Honey Apple Muffins

4 large eggs, beaten

1 cup honey

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 cup granulated sugar

1-1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1-1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

6 medium Empire or Cortland apples, peeled, cored and diced

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 medium Empire or Cortland apple, peeled, cored and sliced into 24 thin crescents

Pre-heat oven to 350 F. Grease 24 muffin tins or line them with paper muffin cups. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, honey, oil and 1 cup of sugar. In another bowl, stir together whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder and baking soda. Stir the flour mixture and the diced apples into the egg-honey mixture just until mixture moistened and smooth. Do not over-stir. Divide mixture evenly into 24 muffin tins. In a small bowl, stir together cinnamon, nutmeg and 2 tablespoons sugar. Add apple slices and gently toss to coat. Place an apple slice on the top of each muffin. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Makes 24 muffins.

Honey Mustard Waldorf Chicken Salad

1/4 cup honey

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

1/2 teaspoon grated zest of lemon

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 cups cooked chicken breast, cubed

2 Gala apples, cored and diced

1 cup diced celery

1/4 cup minced green onion

1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds

Stir together honey, mustard, poppy seeds, lemon peel, juice and oil. Toss in chicken, apple, celery, green onions and almonds. Serves 2 as a main dish or 4 as a side dish.

Apple Caramel Bars

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup butter

2 large eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 Golden Delicious apples, cored and diced

1 cup caramel candies, unwrapped and cut into quarters

1/2 cup chopped nuts

Pre-heat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan. In a mixing bowl combine 1 cup flour and 1/4 cup brown sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Pour mixture into prepared baking pan and evenly into bottom of pan. Bake 10 minutes. In a mixing bowl beat eggs, vanilla, 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup flour. Stir in apples, caramels, and nuts. Pour over bottom crust. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden. Cool about 5 minutes and while still warm cut into bars. Cool completely before serving. Makes 16 bars.

Boudin Blanc (White Sausage with Apples)

This is a traditional dish from Normandy, France, made with Calvados, an apple-flavored liqueur. If you don’t have Calvados, substitute apple juice or apple cider with a splash of cooking sherry.

1/3 cup unsalted butter

4 Macintosh apples, cored and quartered

8 boudin blanc or other mild, white sausages, pricked

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup Calvados

Pre-heat oven to 350 F. In a large skillet, heat half the butter over moderate heat. Add the quartered apples and cook, turning, until golden and just tender. In another skillet heat the remaining butter over moderate heat. Add the sausages and cook, turning, until lightly browned. In a shallow baking dish, arrange the sausages and the apples, sprinkle with the Calvados and bake for 20 minutes or until juices run clear and sausage is cooked through. Serves 4.

Apple Cranberry Pie

1 pie crust for a 9-inch, deep dish, double crust pie

1 cup fresh cranberries

3 cup apples, peeled, cored and sliced

1 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter

Pre-heat oven to 400 F. Combine cranberries, apples, sugar, flour and salt. Mix well. Pour into crust. Dot all over with small bits of butter. Cover with top crust, crimp decoratively. Cut vents in top of crust for steam to escape. Bake 50 minutes or until apples are tender and crust is golden. Serves 6 to 8.

Mimi Cummins is food editor of FinerKitchens.com, an online store featuring gourmet cookware, bakeware, cooks’ tools and tableware.

Mimi is also webmaster of SeasonalRecipes.com, where you can find many other autumn recipes and recipes for every season.

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For main courses a variation of chicken in a cream sauce can be found on most menus as well as cream which plays an important part in many of the sauces whether it on poultry, veal or steak. Pork in cider or calvados is another dish which originated in Calvados and Caux areas. If you are staying in the South look out for ‘Pre Sale’ Lamb, this lamb reared on the salt plains around the Bay of Mont St Michel gives the meat a delicate extra taste. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous and don’t mind eating offal, why not try Tripes a la Mode de Caen. Alternatively, Vire is famous for its chitterling (Andouille) and in Mortagne au Perche the Black Pudding is a speciality. Finally, around the Seine Valley they have a particular cross breed of duck which produces a more meaty bird called Canard Rouennais.

