aigle, Gerard Bertrand, Limoux, Local Food And Wine TV, Paige Donner, Sud de France
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by Paige Donner
As wine bars in Paris go, this is both authentic and on the beaten path. For years, when ever you’d search out wine bars and Paris, it is this one that would come up. It is nestled right next to the famous (and super cheap!) Marché d’Aligre.
Which is a good thing. Because after – or before – you buy your fresh cheeses, your ripe fruits, and your roasted chicken, you can buy your wine by the liter and enjoy a glass of it while doing so. And yes, you buy your liter of wine straight from the barrel.
Le Baron Rouge. It’s a bit on the beaten track but every bit worthy of a drop-in. Plus, what better way to start off a Sunday morning but with a glass of good, country, French wine?
Contact Local Food And Wine for our Culinary Tours and Rates.
Posted in Buzzworthy, French Wines, Happy Hour, Local Food And Wine, Local Food And Wine Tastings & Tours, localfoodwine, Oenotourism, Paige Donner, Paris Food And Wine, Provence Wines, Pub, regional wines, Vancouver Food And Wine, Vancouver Island, Wine, Winemaker
Tagged Best Wine Bars Paris, Culinary Tourism Paris, Le Baron Rouge, Local Food And Wine Tasting Tours, localfoodandwine, Marche d'Aligre, Paige Donner, Top Paris Picks, Wine Tasting Tours Paris
By Paige Donner
Read Complete Article on Black Book Magazine
A biannual affair, France’s monumental, just-wrapped Vinexpo Bordeaux has, once again, firmly established itself as the world’s leading exhibition for the wine industry. A few numbers: there were approximately 50,000 attendees at the Bordeaux Convention Center; overall wine consumption between now and 2014 will reach a whopping 2.729 billion cases of wine, most of that light and sparkling; the US, China, and Russia are the countries primarily fueling this growth; in 2009 alone, this retail market already represented $389 billion. Indeed, people really enjoy knocking back a glass of the good stuff.
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While women buy more than half of the wine that ends up on your table, according to Wine Enthusiast, men still dominate the somewhat fusty, very-serious-despite-the-intoxication Vinexpo, which isn’t to say that there aren’t a slew of younger, more internationally-minded budding sommeliers to enliven the crowd. We spoke with 10 of the expos most insider-y insiders – from Baron Philippe de Rothschild to the Mayor of Bordeaux – to get the scoop on what’s new in the world of the vine.
Adrien Laurent, Baron Philippe de Rothschild
Nevermind that three bottles of Château Lafite Rothschild sold not too long ago at Hong Kong’s Sotheby’s auction house for a record $232,692 – each! Adrien Laurent, Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s U.S. and Mexico Export Manager, doesn’t rely on pretention when discussing his house’s eminent wines. In fact, if you can get him to talk about the history of the Rothschild family and how Baron Philippe turned Bordeaux’s wine world upside down back in the 1920s, when he was a mere 20 years old, you’ll really see the Oeno-lover take off his gloves. I’m just praying that the taste of ‘98 Château Mouton Rothschild that he poured me (and that I spit out) won’t be something he remembers me by. “I never spit out Mouton Rothschild,” he confides. I must add, in the interest of full-disclosure, that he did graciously pour me another splash of this legendary cuvée, which I fully savored.
Pascal Boyé, Nicolas Feuillatte
Boyé can be authentically described as a kind of dashing figure in a romantic novel. The French champagne executive lives in NYC, spends his weekends in Aspen, and takes business meetings in Epernay and Bordeaux. “We are the youngest of the big champagne houses,” he explains. Started a mere 36 years ago in Epernay, France, the heart of AOC Champagne, the house prides itself on its modernity. “We are the pyramid of the Louvre,” says Boyé. The number one champagne house in France is number 5 in the U.S. Within the next year, according to Mr. Pascal Boyé, Feuillatte’s North and South America Export Manager, the world’s third largest champagne house will move to the number four position in the U.S.’ 22 million bottle-a-year market.
Alain Juppé, Mayor of Bordeaux
There isn’t a resident in Bordeaux and its environs who doesn’t sing Mr. Juppe’s praises. He took over as Mayor of Bordeaux in 2006, and has since carried out remarkable beautification and restoration projects. The modern, efficient tram system that whisks you around the mid-sized city is another thing to write home about.
Read Complete Article on Black Book Magazine
Posted in AOC, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Food And Wine, Buzzworthy, Charity Benefit, French Wines, Graves, Local Food And Wine, Local Food And Wine Tastings & Tours, localfoodwine, Oenotourism, Paige Donner, Paris Food And Wine, Provence Wines, regional wines, Vancouver Food And Wine, Wine, Winemaker
Tagged Black Book Magazine, Bordeaux Food And Wine, Feuillatte, Lanson, Local Food And Wine TV, Paige Donner, Rothschild, vinexpo 2011, Vinexpo Bordeaux
It was in the kitchens of the Louis XV in the Hôtel de Paris, along with the executive chef of the kitchens of the hotel, Franck Cerutti, that Alain Ducasse received the confirmation from the Palace.
«H.S.H Prince Albert IIand Miss Wittstock’s decision honours me. It honours also Mediterranean cuisine,a sincere and fair cuisine that pays tribute to a rich and generous land. A cuisine that is respectful of its environment. Prince Albert and his future wife have thus expressed their attachment to nature and to the attentive work of the men and women who wisely nurture it. On this very special day, I cannot help myself remembering with emotion the tasty moments the Prince spent with his family at our table.
