And what if we all just ate grapes and called it a day? Our dog, Braise (brez). Today’s word is "faim!" (That’s right: "faim exclamation point".) There’s so much to tell you but I’m afraid we’ll only skim the surface of this French soup as I’ve got fruit farmers to feed! More, in today’s column, below. … Continue reading faim
Mr. Espinasse, king of the vines in his grenache-tinted "robe". There’s a flurry, flurry, flurry of activity here at the moment with soon-to-be hungry harvesters who’ve just been handed the reins (make that "vines"). I’ll let the pickers steer those grapes into the buckets today while I catch up on our column below…before popping into the kitchen to scream "What on earth am I going … Continue reading vendange
Our twelve-year-old vigneron/vine farmer, Max. Hello from the blustery Vaucluse where the Mistral wind is harvesting the grapes for us! All we have to do is get down on our hands and knees and scour the dirt floor for the fallen fruit! It’s a sticky, scratchy business but with a sweet return (we hope). The harvesters arrive on Sunday night — in the meantime, my … Continue reading imprévu
The sign says "Products from the beehive". Picture taken in Serre Chevalier. The Ultimate French Review and Practice: Mastering French Grammar for Confident Communication abeille (ah-bay) noun, feminine bee La diligente abeille n'a pas de temps pour la tristesse.The busy bee has no time for sorrow. –William Blake. Thank heavens the vines are abuzz once again! And, no, it isn't the grape … Continue reading abeille
Note: the first label was made by a graphic artist–the second and third were pasted together by Jean-Marc during a brainstorming session. Leave your comments (and read others’ opinions here). more at twiigs.com… Continue reading Wine Label Poll
A Frenchman’s photo fit for a French wine label? Well, that was a mouthful. But will it make an eyeful? French Demystified…simple enough for a beginner but challenging enough for a more advanced student… Check out the book, here. un avis (ah-vee) noun, masculine 1. opinion; notice; advice [From Old French "ce m’est à vis" ("this seems good to me")] Je donne mon avis non … Continue reading avis
Wine label design…in today’s edition…and how you might help decide (or even design!) our vineyard’s first "étiquette." Click here to check out what people are saying about these labels and add your own comments. Whatever you do, please cast your vote, below! étiquette (ay-tee-ket) noun, feminine 1. label; docket; price tag 2. protocol, etiquette, formality Le BONHEUR ou le malheur ne sont que des étiquettes … Continue reading etiquette
Our vineyard has a new name…more in today’s story. Check out "The Joy of Man’s Desiring" a book by Jean Giono sobriquet (so-bree-kay) noun, masculine nickname Le hasard est un sobriquet de la Providence. Chance is a nickname for Providence. –Chamfort. When Jean-Marc asked if I had an idea for a name, I blurted out the first thing that … Continue reading sobriquet
Today’s unrelated-to-the-story photo: Mussels conquering the western shores of France, in Brittany. vaincre (vehn-kr) verb 1. to defeat, to beat, to vanquish 2. to overcome; to conquer On ne peut vaincre sa destinée.We cannot conquer destiny. –Jean Racine. A stranger camped out in our driveway over the weekend. I had offered him the couch, but Jean-Marc insisted that the man, who went by "Vincent,"* would … Continue reading vaincre
Herbs-n-spices for a melting pot… For those of us who studied French a few years ago, or many, but still get stuck when it comes to speaking: "Tune Up Your French" by Natalie Schorr. un creuset (kreuh-zay) noun, masculine 1. a crucible, well, hearth 2. a difficult "épreuve" or "test" (ordeal) 3. a melting pot Lorsque les gens choisissent de s’assimiler, on peut parler de…creuset…s’ils … Continue reading creuset