However, Normandy is best known for its cheeses. Camembert is probably the best known internationally and although it originated from the village of the same name near Vimoutiers it is produced throughout the Region. You can find hard, soft, creamy and other varieties of Camembert so do look carefully at the label for your preferred choice. Other cheeses slightly less known are Livarot and Pont L’Eveque which both come from Calvados as well as Neufchatel from Seine Maritime. Finally, but certainly not least, the most famous dessert is apple tart with the addition of a little flambéed Calvados. Wash all this down with a glass of Cider and you are bound to leave the restaurant satisfied. Bon appetite. The Author Franchesca Denning runs a French holiday rentals website, they have exclusive Normandy holidays and even holiday cottages in normandy.

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Eau-De-Vie

This term is French for “water of life,” and includes a wide range of colorless fruit brandies. Stone fruit, such as cherries, plums, apricots, and peaches, are most frequently used, but berries also flavor some of the best-known eau-de-vie. The fruits generally have so much natural sugar that the mash reaches 40 percent alcohol content by Volume, or 80 proof, during fermentation, so extra sugar is needed. ()ne of the best-known examples is kirsch, or French cherry eau-de-vie, also called Kirschwasser in Germany. It is produced from fully ripe fermenting cherries or from their juice, without any additional sugar and alcohol.

Plums are another popular ingredient for flavoring eau-de-vie across europe. In Alsace, for example, blue plum eau-de-vie is called quetsch. In Germany, Zwetschgenwasser and Pflaumenwasser respectively are produced from ripe or fermenting blue or red plums. Mirabellenwasser is a spirit distilled from ripe yellow plums in Germany without the addition of extra sugar and alcohol.

Eaux-de-vio made from quinces and apricots are also enjoyed, low-sugar fruits, such as raspberries, blackberries, and black currants, are at the heart of some equally popular eaux-de-vie. Their low-sugar content, however, means alcohol must be added to them before distillation, otherwise fermentation will not take place. Framboise, from France, has a mild, sweetish taste. Cassis, made from black currants, is combined with white wine to make Kir, the popular aperitif originally from Burgundy.

Poire William is an aromatic eau-de-vie, distilled from Williams pears. It has a soft flavor and a sweetish scent, liopical fruit eaux-de-vie are produced from bananas, mandarins, mangoes, passion fruit, and papayas.

Other Fruit Spirits

Another well-known fruit spirit is Calvados, an apple brandy made horn the cider produced in Normandy in France. Under French law, the name “Calvados” can only be applied to distillations of cider vhich come from 11 specific areas. After distillation, Calvados is .lored in oak or chestnut barrels and matured for at least two years. I he older Calvados is, the more velvety and aromatic its taste.

The color is amber to cognac brown. Calvados is a perfect digestive. calvados producers use a labeling system, similar to those on cognac and Armagnac, to indicate how long the spirit has aged in oak barrels. Three stars means at least two years; Vieux, Reserve, at least 3 years; V.O, Vieille Reserve, or V. S. O. P, at least 4 years; Extra or X. O, Napoleon, Hor’s d’Age, and Age Inconnu, at least 6 years.

Other apple spirits, which can not be labeled as Calvados, are known as eau-de-vie de pomme, apple brandy, or aquardiente di sidre in Spain. In the United States, applejack is a domestic example of an apple brandy from Austria and Germany, Obstler is made from freshly fermented tipples or pears, or a combination of both. The fruit variety must be listed on the label, and most brands are between 80 and 100 proof.

