Showing posts with label wine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wine. Show all posts
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Friday Favorites
Pumpkin Granola via Two Peas & Their Pod
Ok, I've told you guys before it is dangerous for me to have granola in the house. Well, this Pumpkin Granola is no exception. This stuff is DANGEROUS - in the best way possible. I added almonds, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds to the mix before toasting in the oven. I made two packed baking sheets worth and there *might* be about 3/4 of a cup left...in less than two weeks...oops.
Chicken, Corn and Lime Soup via Epicurious
I made this soup a couple of weeks ago when Brian away on a business trip. I made the recipe exactly as is and no joke it fed me for a week. Add a little fresh cilantro, grated cheese and some crushed up tortilla chips and you are livin' the good life.
Red Wine Chocolate Cake via Smitten Kitchen
If there is one thing that you do this weekend - MAKE THIS CAKE. I am not joking. It is hands down one of the best chocolate cakes I have ever had. A coworker of mine thought it was a bit boozy, and while I probably wouldn't give it to your kids, the red wine definitely kicks it up a notch. The cake is super moist and dense without being too rich, and the red wine gives it a subtle spice that you don't normally find in regular chocolate cake. I didn't even put any frosting or powdered sugar or anything on it and it was still amazing. Deb (from Smitten Kitchen) referred to this as "the real red velvet cake" and I say AMEN to that.
What have you been baking or cooking in the kitchen lately? Have you been craving pumpkin and spices ready for fall or are you still trying to hang on to the last few days of summer? Share with me in the comments! Have a great weekend!
Monday, September 12, 2011
A Weekend at the Seaside
When I was growing up, living in the middle of a cornfield, in a town hamlet that had one blinking light, I dreamed of moving to the big city. So I did. First to New York and then to London. And now, the older I get, I find myself dreaming of the country.
The grass is always greener, ay?
My good friend invited me down to her parents house by the seaside in West Sussex. It was the perfect escape that I didn't know I was looking for. A quiet girls weekend away from the hectic city, with long walks on the beach, many bottles of wine and lots and lots of laughs.
The weather was...English. Sometimes it was sunny, sometimes it was raining. Sometimes it was cloudy, sometimes it was clear. And it was always windy. Like I said, it was typically English. We made breakfast and a picnic lunch. We went for a long walk along the beach, braving wind, rain and sun. And we laughed.
We made a big, family style dinner. We ate cookies and candy and popcorn. We had wine and watched TV. We talked and we laughed.
Laughing, is good for the soul.
Friends, are even better.
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Labels:
beach,
england,
go here - now,
hiking,
life,
london,
photography,
road trip,
story,
travel,
wine
Labels:
beach,
england,
go here - now,
hiking,
life,
london,
photography,
road trip,
story,
travel,
wine
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Clos du Gravillas (notes on a vineyard) (they're organic too!)
When we booked our trip to France and decided to fly into Toulouse, a good two and a half hours from our bed and breakfast, we figured this would give us the chance to drive leisurely through the countryside and stop at as many vineyards as possible. We wanted to avoid the motorways and instead drive through small towns and on small roads and drink in as much of France as we could (literally and figuratively).
I reached out to many kind people to try and get appointments at vineyards that would a) find time to give us a tour and tasting during this insanely busy time for them (harvest season was about to kick off) and b) be able to give us said tour and tasting in English. It was no small feat but we were able to get two appointments that afternoon.
Regarding that dream drive...be careful what you wish for.
We wanted a slow, rustic drive through the French countryside? That we got indeed. Our two and a half hour journey quickly morphed into well over three (and probably closer to four) due to directions that took us on small farm roads (not kidding, there were times when we didn't drive on pavement for miles) and more hairpin turns than I care to remember - not to mention the incorrect time the GPS was picking up. All of which meant we were to arrive at our first appointment over an hour late. Luckily our host was gracious and understanding, and welcomed us when we finally arrived.
