Written on Monday, May 11th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Drome, local produce, wine
Sometimes you can land yourself in it following on from conversations with friends.
Random exchanges and chats with Anne (during her recent wet and cold trip wine tasting to the Languedoc) means that I have set myself a challenge for food and wine weekends here at Chateau Colombier.
My plan is to create 26 “amuses bouches” (little tasters – think tapas) to go with 26 different regional wines and drinks.
Why 26? Because that’s the number of the department of the Drome.
I’m very happy for visitors to help – in ideas, in preparation, in sourcing products and wines, in wine and food tasting, and for the photos and tasting notes.
Written on Monday, September 17th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
calanques, sea, wine
No, not the blackcurrent stuff that you add to white wine to make a Kir, but the bustling little fishing village just 30 minutes east of Marseille.
I can’t believe it’s taken me 4 years to discover it. The area is known for the Calanques – the limestone cliffs and little coves. The village itself has a marina, a couple of sandy beaches, and loads of fish restaurants.
We stayed at the Hotel Liautaud right by the sea. Basic but clean. It has parking but you need to book it. Had a great fish dinner at chez gilbert (phone for a reservation); and a blanc de blanc 2006 from the donaine du paternel.
We’ll be back – it’s nice to swim in the sea (especially outside the main season); take a boat ride; eat well. Next time we’ll fit in some wine tasting to take back to the cave at Le Colombier
Written on Monday, November 27th, 2006 at 6:14 pm
restaurants, wine
OK, so I just can’t resist the chance to go out and eat. It’s Sue and Graham’s last night – so they’re off to the Charette Bleue. I’d originally said no … but with a little nudge my resolve crumbled.
Not that I have to go far – this restaurant is literally 50 metres away from Le Colombier. So no worrying about who has to drive.
It’s great food. When Martin is around (to follow the Tour de France – another story) he has a standing (or should that be sitting?) reservation.
…..
a little later
so what did I choose? I went for the 24 euro menu (so sharing a bottle of wine between three of us my bill came to 30 euros). Graham went for the garlic mussels (think snails in garlic butter, but substitute small shelled mussels, and serve like the snails in those little dishes with 6 to 8 holes and you get the picture … great way to get your fix of garlic butter; you could also substitute mushrooms and get the same effect). But I resisted as I wanted to try a new starter of warm poached pears served with soft fresh goats cheese, lightly grilled to warm through and just slightly brown, served on the mandatory mixed leaves, and a drizzle of rich balsamic vinegar reduction. Really good!
As I was trying to stick to the lowest price menu I skipped over the fillet of venison (like steak, you have to decide whether you want it saignant, a point or bien cuit) – served with chestnuts and a thick pumpkin puree. I also said no to the lamb, the cod, the tajine of monkfish and prawns … and happily tucked into a roasted stuffed supreme (fillet) of guinea fowl served with quince crisps and on a bed of lightly stir fried savoy cabbage and bacon bits. (On the cheapest menu yes, but I didn’t feel at all deprived).
And then time for cheese; local goats cheeses, reblochon, munster, a blue cheese. Well, we had to finish off the bottle of 2004 domaine de moulin Vinsobres..
Still on the pear theme, I had an amazingly tender poached pear in its individual almond sponge dessert, served with pear ice-cream in a little brandy snap basket.
It’ll be soup for the rest of the week.
Written on Monday, November 27th, 2006 at 12:13 am
restaurants, wine
Got to be the best restaurant in Nyons. And beats anywhere I’ve eaten in London. So what did I have yesterday?
Aperitif served with olives, and nibbles of quails eggs, olive madeleines, and a small chilled soup of broccoli and cauliflower. Then an amuse-bouche of a “canneloni” of squid stuffed with boudin (white blood sausage – but made with the squid ink; sounds weird but was really good). As a starter I had the partridge stuffed with foie gras; I went for the veal as the main. And a dessert of citrus fruits – pink grapefruit sorbet, gingerbread, poached clementine …
And to drink, an aperitif of cremant de die with apricot liqueur and cinammon; a dry white Vacqueras with the starter; and a glass of Domaine des Rieux Freres (Sainte Jalle) cabernet sauvignon. The red was really full on! The vineyard is about 15 kilometres from Le Colombier into the mountains. They do a good white as well as everyday “bag in the box” wines.
One of the things I really like about food here is that it is based on fresh seasonal food. Mind you, it helps to be adventurous and be prepared to try new things. And anyway, it’s market research to recommend places for my clients to go and try for themselves.
Written on Wednesday, November 22nd, 2006 at 9:33 pm
activities, restaurants, wine
Autumn’s been really mild so far this year and the colours are amazing. If you haven’t been here this time of the year before, you really don’t expect it.
So we took a day out today and drove up through the mountains to Saillans, on the banks of the Drome. Last time I was there was earlier in August with a group, for a day’s canoeing and kayaking. There was a bit more water this time, far fewer people, and it was much colder! And the call of the plat de jour at le Tunnel was more appealing than a wet suit and a guaranteed capsize or two!
The bill for lunch came to under 30 euros for 2 – for a salmon tart starter, cardomum beef with bean sprouts, and lemon pie, bread and wine.
The area round Saillans and Die is known for its sparkling wines – the Cremant and Clairette de Die. So of course we stopped off at the vineyard of Jean-Claude Raspail (www.raspail.com) to stock up the cave for Christmas. Family owned, the production is all organic, with state of the art production facilities. After tasting the wines, practising my french, and being given a tour of the facilities, we loaded our goodies into the car and set off back.
So even at the end of November, there’s plenty to do here. If you want reviews of the wines, see Cork’d (www.corkd.com and the username chateaucolombier).