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Writing on www.slashfood.com Andrew has posted a recipe for a Grand Marnier Marmalade Sauce, which led me to discover other recipes for this orange-flavoued liqueur from NEAUPHLE-LE-CHATEAU near Paris.
As well as favourites such as Crepes Suzette, there is also a recipe for a Grand Marnier Soufflé, which may be just the thing over Christmas - indulgent certainly, but with some skilful cooking the result is as light as air "Souffle" means a breath or puff of air.

Grand Marnier is made from fine cognac infused with the a distillation of the peel of wild oranges from the West Indies.

For the recipes and to learn more about Grand Marnier, see their website at www.grand-marnier.com (in English (well, American).

The alternative is Cointreau (www.cointreau.com) which is made from similar ingredients.What is interesting is that the Cointreau website is much funkier - compared to the rather staid and traditional Grand Marnier image. Although I have never done a side-by-side comparative tasting my impression has always been that Cointreau is slightly fresher and lighter than Grand Marnier. For Crepes Suzette it has to be traditional Grand Marnier - whereas for a liqueur by itself I would probably choose Cointreau. They also have cocktails and recipes on the website including Bittersweet Glazed Duck with Cointreau Marinated Orange - a sophisticated variation on the old Duck à l'Orange.

If you are in the Loire Valley you can visit to Cointreau factory in Angers (49, Maine-et-Loire)

Seasons Greetings to all - FrenchDuck will be back in the New Year!
For more on French Wine, Food & Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France,Wine,Food,Grand,Marnier,liqueur,orange,recipe

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Aix-en-Provence (13, Bouches du Rhone, Provence) is always worth a visit, but even more so in the summer of 2006 when the town celebrates the centenary of the death of the impressionist painter Paul Cezanne. Under the banner of Cezanne 2006, a series of events is being held, including a major exhibition of his works in the Musée Granet from 9 June - 17 September 2006.

The exhibition Cézanne in Provence features over a hundred of the artist’s works, with 80 oil paintings (including The Large Bathers from the National Gallery, London, and numerous versions of Sainte-Victoire) and 30 water colors. All the paintings are closely associated with localities in and near Aix, making the event a celebration of Cézanne’s Provence – a splendid proof that his universal genius, which anticipated Cubism, Fauvism and abstract art, was firmly and inevitably rooted in his native land.

For more on French Wine, Food & Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France,Cezanne,Provence,Aixi

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We have raved about this bridge/viaduc at Millau (12 Aveyron, Midi-Pyrenees) before, but it has just celebrated its first anniversary with news that more than 4 million people have used it so far. Such has been the success that they are to construct additional toll booths to reduce waiting time in peak season (although when we went through midweek in April and August it was wonderfully quiet) - and they plan to improve the visitor areas which had a distinctly temporary feel to them.
The bridge and its completion of the A75 motorway south from Clermont-Ferrand has really opened up this area, and it is on our list of places to explore - great scenery, fortresses of the Knights Templar and unspoilt countryside and villages - hurry before everyone discovers it.

For more info see www.viaducdemillau.com/

For more on French Wine, Food & Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France,Millau,Viaduc,Aveyron,autoroute

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NICE CARNIVAL (06, Alpes-Maritime,Provence) Carnival 2006 on the theme King of Dupes will take place from 11th to 28th February 2006 The theme is "designed to illustrate society's excesses, where the real, the virtual and the ostentatious meld to the point of obliterating all boundaries. Thus, Carnival parades will be "virtual moons of green cheese" and the flower parades made of "fantasy and illusion"". see www.nicecarnaval.com

For more French events see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France, Nice, Provence, Events, Carnival