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Working in travel most my life, Europe became a frequent destination, and I never had the desire to visit the battlefields of Normandy. When traveling I gravitate towards the exciting, fascinating and fun places, not somber. So when he said Normandy, my hopes of a terrific vacation withered away. Noticing how much this meant to him, I conceded with one request; if we could stay in the Abbey at Mont Saint Michel I would agree to the battlefields of Normandy.

So there it was, the deal was made, so we traded in accumulated miles for airline tickets to France. We arrived early morning into Paris, caught the rail to historic Caen (pronounced Cah) picked up our rental car and set out for the medieval city of Bayeux (pronounced Bay-you). It was difficult to admit but driving the country roads to our destination was not what I expected. Green, lush, cute little horse ranches and endless apple orchards scattered through small rolling hills.

As we drove into the village of Bayeux it felt quite nostalgic. It reminded me the Southern California coastline in the ’60’s and 70’s. Lively beyond measure with tourists poking through boutique style shops, taking pictures of quaint periodic buildings from old French history. Locals and tourists alike were sitting at small tables, sipping coffee or relaxing with a local beer at a sidewalk cafe. Bayeux, known for housing the largest tapestry in the world, which I will mention later, I found, was charming and inviting.

We checked into our hotel, The Grand Hotel du Luxembourg, deposited our luggage and headed to town to see some of the sights. We walked down the narrow streets lined with markets that had boxes of fresh colorful produce placed outside their doors with vibrant awnings protecting them. Restaurants were filled with joyful travelers, shops selling a bounty of interesting and fun items, and windowsills filled with summer flowers tended by locals who lived above the businesses. There was a busy little Brasserie down the street from our hotel filled with college students singing, dancing and swilling beer. It looked like fun but we decided to try out a little cafe along the picturesque L’Aure River. After a long day of travel and a good meal, we decided to go back to the hotel to rest up for a busy itinerary the next day.

We woke up early, had a nice continental breakfast at the hotel, then hopped in the car for a short drive to Omaha Beach. What struck me most about this very historic attraction is how peaceful, and beautiful it was. The beach looked like it could have been a quarter mile wide was filled with families. Children ran through the crumbling of small foamy waves, built sand castles, and picnicked with their parents under brilliant colored umbrellas, while others played with dogs eager to fetch hurled Frisbees. The surrounding hills that melted onto the beach were covered in poppy type flowers in a fusion of color with reds, yellow, purple, and white. But, within this tranquil setting are the remnants of a horrid past, D Day. The remains of bunkers that Nazi Germany had built filled the hillside. Walking through these buildings you can see how Rommel strategically planned for battle, concrete walls that protected troops from oncoming arsenal, and protective windows for the soldiers to shoot at their targets. There were over 34,000 U.S. troops storming the beaches that day, along with Canadian and British troops on other nearby beaches. More than 3000 soldiers lost their lives in Normandy that day fighting for freedom. Even though this war was fought long ago in Europe, I have nothing but gratitude for what these young men were willing to give their lives for.

Next we went to the American Cemetery at Omaha, an interesting place indeed. A peaceful park like setting with the deep blue hew of the English Channel as a backdrop. There are 9383 graves, and the cemetery covers 172 acres. Headstones of white marble crosses or Star’s of David in perfect symmetrical lines have the names of soldiers and their ranks etched into the marble. Filled with tourists of all nationalities, you could tell how deeply moved some of them were. For some, they came to lay flowers on the graves of their father, brother, grandfather, or friend that was lost so long ago. Others were there to remember World War II, and hopes for a better future. Still some came to relive that infamous day. As I watched these people I was filled with quiet reflection and curiosity. I wanted to know these men, who they were and what they were like. To thank them for their courage and tell them they made a difference in the world. It was a very moving experience.

