Burgundy in September: A Wine Tour of France!

Burgundy in September: Tour France through Wines!September in Burgundy is the grape harvest. Our group was here for that. We're in Burgundy. There was one day of sunny harvest and one day of rainy harvest. Production of grapes for 2012 is much lower due, in part, to the weather this year.This first post is a few group shots of what we've done. We've sampled small production wines in caves, homes and restaurants. The restaurants have been quite special with dishes such as roast breast of duck with cassis and poached lobster in a red wine butter with baby vegetables.First a Champagne reception in Paris on the Left Bank.Luxembourg Gardens on day 1. We walked the Left Bank --visited 12th century streets, toured the gardens as well as St Sulpice and one of the covered passages. After our gourmet lunch in a Michelin starred restaurant, we visited the Place de la Concorde, the Louvre, the Tuileries gardens, and the Pont des Arts.Champagne first followed by a dinner at Bernard l'Oiseau. Off a side street in one of Burgundy's best wine towns.One of our favorite main courses was a line caught roasted fish filet served on a bed of black risotto, topped with squid, tomato and grilled chorizo. I am always partial to the flavors of Southern France --even when dining in Paris! Wine tasting in Nuits St George, of wines from the Haute Cote de Nuits led by Charly. Next up: October in Chateauneuf du Pape and Provence. Ask us about that trip (we have one room left) or talk to us about Provence or Burgundy 2013. Last year sold out 6 months in advance.

wendy jaeger 2/9/12 wendy jaeger 2/9/12

How to Have a Great Lunch in Paris...Off The Beaten Track

Everyone wants that little, special, "we're the only tourists there and the chef is soooooo good, but without all the pomp and circumstance" bistrot. But, here's the thing. Not everyone finds it. Why? Because unless you know someone, or live in Paris, or go there a dozen times a year, you just aren't going to be in the know. You're going to know what the guide books know. Unless, of course, you experience "Bliss" as we did today!Our favorite "private" chef in Paris treated us to a new treasure!(Bliss Travels clients have tasted his amazing creations --everything from goat cheese flan with roasted tomatoes to chicken roulade stuffed with foie gras in a mason jar on a bed of seasoned vegetables, plus a side dish of cold artichoke and vinaigrette, accompanied by starters of homemade breadsticks and an eggplant dip. Not to be outdone, dessert was a roasted and caramelized pineapple with homemade nougat. And we're talking a PICNIC he made for one of our train rides....So, yep, you get it now, don't you? So, when he said, "Allons Y" or Let's go, we did! Tout de suite!)Off the beaten track. Great chef. Warm welcome. So fun, we closed the place down. (Sorry, Chef, next time we'll peel carrots to help with the mise en place for the dinner service!) Christian, Pierre and Serge along with their wonderful staff made us feel utterly at home!First course was a boudin terrine with chestnuts, and a great, salad.After came a pintadeau with thyme, on a bed of lentils, carrots and parsnip. Lardons bits were cooked with the lentils, and potatoes on top were like nowhere else! There was also veal chop, cooked rare, topped vegetables and in a black truffle jus....oh, ho hum. I know you have this every day!Just to put the icing on the cake, as it were, we were treated to an outstanding view, and we learned that our chef is willing to give private lessons to Bliss Travels Clients!

wendy jaeger 10/23/11 wendy jaeger 10/23/11

Food

Bliss and all things culinary....

Fall meals, casual and gastronomic, from our week in France...Anyone want to know what wines we like to pair with these dishes? Which one pairs with a Muscat de Beaume de Venise, and which one a Rose? Which one can stand up to a red?

Moules!Rascasse a la ProvencaleThe cheese and olive bread, meringues, and pastries from the best place in town!