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The problem with choosing a villa or "gite" for your holiday is that unless you know the place you are often faced with a bit of a lottery - the description and photo in the brochure seldom tells you quite enough about the property or its setting, and does not prepare you for the place being dark/damp/facing a petrol station or next to the sewage works.
But www.purefrance.com is a website with plenty of info and photos to guide your choice. They also have a good selection of properties - my favourite being La Maison des Ecrivains (Writers) in Caux (34 Herault, Languedoc) - a small village in the middle of the Languedoc vineyards with an interesting medieval centre - the maison has vaulted ceilings, tons of original features - see www.purefrance.com

For more on French Wine, Food & Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France,Wine,Languedoc,Caux,Herault,Provence,Brittany

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St Malo (35 Ile-et-Villaine, Brittany) joins the growing list of destinations served by the high speed TGV train, offering direct services to Paris, Rennes (35 Ile-et-Villaine, Brittany), Laval (53 Mayenne, Pays de la Loire) and Le Mans (72 Sarthe, Pays de la Loire). The fastest journey time to/from Paris is just under 3 hours.

For more on France, French wine,food and travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France,travel,train,sncf,st malo,paris,tgv

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Time was when Bergerac's Roumanières airport (24 Dordogne, Aquitaine) was a quiet local airfied for flying enthusiasts, a flying school and the odd executive jet. Now Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) is adding another route to the western Dordogne from Liverpool as from 9 February 2006, That now makes an impressive list of departure airports for Bergerac - i.e. from Belfast, Bristol, Birmingham, Exeter, Leeds/Bradford, Stansted, Nottingham, Southampton and now Liverpool.
So now it will be easier than ever to enjoy the charms of South West France, the wines of Bergerac, Monbazillac, Saussignac, Pecharmant, Cotes de Duras, Cotes du Marmandais - and even St Emilion is within striking distance. The town of Bergerac itself is a pleasant, if not particularly memorable medium-sized French town - but there are plenty of charming villages and countryside around. My only concern now is that it will start getting overrun by Anglo-Saxons arriving daily on all those flights.!!

For more on Travel to and within France,French Wine & Food see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France, Travel,Plane,Bergerac,Dordogne,Perigord,Roumanieres

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SNCF (French Railways) are introducing a new concept in train travel, made possible by their use of doube-deck trains on their high-speed TGV routes. If you're going from Paris to Aix-en-Provence,Avignon, Bordeaux, Cannes,Marseille,Montpellier,Nimes, St Raphael, Toulon or Toulouse you can choose your environment - either
ZEN - tranquility - quiet, peaceful, no mobile phones, music or children - with a conductor to keep out the rowdies - or
ZAP - where you can hire a DVD and player, or a games console, buy a magazine or have coffee served at your seat..
And given that the train goes city centre to city centre in little more than the flight time, then this sounds to be a pretty relaxing (or stimulating) way to get to the south of France from Paris - certainly less hassle.

But can they stop the snoring in the zone of tranquility??

The service is called idTGV and is only offered on specific services.

For more on French Wine, Food & Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France, Travel,Train,TGV,Bordeaux,Toulouse,Avignon,Montpellier

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Leon Stolarski has just added some interesting new wines from Southern France to his already exciting list. This includes 2 Corbières from Domaine Saint Esteve at Thezan. Corbières is fast becoming one of the more interesting of the Languedoc appellations, with its range of different "terroirs" increasingly offering wines of real distinction - great structure and real flavour.
Also in the new arrivals are wines from the Coteaux du Languedoc, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Cotes de Ventoux - and a seldom seen Vin de Pays Duché d'Uzes from the Gard département.

And there is still time to get delivery before Christmas!

See Leon Stolarski Fine Wines for more info.

For more on French Wine, Food & Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France,Wine,Languedoc,Corbieres,Esteve,Stolarski

Posted by frenchduck at 6:48 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Billed as THE European "shopping" event, Cannes (06 Alpes-Maritimes, Provence) will be hosting its own version of the New Year Sales from 5 – 15 January 2006.

"Over 10 days, Cannes will be a-buzz with numerous fashion shows, theme evenings and festive events, giving visitors an extra-special experience of this Mediterranean mecca for the stylish and starry.