Also on our schedule was Pointe du Hoc famous for the preemptive airstrike by the U.S. 8th Air Force Bombers and the British Air Command. With the German’s well protected in their thick concrete bunkers, the Americans and Brits took to the skies and bombarded the landscape to make way for ground troops to move in and take over the hills of Normandy. On this cliff that looks towards both Omaha and Utah beaches, is now a sprawling park still littered with craters left by the shelling of war. The park now is filled with children happily racing each other to be the first one to explore remains of the nearest bunker while parents take in the history of that day which changed the course of WW II. We had fun poking around the deep craters and discovering how extensive the bunkers were with their network of trenches.

It was time to head back to Bayeux; driving through the winding roads of the French countryside was a highlight for me. The commute back has you wandering through scenic half-timbered villages with flashy geraniums growing in planter boxes outside the open, second story windows, and busy cafes filled with locals and tourists getting to know each other. Stopping in some of these small hamlets you will discover they have humble museums with assorted World War II Memorabilia. Check out different armed force uniforms from the U.S., Germans, and the French Resistance, original artillery, old rusted tanks and letters to loved ones far away. Along the roads you often see equestrians blissfully riding on elegant horses by the road and through the rich green countryside. Then stop at one of the many farms to buy fresh local produce.

The next morning after a quick breakfast we set out to explore Calvados County. Calvados, a region in Normandy, is also a distilled liquor made from fermented apples that has an exquisite taste of brandy with a hint of fruit. Traveling to the Calvados farms is much like traveling through wine country with taste testing throughout the region. They will usually start you out with a 3 year old bottle then end with the best quality at 30 years old or more. The producers of Calvados take great pride in their blends of up to 25 different varieties of apples and spices, and enthusiastically want you to sample all they have to offer. Although my husband was captivated with Calvados they also have apple cider made fresh on the farm, it was sweet, refreshing, and the most flavorful apple juice I personally have tasted.

Back in Bayeux there is an outstanding historical document woven into the largest tapestry in the world. This amazing piece tells the story of William the Conqueror in detail. From his humble beginnings to the defeat of his cousin Harold of Wessex on October 14, 1066, it is all recorded on this 231ft. cloth. Some say that William’s wife Matilda embroidered the tapestry but more probable would be William’s half brother Bishop Odo of Bayeux. They reasoned he wanted to display the history of his family in the Bayeux Cathedral. With 58 stories woven into the tapestry you will see how William the illegitimate son of a prestigious Duke became the King of England. This was right after Harold was killed by the sword during the Battle of Hastings. This well-preserved chronicle is one of the best resources of history found in Europe. Be sure to pick up the audio headset for approximately 8 Euro.

After visiting the tapestry we wandered through the narrow streets of Bayeux walking hand in hand, taking in the atmosphere of this medieval village. After stopping for a Cappuccino and Chocolate Croissant we walked down to the L’Aure River. Lined with leafy trees, and antiquated buildings where you can see historic wooden waterwheels still in use today. Walking over small Roman styled bridges we felt carefree and relaxed while experiencing this wonderful place. Heading back to the hotel we decided to poke through the many shops of Bayeux, we found intricate lace made by local artisans who attended the Conservatoire De L Dentelle De Bayeux. This conservatory has handed down the art of lace work since the 17th century. Other great finds were one of a kind hand painted porcelain, tapestry, and creative pottery. The town does not lack for touristy souvenirs either. Bayeux also has a Saturday Market filled with fresh picked produce and local crafts at Place Saint Patrice. If you like to shop for regional specialties be sure to stop by.

Bayeux, is easy to navigate on your own, but for those who like to have information and maps in hand you will find current information at the Information Center on rue Saint Jean by the L’Aure River. The staff has good advice as to where to go and what to see. If you are looking for guided excursions to historical sites, Calvados tasting, or even a classic French Cuisine cooking class, they can help. You might notice most of their brochures are printed in French, most speak enough English to convey what you need as far as getting to your destination and what to do once you get there. You will also find more information at http://www.strictlyeurope.com

A vacation in Normandy was not what I expected. Charming, and beautiful beyond compare coupled with an educational aspect, this region is a treasure that has become a family favorite that we will visit again and again.