John Bojanowski, cofounder of Clos du Gravillas (along with this wife, Nicole), met us at the front gate to teach us all about their wines. Explaining that we were newbies to the region, he gave us some history on their vineyards as well as some more information about the area they were located in and the muscat that the region is famous for. Clos du Gravillas has been an organic vineyard now for two years and their mantra is to make the grapes the best they possibly can be, and then let the wine reflect that. Sounds pretty simple, right? It almost sounds too elementary - why wouldn't you let the grapes be the best that they can be? But so many vineyards nowadays chuck loads of chemicals into the soil and on the vines to ward off disease and pests, and pick every grape possible off the vine in order to produce the most amount of wine. Clos du Gravillas is different. They are a small producer and they consciously make the decision to be that way. They heavily prune their vines in order to get better, more concentrated grapes. Once the grapes are perfectly ripe they hand pick the grapes one by one - if it isn't good enough to put in your mouth, they don't put it in their basket. They even stomp their grapes with their own feet once harvested. If nothing else you know you're getting quality, pure wine.
Another unique thing about Clos du Gravillas is the terrain in which the vines grow - in gravel!
(Gravillas means gravel in French, hence the name of the vineyard)
It really was shocking to see flourishing grape vines, heavy with sugary ripe fruit, growing up from fields of white stone gravel. Whatever those little rocks do to the wine it sure is delicious! Currently they have 13 grape varieties growing on their land. These 13 varieties go into six or seven different blends each season - depending on what that seasons yield has been and what other new blends they are working on.
As I mentioned above it was the cusp of harvest season and they were in the middle of clearing out last years production - the wines had been aging for one year and were newly bottled. Labels were being applied, boxes being packed and room was being made for this years harvest. We must have tasted 7 different types of wine that afternoon, along with a muscat and other interesting dessert wines. Our favorites?
White
Emmenez Moi au Bout du Terret
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| au bout du terret |
A more unusual white variety from their other productions, but I think thats what we liked about it. It was light and crisp and tasted like the stones it grew in - but in a good way! I think wine pros call those mineral notes, I call it yummy. This was the wine we were supposed to take on our canoe trip with us, but I enjoyed it relaxing by the pool instead.
Red
Rendez Vous du Soleil
We left John and his winery with a new knowledge of wine making in France, a lesson in producing organically and bellies full of delicious wine (not to mention arms full of a few bottles to savor over the weekend). A big THANK YOU to John for having us and sharing his vineyard with us!
Notes:
Interested in buying some wine from Clos du Gravillas? Check the list here for where to buy - in the US, UK and France
Another big thank you to Christina Pickard, Richard de Fleury, Vanessa Woodfine and Louise Hurren for all of their help trying to get us set up with vineyard appointments - your kindness in helping us is so very much appreciated! Cheers!
Friday, September 02, 2011
Friday Favorites
Hello lovelies!
Thank G it was a short week this week. Recovering from a long weekend getaway is always tough...don't you feel bad for me?
This week was ushered in with bright sunshine and summer weather in the south of France and is exiting out the back with crisp fall temperatures (never mind that its been like that since July) and the start of a new month. A fall month at that. I have been whining for WEEKS about the cool temperatures, crisp chill in the air and having to wear pants and sweaters. Now, to my own defense the reason why I was complaining is because it was supposed to be summer. But now...ooohhh now - it's fall. So - bring on the cold weather, the cozy sweaters, hot apple cider and all things pumpkin. Come and get me fall - I've been practicing for two months!
(unless, of course, by some freak of nature we end up with a gloriously sunny and HOT weekend. Then - screw you fall! I'm breakin' out my flippy floppies and flippin' you the bird!)
(by which I have just officially scared off any chance of summer returning to London)
(you're welcome)
On to this weeks favorites! Chock full of randomness this week...enjoy!
*Weird Wedding Photos
Words cannot express how happy these two wedding photo collections make me. Amen for people taking wedding photos a little less seriously and a little more FUN! I'm not even going to put a teaser photo of them because they are too awesome, you have to look at all of them at the same time. Even if you don't like weddings AT ALL you at least have to check out the first one...I mean really, who can resist zombies?!
**Capes!
In my effort to embrace fall my eyes have been gravitating towards fun, cozy ways to keep warm this season. Always in need of a new jacket I can't help but think that this is the year I finally buy a cape (or poncho, whatever you want to call it). These have been on my radar for a few years now (and in stores all along the high street for ages), but as usual I am late to the party. Though I have to say, if you manage to get yourself a well made, classic piece it is bound to last you for decades. Enter - Burberry. Because really, who does a cape better than Burberry? No one.