The Palais des Festivals will be staging a series of 8 prestigious evening fashion parades presenting the spring/summer 2006 collections of a number of top designers"

For discount rates at local hotels and more information see www.cannesshoppingfestival.com

For more on France, French Wine, Food and Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords; France,Cannes,Provence

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In October 2005 we reported that the A28 was now completed from Rouen (76 Seine-Maritime, Normandie) to Le Mans (72 Sarthe,Pays de la Loire), and from this week the final section south of Le Mans, from Ecommoy to Tours (37 Indre-et-Loire, Pays de la Loire) opens, linking to the A10 autoroute south to Bordeaux. This will be a great benefit for journeys to and from western France and the Loire, as there is now good autoroute access all the way through to Caen, Le Havre, Boulogne and Calais without going anywhere near Paris.

For more traffic information on France's autoroutes - see www.autoroutes.fr

For more on France, French Wine, Food & Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France, Travel,autoroute,Le Mans,Tours,Alencon,Rouen

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We'll we've all heard of Beaujolais Nouveau, and I've commented before about the proliferation of other "nouveau" or "primeur" wines in other regions, but Aix-en-Provence(13 Bouches-du-Rhone, Provence) has a new take on the idea with a festival to mark the new Olive Oil Harvest (FÊTE DE L'HUILE D'OLIVE NOUVELLE) on 17 and 18 December 2005 in the Place Jeanne d'Arc.

Despite my intial scepticism that such events are often little more than cheap marketing ploys to sell otherwise unmarketable wines, an olive oil event could be quite interesting - as "freshness" could be an important factor - plus the opportunity to taste different oils side-by-side from different varieties should be illuminating.

This is all part of the town's Christmas festivities - and it sounds great fun!

For more info see www.aixenprovencetourism.com

For more on France, French Wine, Food and Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France, Food, Oil,Olive,Huile,aix,aix-en-provence,provence

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The wooden case conceals…. A Bordeaux bottle, what else? BUT DO NOT DRINK!!!! - as it is a perfume from the Bordeaux negociant Ginestet, called "Le Boisé". Like a Bordeaux wine aged in oak barrels, Le Boisé "pays homage to the wood. The first impression in the nose evokes unequivocal images of the barrel cellar. There can be no doubt, it bears promise of the virile strength and stature of a robust red wine. One more moment and the light vanilla touch of the oak sings out, delicately fringed with the finest of spices. On the male skin the intense notes mingle. The aromatic power and complexity speak out in perfect balance." - and at a mere US$100 for 100ml from www.hamptonct.com in California, you can be fairly sure no one else will have thought of it.

For the ladies Ginestet also produce 2 fragrances - a "Botrytis", supposedly reminiscent of Sauternes (NB - beware that it translates as "noble rot" - which might not quite convey the message you intended) and a "Sauvignonne" which "overflows with delicious bitterness in an explosion of impetuous freshness."

Personally I think I'd rather spend my $100 on some decent wine.

For more on France, French Food, Wine and Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords; France, French Wine,Wine,Bordeaux

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We still have a small quantity of these versatile canvas Wine Bottle Bags which can be an ideal solution to how to bring back wine from a flying trip to France (or even elsewhere). Carrying up to 9 bottles, they both strong and easy to carry. With internal dividers to stop the bottles clinking against each other and a padded velcro grip handle for comfortable carrying.
With the increasing use of low cost airlines enabling more and more of us to get to France for holidays or even just a weekend, there is one major drawback compared to taking the car - you can't easily bring back much wine as a memento of your trip.
With these WINE BOTTLE BAGS you can now safely carry 9 bottles and stow them safely at your feet on the plane.
They are also ideal for picnics and shopping trips - made of lightweight but strong durable fabric. You could even put other bottles in them if you want - water, beer, squash etc.