Nancy Pitman has been in the travel industry for over 20 years who has a passion for Europe and has started up her own website Strictly Europe. She is dedicated in sharing information to help travelers in all aspects of travel. Visit Strictly Europe where you can download Travel Guides for destinations throughout Europe at http://www.strictlyeurope.com

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calories per serving: 685

preparation time: 30 minutes + chilling

cooking time: 50 minutes

Suitable for freezing

Christmas recipe ingredients:

* white flour, plain 175 g (6 oz)
* butter, 225 g (8oz)
* caster sugar, 124 g (4 oz)
* orange, grated rind and juice from 1
* egg yolk, 1
* prunes, no-soak pitted 225 g (8 oz)
* eating apple, 1
* calvados, 60 ml (4 tbsp)
* almonds, ground 25 g (8 oz)
* eggs, beaten 2
* almonds, slivered or flaked 25 g (1 oz)
* apricot jam, 125 g (4 oz)
* Greek yogurt or fresh cream

Christmas recipe instructions:

1. Food process grated orange rind, caster sugar (25 g, 1 oz), chilled diced butter (125 g, 4 oz). Continue until like breadcrumbs, then pour into a bowl.
2. Blend mixed egg yolk and water (30 ml, 2 tbsp) into the mixture from step 1 and form a ball. Cover and chill for about 30 minutes.
3. Pour grated apple and chopped prunes over the calvados. Mix the remaing caster sugar, beaten eggs, ground almonds with the remaining butter (melted).
4. Line a 9 inch tin (1.25 inch deep with loose base) with thin rolled pastry . Bake until set.
5. Take the almond mixture from step 3 and add the prunes and apples. Sprinkle with almonds and bake for 30 minutes at gas mark 5 (190 degrees centgrade, 375 F) or until a light brown color. Cool for about 20 minutes.
6. Sieve a mixture of melted jam and orange juice (15 ml, 1tbsp) and brush over the top of the cooked tart. Serve cold or warm with fresh cream or greek yogurt.

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Many sites are found with information as to what apartments are up for rent, where they are located, how much they are per night or week, and so on. Just about any question can be answered, as well as an apartment in any location. There are places to stay that are near the water, for those who wish to spend time at the beach. For the avid shoppers, there are apartments located in the city too. Websites will guide a prospective renter through all the steps needed to finalize an apartment rental in Normandy, France.

There are holiday apartment rentals available in any of these five departments, and usually for any season. A typical site used to locate an apartment rental in Normandy, France is set up with a map of the five departments in Normandy. Once the choice is made as to which department is desired, the name is clicked on with the mouse and a page with a search box appears. This will allow the arrival and departure dates to be entered, to check availability. There are also boxes to enter a price range, in case there is a strict budget for the holiday rental.

In order to refine the search even more, there is a list of criteria to choose from. This list includes; the number of bedrooms desired, how many people the place can sleep, how many bathrooms are available, and the property type being searched for. To be even more in depth, there are guest facilities that can be added to the list of criteria as well. Choices among these include; air conditioning, pool, garden, dishwasher, barbecue, internet access, parking, and washing machine. The list of criteria doesn’t end there though, even specific accessibility and locations can be chosen.

After all the criteria has been chosen, the matching listings will appear. These listings include pictures of the apartments, how much they are per night or for the week, and the reviews given on the property.

There is a button to check details and availability of the property and a place to contact the owner as well. When the button labeled “details and availability” is clicked, a new page is displayed with more pictures of the property, as well as an in-depth description of it, and location information. Also included on this page is the distance from the nearest airport, ferry, train, motorway, beach, and anything else of importance.

Calendars are provided on this availability page, in order to display all available and unavailable dates for the apartment. Any additional information will be listed on this page as well, such as if towels and linens are provided, if a car is necessary, whether or not pets are allowed, or if the cost of gas and electricity are included with the rental price.

