French Wines

I grew up in South Australia's Wine Country, and have always been impartial to a visit to the wineries in Australia. I have done some wine tasting in California too, but in my trips to france I've not yet arranged any local wine tastings at the wineries (although have enjoyed lovely French wine in the restaraunts of France). So I'm left to try the French wines imported to Australia. So on this, the last weekend of Paris in July, I'm treating myself to some wine from Les Vignobles Francaise. I started last night with a bottle of Paul Mas 2008 Merlot from le Pays D'Oc, in the departement of Languedoc in the south of France.

It was a really nice fruity red with the depth and richness I needed on a cold wintery night home alone. As I sat back to enjoy the wine with my simple meal of steamed home grown veggies, I searched out a little information about Paul Mas. I discovered he is a wine maker I already knew. He makes a very affordable and drinkable range called the Arrogant Frog (or in English here). We have this quite a bit at our French classes - and we just love the label design.

Looking around the Paul Mas websites, I enjoyed the chance to read the french, but even more so, loved the pictures I found. There's something ever so regal about the french wine aristocracy. Don't you just love this Chateau? and it's location is just stunning....

So while I'm not in France, but wishing to enjoy a little bit of la vie Francaise, I'll keep a bottle of Paul Mas close at hand, and dream of the day I can actually visit the wineries of South France.

Next week however, I have to make a presentation to my French class about somewhere I'd like to visit in France, and I will be presenting the Champagne Region and cooking a little Champagne Jelly as presented by Gabriel Gate on the Taste of the Tour for Stage 4 of this years Tour de France. I might share some of my presentation here later next week..

Friday Fill-ins #187

Picture from Fifi Flowers (Click on picture to see more)
This is the last weekend of Paris in July

1. I'm going down the garden to dig worms. (does anyone know where that saying comes from?)
1. (alternative) I'm going to post something in French this weekend.
2. I would like it very much if people use these words to describe me one day - adventure and daring.
3. Perhaps today you can make it a point to do something special for someone in need.
4. We all have a little of the true adventurer’s spirit. (we just need to find it and let it out)
5. Compassion is Love in action.
6. I have some goals I will pursue - no matter how difficult.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a glass of French wine, tomorrow my plans include morning tea with a girlfriend to talk gardening, and Sunday, I want to find a special place just for me and my writing.

Check out Friday Fill-ins for more.

Interpreter of Maladies

Pulitzer Prize winner in 2000, Jhumpa Lahiri is truly a great story teller. I have really enjoyed these short stories of Indian people in different places experiencing life and new cultures.

Other bloggers provide great reviews, like Chasing Bawa, Bookbath, and Anuradha Goyal. And google books has also posted segments of the book here. But for me, my love for these stories stems largely from my love and interest in the Indian people.

I have volunteered in a small school in the south of India a couple of times now, and I just love what I do there. I love working with the girls in the school and teaching them more about the world we live in. I think there's something about these short stories that I can relate to because of my experiences in India.

I enjoyed the story 'When Mr Pirzada came to dine' because, in this story, the author demonstrated the mixed hope for new life in a new place, and the distress and grief of leaving the place where family remains. Mr Pirzada found another immigrant Indian family to visit with and to remain connected with the culture he was most comfortable in. Mr Pirzada played a role in teaching the young girl in the house more about the place where her family came from. In the end, Mr Pirzada's returned to India to be with his family.

I also quite liked the last story ' The third and final continent'. the young man who moves from India, to the UK and then to the US, all the while supporting himself while he gets his education. He develops a connection with his elderly land lady, based on the respect you see in many Indian families for their elders. I think I liked this short story because it seemed like he was motivated for change and new things, but he didn't change all things to become 'American'. He remained Indian in his ways.

I found this a great read, just like I enjoyed Unaccustomed Earth.

Paris in July - Week 3 Wrap Up

Wow, time is just flying - we must be having fun! We're now celebrating week 3 of Paris in July, and tonight, as I watch the final stage of the Tour de France coming into the Champs Elysees, I have the job of capturing a glimpse of what's been happening in blogging world this week.

I must say, it's been a blast - visiting all your blogs, and being reminded of great travel memories, being introduced to new travel destinations, being encouraged to read classic and new novels, and being informed about new movies - all based in France or Paris. I'm loving it....