At just £6.99 including P&P - see http://www.allezvins.co.uk

For more on France, French Wine, food and travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France, wine,bottle,bag,wine bottle bag,bottle bag

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The Irish airline AerArran will be flying from Luton to Lorient (56 Morbihan, Brittany) from 26 March 2006 - and from a number of Irish airports. Situated on Brittany's south coast this is an ideal gateway to south and west Brittany, including Concarneau, Quimper and Vannes.

Amongst the attractions of Lorient itself, the AerArran website cites:-
"Visit the Lorient InterCeltic festival held in August every year. 500,000 spectators crowd the streets and venues to watch and listen to traditional music, dancers, painters, writers, film makers and to attend the various lectures given.

Visit the famous bicycle park, in the setting of the magnificent Menehouarne Estate, the Veloparc provides a moment of discovery and relaxation in the countryside. Situated on almost 120 hectares: All terrain vehicle trails, bicycle hire, play area, bar, shop and ice creams. You are invited to travel in time and explore the history of the bicycle. Antique bicycles and reports from the champions of the sport"

For more on France, French Food, Wine and Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France, Brittany,Lorient,Morbihan,travel

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For all the images of craftsmen winemakers, toiling fastidiously over their vines, lovingly nurturing their precious nectar and pronouncing lyrically about history, tradition and the soil - there is another less attractive aspect to the wine industry, which includes demonstrations and sometimes violence.
The Languedoc has a long tradition of rebellion when the market for wine at home or abroad supresses profitability and income. Back at the beginning of the 20th Century there were widespread riots around Beziers and Narbonne against the French Government's failure to maintain prices for the grape harvest, and the army had to be called in to restore order by force and bullets.

This year has seen more protests especially in the Languedoc with large noisy demonstrations, wine vats being drained, and some depots and vehicles set on fire. Recently wine growers from the Languedoc occupied the Chamber of Agriculture building in Nimes, and over in Bordeaux they bricked up the entrance to the Wine Board offices.

The cause is a combination of over-production and falling demand - especially at home in France. Whereas in the UK consumption of French wine is challenged by the competition from the New World, in France it is more to do with the fact that wine no longer occupies the key position it once did in French life - something which the recent campaign to enforce better road safety has not helped. Similarly some harsh restrictions on advertising alcohol in France have damaged the industry. In the Languedoc it is generally the bulk producers and the co-operatives which are suffering - many smaller, quality winemakers are doing well.

Bordeaux is a different story, more generated by the structure of the Bordeaux wine industry and the Appellation regulations - there is simply too much mediocre Bordeaux being produced, against a falling demand. At least in the Languedoc you can re-market your wine as a Vin de Pays d'Oc - and many have done so with great success. In Bordeaux that option is not available, and in an attempt to raise prices of Bordeaux the local Wine Board has proposed to declassify up to 30% of the production, which will cause severe problems for many producers.

The other problem is that in many areas the vine grows where little else can - the best wines tend to come from soils and conditions which make the vine struggle. Hence it is not always an easy prospect to switch from vines to some other commercial crop.

However, this is all part of the development of the wine industry - and the pinch will tend to hit lower quality producers, whilst top end wines and those making a quality individual product will survive and thrive.

For more on France, French Wine, Food & Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France, French Wine,Bordeaux,Languedoc,Beziers,Narbonne

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OK, so not everyone wants to visit the markets, churches and vineyards - so here is something for the kids (young and old) and maybe something to do when the weather is not so brilliant. Toulouse is probably the foremost technology centre in France (maybe Grenoble may make a similar claim) and there is plenty of high-tech stuff to entertain in the city. Newly added is the tour of the Airbus A380 tour - the 555 seat, double deck Airbus A380 is the most ambitious civil aircraft program yet. When it enters service in March 2006, the A380 will be the world's largest airliner, easily eclipsing Boeing's 747. You can take the tour of the Airbus factory at Toulouse Blagnac - taking 90 minutes; and additionally there is also a tour of the original Concorde factory which also gets you onboard the original Concorde 001! Both tours have to be booked in advance - see www.taxiway.fr - includes an English language version.
Also in Toulouse you'll find La Cité de l'Espace Space City - a space theme park - see /www.cite-espace.com