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| Burberry Britt from Net-a-porter |
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| Aubin & Wills from Net-a-porter |
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| Jumpjack Twill Poncho from French Connection |
***The 25 Best Ice Cream Shops in the US - by Food & Wine
I am not kidding when I say this - I would base a whole cross country road trip around this list. Watch me, I dare you! Summer - Fall - Spring - Winter - whatever the season I am always down for ice cream! This list is seriously drool-worthy...have a napkin near by before jumping in!
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| 25 Best - does your favorite make the cut? |
A wine map of France a la London tube? Genius! I might need to buy one to frame and one to take with me on trips to France!
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| photo from de long wine |
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Labels:
fashion,
france,
friday favorites,
ice cream,
photography,
road trip,
weddings,
wine
Labels:
fashion,
france,
friday favorites,
ice cream,
photography,
road trip,
weddings,
wine
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Maison Dix
When we decided to travel to the Languedoc region in Southern France our first choice bed and breakfast was already booked for the nights we needed. We were so bummed - where were we going to stay now?? After looking around online and asking our friends and coworkers for suggestions, Maison Dix was recommended to us.
You know how they say things happen for a reason?
Maison Dix happened to us, and the reason why is because it's awesome.
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| Greeting us at the door, one of the resident chow chows |
From the moment we arrived late in the afternoon on Saturday the owners, Erica and John, were warm and welcoming. This English couple uprooted their lives and made the permanent move to Neffies a little over a year ago and seem to be living the dream. Their beautiful old wine makers home has been lovingly restored to the highest standard. The bed and breakfast is comprised of four guest rooms and a guest apartment. They don't except children under the age of 16 so this is a perfect retreat for adults looking for a weekend getaway.
Upon checking in we were brought right up to our rooms so that we could settle in. We stayed on the second floor in the Syrah room (all guest rooms are named after local grape varieties - a cute homage to the buildings history). Our room was spacious, clean and tastefully decorated. The shutters were closed to keep the afternoon sun out and the terra-cotta tile floors helped keep the room nice and cool. The soothing blue grey walls and crisp white linens paired with the dark wood furniture made me want to pack up this room into my overnight bag and take it back to London with me.
Next we were shown around the common areas of the house, starting with the kitchen. Like the guest rooms the kitchen was refinished to the highest standard. The cream cabinets made me swoon at first glance and it had all the modern comforts of home (I nearly screamed with joy when I saw the Nespresso machine available for guests to use) - and guests can make use of an honesty bar for refreshments and treats (and at 1 EURO each it's a steal). The kitchen opens out into a comfortable living room area outfitted with oversized, comfy leather couches and a large table for those (rare) days when the weather prohibits having breakfast out on the patio. There is also a guest den, with a big screen TV (in case you just can't live without football for a few days), a large bookcase filled to the brim and a selection of movies for you to enjoy at your leisure.
After a quick run into town to grab a few necessities before the shops closed we decided to relax on the patio by the pool. There are various tables and sun loungers scattered along the patio from which you can take your pick morning, noon or night. There is an shaded, outside kitchen and living room at the back of the courtyard where you can relax, play some games or chat with other guests. Most mornings breakfast is served on the patio and I can think of no better way to wake up - warm french press coffee, fresh baguettes from the village boulangerie, local yogurts, sun ripened fruit and homemade jams...I'm drooling now just thinking about it.
There is another honesty bar in the outside kitchen area which also contains your complimentary bottle of local rose wine. One of the best moments of our entire weekend trip was spending a hot afternoon lounging by the pool, drinking the rose wine and playing board games. It really doesn't get much better than that.
If you have more time, or are feeling particularly active, you can take advantage of the gym or the bikes that are available for guests to use. We, unfortunately, ran out of both time and energy. Maison Dix is located in the small town of Neffies, which has a boulangerie, a small general store supplying locals with basics (and some of the best cheese we've had in a long time) and a superb restaurant, Les Goutailles, which draws in locals and visitors alike. We heard there was also a local bar, but after several bottles of house wine at dinner, the most we could manage was to stumble back to our home away from home - Maison Dix.
Interested in staying at Maison Dix? Check out their website here! I'd like to give a big THANK YOU to Erica and John for making our stay at Maison Dix warm, welcoming and perfect in every way! We can't wait to return again in the (hopefully) near future! Cheers!
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comments
Labels:
cheese,
england,
france,
go here - now,
photography,
road trip,
travel,
villa,
wine
Labels:
cheese,
england,
france,
go here - now,
photography,
road trip,
travel,
villa,
wine
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