adventures of an american housewife in the south of france

A Day in Provence: Avignon

We've been a bit housebound these last few months, me especially, and I was itching to get out and do some exploring.  Michael and I are really trying to continue to take advantage of our surroundings and see as much of France as we can while we're still here.  When my parents were visiting, we talked about taking a day trip to Avignon to see the Palais des Papes, but unfortunately the weather just did not...

Hump Day: Vin Chaud

About two months ago I started getting really annoyed that there was no apple cider here.  Not hot, not cold, not anything.  I whined about it a lot (just ask Michael).  I finally bit the bullet and just made my own hot apple cider on the stove whenever the craving hit, and I managed to get through the fall without too many tears. And now it's December and Vin Chaud entered my life, and I could give a flying...

Hump Day: Port Wine in Porto

I think that, by now, you all know how much I love wine.  Living in California and France has given me the opportunity to learn about wine and the wine-making process in real life experiences, which is best way possible.  So when Stéphanie and I took our Girl's Trip to Porto, Portugal, I was really excited to expand my knowledge to a new type of wine about which I knew very little:  Port Wine.  There's a whole...

Hump Day: Vermont Wine

After a wet but lovely day in Burlington during the ECLT, Tessa and I were ready for a glass, er, bottle of wine at The Farmhouse.  We chatted up the bartender and he recommended a local choice, a 2010 Marquette wine from Vermont's own Shelburne Vineyard.  You all know what a wine snob I am, so I was a little hesitant.  But our bartender friend really sold it on me.  Besides, when in Rome... Ya'll, this...

Hump Day: Our New “Special Occasion” Wine

We're getting ready to celebrate lots of special occasions next week as we embark on the East Coast Love Tour.  Tomorrow morning we're heading back to the U.S. to attend not one, but two weddings on the east coast!  We're so excited to spend another week with our dearest friends that will involve sun (hopefully), kickball, beach time, and of course, LOVE. Speaking of special occasions, we've got a new wine for...

Hump Day: Aperitif

Have dinner at any restaurant in France and the first thing they will ask you is, "Désirez-vous un apéritif?"  An aperitif is a refreshing pre-dinner drink that is meant to stimulate the appetite. Usually The Hub and I go straight for the wine, but lately we've been imbibing in a more traditional pre-dinner drink:  the Kir Royale.  We drank a lot of these while we were in Paris with my parents.   I'd...

Hump Day: Getting Out Of Our Comfort Zone

My goodness, apologies for being so quiet over here on the blog.  It's been a whirlwind of packing, traveling, unpacking, and cleaning over here during the last two weeks.  After spending the week in Cannes, I left The Hub behind and jetted off to Paris to spend the weekend with my friends Abby, Stéphanie, and Jimmy.  We had a marvelous time and I am so excited to tell you about a particular meal that we ate at...

Hump Day: Clairette de Die

By now you all know that my lovely girlfriend Melina came to visit last weekend.  Melina is from a small village near Die, France which is about a 3 hour journey northeast of Montpellier.the beautiful ville de die - thank you google earthLike any good house guest, she came bearing a gift!  Some delicious bubbly from her hometown.bubbles!This sparkling wine, Clairette is from her cousin's best friend's...

Hump Day: Estivales

Today I'm finally going to tell you about something we've been enjoying for the last few weeks:  Estivales.  It's a weekly Summer Wine Festival that started in 2008 and takes place here in the center of town every Friday night from 6:30pm -12:30am.  Doesn't that sound awesome?!  Well, it is!  Upon entry, you pay 3€ and get 3 tasting tickets and your very own glass.  The center of town is filled with tons of...

Hump Day: Wine Tasting in Pic Saint Loup

Remember when I told you how much we're digging wines from Pic Saint Loup?  Well, last weekend we decided to rent a car and head out there with a few friends to partake in our first French Wine Tasting Adventure! We chose 3 different vineyards based on our favorite wines and one recommendation from a friend.  We started off at Mas Gourdou which was definitely the highlight of the day (we peaked early).  We had...

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