For more on France, French Wine, Food & Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords:France,Toulouse,Midi,Airbus,Concorde,Blagnac

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SouthWest France stands in danger of losing one of its prized gastronomic treasures - the Black (Perigord or Quercy) Truffle. This rare delicacy is particularly celebrated in the town of Lalbenque (46 Lot, Midi-Pyrenees) where there is truffle market every Tuesday between December and March.

At the beginning of the 20th Century the harvest amounted to 800 tons, whereas a mere 12 tons was harvested in 2004. The problem is that it has proved impossible to commercialise or farm this wild mushroom, and with a decreasing indigenous population the knowledge and skills to uncover these gems is disappearing - as are the specially trained dogs (or pigs) who root them out.

Mind you, 12 tons goes a long way, given the mere shavings that are used to transform any dish into a gastronomic blockbuster - and at about £85 for 100g that is more than most of us can afford.

Efforts have been made to make a synthetic truffle flavouring, but this does not appear to be very successful.

RECIPE By all accounts the best way to enjoy the heady flavour of the truffle is in an omelette "Omelette aux Truffes" Place the eggs (still in their shells) with the truffles in a sealed plastic bag or box in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours. An hour or two before preparing the omelette, break the eggs (2 per person) into a bowl, add salt and pepper and beat without frothing. Cut the truffles into pieces - slices or shavings according to taste - add to the eggs and cover. Put a little goose or duck fat in a frying pan and cook the omelette as usual.

For more on Lalbenque "Capital of the Tuffle" see www.lalbenque.net/

For more on France, French Food, Wine and Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France,Truffle,Truffe,Perigord,Lot,Quercy,Lalbenque,Omelette

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The Original Wine Company is a new find for us - based in Newark, Notts - they have an interesting collection of French Regional Wines which includes Jurancons from Domaine Cauhapé, one of the very best domaines in that region. Clos d'Yvigne Bergeracs from Patricia Atkinson, author of "The Ripening Sun" are also on the list and the wesbsite promises new wines from South West France - Jurancon, Madiran,Cahors, Gaillac and a single estate Cotes de Gascogne. Nationwide Delivery CLICK HERE

For more on French Wine, Food, Travel see http://www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France,wine,Jurancon,Newark,Notts,Madiran,Bergerac,Southwest,Cauhape

Posted by frenchduck at 6:20 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Boulogne (62 Pas de Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais) has always been preferred over Calais for a short break - Calais always feels a bit transitory, as though its only reason for existing is for the channel crossing. Boulogne however feels a more substantial, more French town in its own right with a proper fishing port rather than just a massive ferry terminal.

So next weekend may be a good time to head for the Boulogne Christmas Market (10-11 December 2005) which promises stalls offering gifts and local food, ice sculpture. a musical parade and fireworks!!

You can then enjoy one of the excellent restaurants and food shops to stock up for Christmas - the Times online has some good recommendations for shopping and dining.

Speed Ferries offer their fast catamaran service from Dover to Boulogne, but do be aware that the service may be disrupted if the weather is bad.

For more on France, French Wine, Food, Travel and Events see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France, Boulogne,Calais,Dover

Posted by frenchduck at 7:30 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

The Independent has a great recipe which combines some of the grastronomic riches of South West France into a suitably seasonal winter dish.

The combination of the rich duck with the fruity plumminess of the prunes is "cut" by the sharpness of the Armagnac. To my mind French ducks always taste a bit gamier than farmed British ducks - and if you can, use some Agen Prunes mi-cuit (half-baked)

Serve with cornichons (gherkins) and maybe a glass of the local rich Madiran or Cahors wines.

