Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Don't want to be a richer woman)

It has been almost a year since I wrote a post on this blog, the reason being that it has been a full-on year in my life, with plenty of changes and (of course) delicious wines.
After leaving London and moving to France with my (drinking) partner in crime, we have decided to pursue our dream to leave the big cities and our office jobs and find our little corner of quiet in the countryside. So we bought a big house with a big garden to set up our B&B business. You may say we are just part of a global trend where people decide to return to the countryside in search for a life of higher quality and simpler things such as growing your own vegetables and being as much independent as possible from this fast society which is mainly focused on career and making money. Well, yes, this is exactly the plan: we are not rich nor trying to get there, we are just looking for quality rather than quantity.

Obviously this process has taken lots of our energies, especially in refurbishing an old house and decorating it but we finally succeeded and opened our B&B Le Casse-Noix in Sarlat La Caneda at the end of May.

Le Casse-Noix B&B Sarlat

Now you may ask what has this to do with wine...Well, nothing in particular, other that I am now living in one of the largest wine producing countries, less than 2 hours drive from one of the most (if not the most) popular wine regions of the world (i.e. Bordeaux) and have access to an immense choice of wines (often from smaller and lesser-known appellations) for very reasonable prices. Besides, the Dordogne  is deservedly considered one of the most interesting gastronomic destinations in France, with plenty of local productions and an ancient culinary tradition.

Sarlat on a winter afternoon

And now that I kind of feel that the pressure is slightly over and the activity is under control, the journey to my new food and wine experiences is just about to start. I will try to take you around in my exploration of the French regional cuisine and wine production and will carry on with my little posts on Italian wines and food.

Please `stand by the closing doors` and enjoy the ride!

PS: Don't forget.."You must be the change you wish to see in the world!" Mahatma Ghandi

From France with love (and wine)

What's best to avoid the Jubilee celebrations than a bucolic long bank holiday weekend in June exploring the French countryside?
I am not talking about the most touristy areas but those unspoilt regions where life is slow and all about nature, food and wine!
I found the right place in Dordogne, a small county on the South West side of France, just East of Bordeaux.



An area well known for castles, perfectly preserved medieval villages, vineyards, duck breeding and therefore a lot of duck based recipes. Every restaurant will have the confit the canard on their menu as well as a lot of foie gras.

I will leave all my ethical concerns on the foie gras on a side and will concentrate on the relaxing beauty of the Dordogne river valley and the friendly attitude of the local people. It is a place where you feel always welcome and where food and wine have a special place.

Driving in the countryside without direction is pure pleasure.
Stopping to have a walk in the silence of the medieval streets of one of those lovely villages like Montpazier, Tremolat, Cadouin or Limeuil is something really unforgettable.
And there is nothing better to finish the day than a nice dinner in a little bistrot with some rustic, genuinely tasty food.


I perfectly know that repeating your holidays experiences at home will never give you the same sensations and that whatever you drink and eat in a place during your trips will never taste the same when back home.
But this time I couldn't resist...I couldn't stop myself buying cheeses and some wine, so that my suitcase this time was not only full of memories!

Laguiole, Tomme de Savoie, Saint Nectaire, Langres, saucissons...et vin, Monbazillac and Pécharmant.

No real need to say anything about the first one. It speaks for itself, and if any of you doesn't know it, just try it. It is a great sweet wine. But the Pécharmant was instead a surprising find.

The 2004 vintage from Château Champarel that I bought, was still showing a dashing bouquet of fresh red fruit and a hint of undergrowth. A light texture, soft tannins and a medium subtle length. A wine that is ageing very well and still has some lifetime. An elegant wine, and a great value for money especially for Bordeaux blend enthusiasts.




PS: During my wandering around Dordogne I also 'met' Josephine Baker.....so I thought it would have been the best soundtrack for this post!