Even the language spoken by the owner is listed, right below the owner’s telephone number and directly above the length of time the owner has been listing properties with the website being viewed.

Insurance and cancellation policies are listed on this page, along with contact information for the owner. Inquiries can be made on the availability page, by entering in the pertinent information the owner will need such as; contact information, arrival and departure dates, the number of people staying at the property, and a message to the owner. All of the reviews posted about this property are displayed in a list form, with the date of stay posted at the top of the review.

This website even has a section of special offers, where rentals for a discounted price are listed. The search engine feature allows for quick listing of criteria, which helps to weed out properties that won’t be suitable. Being able to contact a property owner with questions is always helpful, especially when the owner is located in a completely different country. Finding a holiday apartment rental in Normandy, France can be easy and completely stress free, with all the advancements in internet technology today. Before making reservations, it is a good idea to make sure all travel arrangements are in order, especially when it comes to passports and other legal documentation needed to travel.

Apartment Rental Normandy

Holidays in Normandy

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The Location

Nowadays it’s easier than ever before to get across to France for a visit. Normandy is particularly easy, with a vast choice of traditional and super-fast ferries and the 35 minute Eurotunnel crossing. For golfers in the south, a golf break in Normandy is actually easier to get to than a trip up to Scotland.

Once you get there, Normandy is picturesque with a “very French” mix of ports and resorts, of villages and fields, of chateaux and bustling bars. It’s different enough to feel like a proper break, while comfortingly familiar to Anglophiles.

Hospitable Hotels

In terms of welcoming lodgings for a golf holiday, Normandy is very well served. There’s everything from the best in luxury and service (Hotel Normandy Barriere, Deauville), smaller charming hotels (Dormy House, Etretat) and city-based accommodation (Mercure Centre, Rouen) to choose from, and the service and atmosphere of them is very friendly. Many of these hotels have excellent restaurants but if you’re looking to explore further afield there are plenty of charming eateries offering very reasonable prices. Diners will of course be entranced with the famous seafood,
especially the shellfish. For non-fish eaters, Normans are hearty eaters and love cooking with cream and Calvados. And with a different cheese for every day of the year…Camembert, Livarot and Pont-l’Eveque are all local specialities.

Celebrated Courses

The best thing about a golf holiday in Normandy is its excellent courses. There are many good courses in the region but ones which deserve a special mention are Etretat (one of the best links in France and conveniently adjacent to the Dormy House hotel),
Chateau de la Chouette (a real hidden gem!), Golf Parc (some of the best target golf in the country) and, my personal favourite, Champ de Bataille which is quite stunning and very testing in parts. All told, we recommend 21 courses golf courses in Normandy – you’ll be very pleasantly impressed with our choice.

Plenty to Do

Of course the region is best known for the historic Normandy beach landings of June 1944 and there’s plenty to honour the memory with some fascinating museums. On top of this, the region is also home to the Bayeux tapestry and the breathtaking Mont St. Michel – one of the most visited sites in the whole of the country.

For a bit of a change from the UK’s courses, a Normandy golf break is a great idea. It’s local, reasonably priced, has plenty to see and do and of course has some truly memorable golf courses. Take a golf holiday in Normandy and rediscover your love of the game.

About the Author

Morgan Clarke

Demand for wine in Indian restaurants is split almost 50/50 between white and red and there are some excellent choices. Recommended white wines include the obvious Chardonnay(which includes Chablis), South African Chenin Blanc, Italian Pinot Grigio or Orvieto and the hugely improved Viognier.
Excellent reds are Merlot, New World Shiraz and Margauz and the offerings of Chile and Argentina offer excellent value at present.

WHITE

Chardonnay – medium to full-bodied, dry
Poultry and game birds, veal and pork, rabbit, fish and pasta preparations which feature cream and or butter, mushrooms and most Indian spiced dishes when served at correct temperature. Possibly the most popular white wine.