For more French Food, Wine and Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords:France,Southwest,duck,armagnac,prune,Agen,Madiran,Cahors

Agen (47 Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine) is the home of the Pruneau d'Agen (Agen prune) - but these "black coated workers" as my parents used to refer to them when used for medicinal purposes, are much more succulent and thinner skinned than the tinned versioms then available. The Agen Prune is an "Appellation Controllé" product, which means that only prunes grown in the region and cooked according to certain rules can be called Agen Prunes. "The Agen prune has been part of the culinary heritage in south-western France for centuries. Prunes are natural, tender and full of flavour : a treat for the palate that satisfies every requirement for a healthy, balanced diet.
The harvest traditionally takes place from mid-August to mid-September. The ripe plums are dark purple in colour with a bluish tinge. They are ready to harvest when the fine, firm skin is easily removed from the sweet, tender, juicy yellow flesh.
Once harvested, the plums are transported to the production site where they are washed, sorted, graded and dried."Agen prunes are natural, tender, full of flavour and energy : a treat for the palate with nutritional qualities that meet every requirement for a healthy, balanced and tasty diet.
Agen prunes are both a source of true gourmet satisfaction and an everyday health-giving food. They are low in calories, rich in fibre and have a high mineral and vitamin content : they are an ideal source of energy in a balanced diet and also help strengthen the body's defences against various complaints.
The Agen prune - good to eat and great for health !"

More info and recipes from www.pruneau.fr

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Bordeaux, for all its great reputation and connection with the world of wine, has never been a city that I have warmed to. I never seemed to be able to find a "heart" to the place, and whilst the river and the Quai des Chartrons (Wine Warehouses) are historically impressive they were, on my last visit (a few years ago), quite rundown and delapidated - and Bordeaux is essentially a big industrial city. So my experience of the place has tended to be of getting in, out or around it as quickly as possible by plane or the autoroute peripherique.

However, things are changing and I may be tempted to take another look for 4 good reasons:-

BORDEAUX DIMANCHE - this Sunday 4 December is "car free" in the centre of the town - and this should make it much easier and pleasant to explore the old town and boulevards.

FREE MUSEUMS From 1 December 2005 all the municipal museums are free to enter - includes some great exhibitions of modern and classical art, the Jean Moulin museum (dedicated to a hero of the Resistance), a natural history museum, and the "Musee des Douanes" - a Customs museum - a positive wealth of splendours.

BORDEAUX TOURIST OFFICE has a decent website (in English) including numerous options for getting out to the vineyards on organised tours or even by taxi!

FLIGHTS - for 2006 there are more UK airports serving Bordeaux especially with the budget airlines - with departures from Bristol, Birmingham,Nottingham/East Midlands, Norwich, Manchester and London. - making it a good weekend jaunt. See www.frenchduck.co.uk/travel/flights.html

If you get the time I'd always recommend a visit to St Emilion - about 30 minutes away, but an attractive village with many wine and food shops.

For more on France, French Wine, Food and Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords:France,Bordeaux,Aquitaine,wine,travel,museum

The City of Bordeaux is becoming more visitor-friendly and deserves a re-visit

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Arras (62 Pas de Calais) is another of those great towns of northern France - not much to stimulate on the outskirts, but the "centre ville" features not one but two imposing squares - the Grand' Place and Petite Place. Municipal architecture and civic pride ensure that the town centres remain impressive and supply a great backdrop for all sorts of events - parades, theatre, markets. Bethune and St Omer are similar, if on a smaller scale. Although the memory of 2 world wars is never far away in such places, there is plenty to entertain and divert, there is a lot of good shopping and some excellent restaurants.

And from 2 - 24 December there is the Annual Christmas Market with over 50 stalls and chalets selling arts and crafts and mouth-watering local specialities such as ostrich pâté or delicious, crunchy festive biscuits. Daily until 7pm in the Grand' Place.