In summary - I've discovered posts in the following broad categories

1. Book reviews - La Fievre, Celui qui m'accompagnait pas, Mrs Harris goes to Paris, Farewell, The most beautiful book in the world, Parisians - an adventure history of Paris, The Elegance of the Hedgehog, and Between Meals - an appetite for Paris.
2. Movie reviews - 2 days in Paris, and Funny Face, a Little Romance, and An American in Paris
3. Holiday Memories from Chat Noir, Chasing Bawa, The Literary Stew, The Marmalade Gypsy, and Timeless Romance
4. Other ideas - Cooking and the Tour de France, and Matisse on Exhibition.
   

I'd like to make a special mention of My Spring Show - because she has posted a great post on 'things I learnt from Paris in July'. Also the Literary Stew, who actually went to Paris in July and visited some foody places. Timeless Romance has continued to post each week on her trip to France and has taken us all along the journey with her.

And the winner this week (drawn from a hat) is Anni from Almost Insider.
Felicitations Anni!
Next week Karen at Bookbath will be doing the Wrap Up post - so keep up the amazing contributions, and I look forward to what's next!

Friday Fill-ins #186

1. I feel, somtimes, that the world is moving too fast,
2. and I'm always trying to catch up.
3. Do I keep trying, or find my own pace?
4. After all, I am completely unique.
5. It's hard to know how much effort other people put in,
6. Who else follows suit.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to visiting friends in Canberra, tomorrow my plans include a bike ride and watching the tour de france, and Sunday, I want to shop!

Goats Cheese Tart - French Food

Last weekend my friends and I had plans to celebrate (belatedly) Bastille Day with a feast. I was in charge of the champagne, entree and desert, and my friend was in charge of the vin rouge, main meal and after dinner cheese. So I searched of a typically french Bastille recipe. So I decided on these items:

• Grant Burge Pinot Noir Chardonnay - this is a beautiful South Australian sparkling white wine
• Caramelised Red Onion and Goats Cheese Tart - No, my tart didn't look like the one in the photo, but it was certainly tres delicieux!
• Pouding au Citron avec Grand Marnier - this was just a wonderful ending to a very full rich french meal -and it used up some of my many fresh lemons.

My friend choose to provide

• A South Australian Silver Label Shiraz (cant remember the Wine Maker, but it was very complimentary)
  
• Coq au vin avec legumes - a very rich and deeply flavoursome full meal
• Blue Costello and Jindi Brie with crackers.

Traditionally in France, Bastille Day is a summer celebration, and often a day time activity. So celebrating in Australia means we need to find food that suits a winter evening meal. I think between us, we were able to achieve a great feast - only outdone by the great company and superb conversation.

Coco avant Chanel (DVD)

'When a woman cuts her hair, she's about the change her life'

Wow, this quote will stick in my memory for a while - I don't think Coco wanted the change she got that day (she lost the love of her life), but what followed turned out to be a life to be celebrated.The DVD cover reads

From rags to riches to haute-couture: the incredible story of Coco Chanel. In a remarkable tour de force portrayal, the lovely Audrey Tautou becomes the legendary style icon Coco Chanel. From her humble beginnings at a French country orphanage to the extravagant heights of Parisian society. Chanel's indomitable creative spirit was expressed as a dance hall singer, seamstress, social rebel and fashion icon. Benoit Poelvoorde and Alessandro Nivola portray the men of wealth and elegance infatuated with the multi-faceted Coco Chanel, whose vision and style - inspired by fashion and fueled by passion - paved a daring new way for modern women to look, dress and live their lives

For me, this story was inspiring, challenging and amazing. I actually knew nothing about Coco Chanel before watching this. In fact, I was probably anti Chanel as a big name in fashion, an industry that often counter acts everything I believe in environmentally. But I have learnt something new - Coco Chanel survived to live a dream, achieve amazing heights, because she believed in her self, did not accept the every day rules set out for her, and she made her own rules. This makes her a hero for me.

The movie was also exceptionally made, nothing was amiss, a mon avis, from cinematography, scenery, costumes and the acting. Audrey, encore, performs impeccably and stunningly. I love the way she can say so much, with so few words, just with her eyes.

On my DVD I also have some extra features, of which I really enjoyed the actors and other parts of the movie team talking about the research they had to do to get it all right.

A great movie, and even better if you can watch it in french , sans subtitles. Highly recommended for Paris in July.... Dont forget to visit Karen's blog to see this weeks round up.