Sauvignon Blanc – light-medium bodied, dry
Starters, seafood, most ethnic dishes, pasta, curry, salsa, tomato sauces, oil based dishes, vegetable dishes.

Chenin Blanc – light to medium-bodied, normally off-dry
Chicken, sushi, curry, Oriental dishes, pork. South African and Chilean particularly good at present served well chilled.

Traminer – light to medium body, usually semi sweet, occasionally off-dry
Spicy cuisines such as Chinese, Mexican and Indian but can be too strong for happy marriage. Some labels are excellent.

Riesling – light to medium bodied, semi-sweet to off-dry
Crabmeat, appetizers, pork, salads. Depends very much on the label. Considerably improved of late

Semillon – medium bodied dry white
Fish, foods with creamy sauces such as pasta. Very good for spicy cuisines when blended with Chardonnay.

Verdelho – medium bodied dry white
Grilled fish, fruit platters, pastas with cream based sauce

RED

Cabernet Sauvignon – medium to full-bodied, tannic and dry
Beef, lamb, pork, duck, game, cheeses

Merlot – medium to full-bodied, less tannic than Cabernet and dry
Beef, lamb, pork, duck, game, stews, pizza, pasta, spicy dishes. One of the best house wines

Shiraz – medium to full bodied
Excellent with rich spicy meals. Veal, kangaroo, duck. Some sparkling Shiraz can be very good with pastries and puddings

Grenache – medium to full bodied dry red
Fillet steak, sweet seafood, chicken and red meats. The white Grenache can also be very good with spicy cuisines as a good value wine.

Pinot Noir – medium to light-bodied, dry, low tannin with silky texture
Lamb, duck, turkey, game birds, beef, rabbit, semi-soft cheeses

ROSE

Rose – great variations depending on level of residual sugar
Smoked foods, quiche, pork, some Mexican and Thai food. Can be served with any food

CHAMPAGNE

Brut – dry sparkling

Aperitifs and first courses. Fuller bodied variations go well with any fish or chicken. According to scientific research sparkling wine and champagne in particular stimulate the palate and flow of gastric juices as an ideal aperitif much better than traditional sherry or Martini. Champagne raises the necessary stomach acid to 95% of its maximum level and beer is surprisingly high at 85%. Martini could only score 57% and calvados and armagnac hardly register which is why they are best at the end of a meal as an aid to digestion. Start your spicy meal with a glass of bubbly!

About the Author

Curry Master

Creation of Normandy

It would be interesting to begin your French holidays with some knowledge of the creation of Normandy. The name Normandy actually derives from the Gaul term for ‘Northman’. Normandy began as a fiefdom created for a Viking leader called Rollo. As Rollo hailed from the North, hence the region he presided over was called Normandy. Rollo’s descendant, William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy subjugated England in 1066 to become the first King of England following his victory at the Battle of Hastings.

Historical Past of Normandy

The rich history of Normandy draws numerous tourists to this spectacular region every year. The decisive Operation Overlord of World War II, which saw the mobilisation of massive numbers of Allied infantry and supplies, began the assault on France from the D-Day amphibious landings on the Calvados coast of Normandy, on 6 June 1944. The Battle of Normandy witnessed ferocious military battles for the eventual liberation of France. This crucial turning point in the war was a critical period in the historical past of Normandy.

Interesting Towns to Visit in Normandy

When you’re in Normandy during your holidays in France, visit the famous spa town, Bagnoles de l’Orne. Here you can relax and be pampered to ease away your fatigue and muscle tension or go swimming and golfing. The bourgeois villas in the town sport unique roofing, bow windows and polychrome facades.

French holidays will beckon you to visit the Mont-St-Michel, where a medieval Benedictine Abbey stands majestically on a sheer clump of rocks. The marvellous architecture of this Abbey and its unique location makes this a critical itinerary in your holidays in France.