Also the Hypermarkets in Calais are open Sundays in the run up to Christmas - 4,11, and 18 December, You can also find cheap channel crossings from Dover at this time of year.

For more on France, French Wine, Food and Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France,Arras,Bethune,St Omer,Calais,Christmas

Posted by frenchduck at 7:27 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

It has been mooted for years, ever since the quality of English bubbly rose to drinkable heights, that Champagne producers would wander over the Channel. The Telegraph has now revealed that Didier Pierson has become the first French producer to plant a vineyard in England.

Telegraph.co.uk "They wanted to expand their operation but suitable land in Champagne is at a premium. Knowing that the same chalky soil could be found on the South Downs, they started looking in Hampshire.

Mr Pierson said that, although he had heard of bigger Champagne producers making inquiries about establishing vineyards in England, he believed that they were the first to turn their ideas into reality. "It is an exciting project," he said. "We both see it as a great adventure. There is no way of telling yet where it will lead but we will put everything we have into making a success of it."

Comment:
However, the Champenois' fierce protection of their trademark name will entail that it is probably illegal to use the words "English" and "Champagne" in the same sentence, and we shall probably have to refer to it as "non-French basic fermented grape juice with bubbles and other additives"!!!

For more on French Wine see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France,Champagne,UK,Wine

The news story was previously posted in www.spittoon.biz

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One of the consequences of the recent changes in UK Licensing Law has been the removal of the minimum order requirement. Previously mail order, internet and some wine warehouse merchants were able to operate without a Liquor Licence if they sold by the case (12 bottles or 9 litres), as this was classed as "wholesale" rather than retail. Now, the law requires any sales direct to the public to be from licensed premises and under the merchant's personal licence - all involving more paperwork and costs.
The upside is that the minimum order requirement under the Law is removed, so that you should be able to order just a few bottles from any merchant. However, you need to check on delivery charges, as most delivery services will charge the same for a box of 3 or 4 bottles as for a case of 12. And, as many merchants effectively subsidise delivery charges, there is less scope to cover those costs on an order for less than 12 bottles.
Interestingly though, MAJESTIC WINE WAREHOUSES intend to continue the 12-bottle minimum order according to their website.

For more on French Wines and merchant recommendations see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France, Wine,Merchant,UK

Posted by frenchduck at 5:44 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Loads of special Christmas offers from Leon Stolarski Fine Wines - plus free delivery on all pre-Christmas orders! Specialising in the new classics from Languedoc, Roussillon, Southern Rhone and Beaujolais, they have a great collection of well-chosen wines.

"We have now posted a full selection of specially prepared cases on our website, designed to make all of your celebrations over the festive season go swimmingly. There are nine special Christmas cases, offering discounts of between 10% and 15%; 4 mixed dozens (red, white, fizzy & sweet), 2 all-red 12 bottle cases, a 15-bottle 'luxury reds' case, a mixed whites dozen and a ‘fizz/stickies’ 6-bottle case. Prices range from below £60 up to £150, including delivery". "There are also some other offers, including our popular Tom Cannavan Selection, which includes a series of wines tasted and rated very highly by Tom Cannavan in his article on wine-pages.com. Customers who have bought this case have stated that they have rarely seen a selection of wines praised so highly by Tom. Why not give them a try and see for yourself! Also included on the same page are selections of our finest wines from our Languedoc and Roussillon producers. And don’t forget our small, but perfectly-formed Sparkling, Dessert & After Dinner wines section. These wines are a brilliant way to while away those long winter evenings, as well as providing the perfect hedonistic start and finish to any celebratory meal - go on, it is Christmas!"

For more info see www.lsfinewines.co.uk/

For more on French Wine, Food, Travel etc see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Keywords: France, French,Wine,Rhone,Languedoc,Rousillon,Beaujolais

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