Monegasque since 2008, it was in 1987 that Alain Ducasse discovered Monaco,when Prince Rainier III called upon him to take over the direction of the kitchens of the Hôtel de Paris, Monte-Carlo SBM’s prestigious establishment, with the mission to make the Louis XV the first hotel restaurant awarded three Michelin stars, a distinction that was granted in 1990. Located between Nice and Liguria, it is at the Louis XV that Alain Ducasse brings cachet to Mediterranean cuisine. A cuisine of freedom, of emotions and of passion but also of rigor, sobriety and method; it gives the best role to each ingredient -from the modest vegetable garden plant to the most sumptuous crustacean- for the greater pleasure of the senses. At the very heart of this Mediterranean soil that so inspires him, he has found, in twenty-five years of professional partnership and personal implication, a staunch support. Today, Monaco is the essential anchor point in his profession as chef-creator. From the Louis XV, he trains most of his chefs, the very same ones who then carry his work across the globe.
The Princely wedding dinner, held on the terraces of the Salle Garnier, will be executed from the kitchens of the Louis XV at the Hotel de Paris, with the
Posted in AOC, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Food And Wine, Buzzworthy, Charity Benefit, Event, Foodie, French Wines, Local Food And Wine, localfoodwine, Oenotourism, Paris Food And Wine, regional wines, Restaurant Etiquette, Vancouver Food And Wine, Wine
Tagged Alain Ducasse, Hotel de Paris, Lady Whittstock, Local Food And Wine, Mediterranean Cuisine, Monaco Royal Wedding, Monagesque, Prince Albert
Château HAUT-BRION, Bordeaux (Sunday, June 19, 2011) Since 1983 the Conseil des Grand Crus Classés of 1855 (Médoc & Sauternes) have hosted a dinner honoring the International Press to open the world’s premier wine and spirits exhibition, VINEXPO Bordeaux. The event, always held at a first-growth château, continued this tradition when 350 people gathered at Château HAUT-BRION on Sunday, June 19, 2011.
Château Haut-Brion’s Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Alain Juppé, Mayor of Bordeaux and Philippe Castéja, President of the Conseil des Grand Crus Classés of 1855 (Médoc & Sauternes), Alain PASSARD (L’Arpège, Paris),Anne-Sophie PIC (Maison Pic, Valence), and Yannick ALLENO (Le Meurice, Paris)
Some 220 journalists from 33 countries were welcomed by Château Haut-Brion’s Prince Robert of Luxembourg, and Philippe Castéja, President of the Conseil des Grand Crus Classés of 1855 (Médoc & Sauternes). Following a tasting of Médoc and Sauternes Grand Cru Classé wines from the 2005 and 2008 vintages there was a “9-star” dinner created by a trio of three-star chefs:Alain PASSARD (L’Arpège, Paris), Anne-Sophie PIC (Maison Pic, Valence), and Yannick ALLENO (Le Meurice, Paris). The food was accompanied by a selection of Grand Crus Classés with commentary on each vintage offered by the Best Sommeliers of the World.
Médoc Grands Crus Classés from the 2003 vintage accompanied an entrée of Field-dressed purple beets with semi-sweet vinaigrette, cocoa and acacia honey by Alain Passard. Next, vintages 1996 to 1985 were tasted with the main dish, Gently roasted blue lobster in shellfish butter, with a lobster and red fruit consommé lightly flavored with green pepper by Anne-Sophie Pic. Then Haut-Brion 1975 in double magnum was presented with a Hearth-roasted rack of lamb, golden risotto-style spelt, and fricassee of chanterelles prepared by Yannick Alléno. To finish on a sweet note the guests enjoyed a “nine-star” dessert course, with each chef matching their creation to the 1990 Château d’Yquem: a contemporary vacherin of raspberries and Blue Mountain coffee from Pic; a soft, lemon sponge cake soufflé by Alleno; and strawberries with olive oil and lime by Passard).The evening was also the occasion to offer each guest the latest book from ABRAMS, “Grands Crus Classés—The Greatest Wines of Bordeaux—with recipes from TOP CHEFS of the WORLD”. Published in October 2010, this unique work brings together for the first time the world’s greatest chefs such as Ferran Adrian-El Bulli, Jean Georges, Noma, Joël Robuchon, Paul Bocuse, Eric Ripert, Nobu Matsushisa, Marc Haeberlin, Thomas Keller, André Chiang, Alex Atala, Hiroyuki Hiramatsu, Pierre Gagnaire, Chan Yan-Tak, and many others, as well as the three chefs who prepared the evening’s menu. 87 chefs representing 27 countries around the world have each created a recipe for the Grand Crus Classés of 1855, with commentary by seven of the Best Sommeliers of the World (Oliver Poussier, Markus del Monego, Andréas Larsson, Serge Dubs, Franck Thomas, Youichi Sato, Virginia Philip, and Eric Beaumard).The Conseil des Grands Crus Classés of 1855 (Médoc & Sauternes) is the official organization dedicated to the advancement and presentation of wines listed in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. It manages all aspects of promotional, technical, economic, and legal questions relating to the 1855 Grands Crus Classés (Médoc & Sauternes), the administration of their affairs and the enhancement of their prestige. The 1855 Classification was established at the request of the French Emperor, Napoléon III, who wished for the finest products of the Empire to be presented at the Universal Exposition at Paris in 1855 (the first universal exposition organized in France).
Posted in AOC, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Food And Wine, Buzzworthy, Event, Foodie, French Wines, Graves, regional wines, Vancouver Food And Wine, Wine, Winemaker
Tagged 1855 Classification, Alain Juppe, Alain Passard, Anne Sophie Pic, Bordeaux Food And Wine, bordeaux local food and wine, Chateau Haut Brion, Grand Crus Classe Medoc and Sauternes, Local Food And Wine, Paige Donner, pessac-leognan, Philippe Casteja, Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Yannick Alleno
Vancouver Food And Wine