Head on to the town of Bayeux where you can view the marvellous embroidered tapestry recounting the Battle of Hastings and the Norman conquest of England. It dates to the time of William the Conqueror.

At the town of Lassay-les-Chateaux you can visit a 15th century stone castle that is still completely standing. A little further north of this town is Domfort, which boasts narrow streets and the ruins of medieval castles.

There are 600km of Normandy coastline with beautiful beaches and sculpting cliffs.  Whether it’s sailing, canoe-kayaking, kite surfing or wind surfing, Normandy has excellent facilities around the coast.  Childen can play on the golden sand beaches.  History lovers can relive the emotional journey to the D Day landing beaches, world famous for the part it played in turning around World War 2.

About 8 kms away is the lovely village of Lonlay L’Abbaye, your destination for a peaceful conclusion to your holidays in France. This typical French village is the epitome of French holidays as you will be able to interact with the friendly local populace and enjoy the special Normandy cuisine.

About the Author

Robert Elliott

Among France’s eleven wine-growing regions the Rhone Valley ranks second in acreage. The region extends 125 miles (200 kilometers) along the Rhone River. This region is actually composed of two parts, the north and the south whose wines tend to be quite different. The northern Rhone Valley is quite narrow. Its major red grape variety is Syrah, while its major white variety is Viognier. The northern Rhone Valley produces some of the best red wines in all France, and according to its fan club, some of the best red wines on earth. The southern Rhone Valley produces about 95% of the Rhone Valley wines. This is the kingdom of grape blending. For example the famous Chateauneuf-Du-Pape AOC wine may contain a maximum of thirteen different grape varieties.

Vienne, population about thirty thousand, was a major town in Roman Gaul and still retains a lot of its history and its charm. Near the river you’ll find the Romanesque church of St-Pierre already rebuilt in the Ninth Century. The Gothic Cathedral of St-Maurice was built during the Eleventh to Sixteenth Centuries and largely destroyed in a religious war during the mid-Sixteenth Century. Rue des Orf?es (Goldsmiths’ Street) is filled with Renaissance buildings and the Romanesque church St-Andre-le-Bas (St. Andrew the Lesser).

Vienne’s Theatre Romain (Roman Theater) is one of the largest in France; it spans almost 450 feet (140 meters) and once held thirteen thousand spectators. Excavation started only in 1922. This theater hosts a great jazz festival in July. Other Roman ruins include the Temple d’Auguste et de Livie (Temple of Augustus and Livia) erected by the Emperor Claudius and the Plan de l’Aiguille (Needle Tower), a truncated pyramid that was once part of a Roman circus. Some say that this structure encloses the tomb of Pontius Pilate.

Before reviewing the Cotes du Rhone wine and imported cheeses that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region. Start with Foie Gras avec Gelee de Viognier (Goose Liver Pate with Viognier Jelly). As your second course savor Chevreau a l’Ail et Herbes Sauvages (Baby Goat with Garlic and Wild Herbs). And for dessert indulge yourself with Granite aux Pommes et Calvados (Apple and Calvados Ice).

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed Domaine du Colombier Crozes-Hermitage 2005 13% about $25

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. Until 1992, Florent Viale and his father sold all of their grapes to negociants. As Crozes-Hermitage came into its own, the Viales decided to make their own wines. The results have been nothing short of spectacular. Layers of blackberry, tar and black pepper dominate their finely made Syrah-based wines. A very good match for roast leg of lamb.

My first meal was a barbecue including a rib steak marinated in a homemade ketchup-based sauce with chunks of garlic, corn on the cob, and red-skinned potatoes. The wine was powerful and mouth-filling. It was quite long and had no trouble maintaining its flavors. I didn’t used to be a fan of tannins but these Crozes-Hermitage tannins melted in my mouth along with the meal.

My next meal involved a combination of marinated barbecued beef and veal ribs, red-skinned potatoes, and a garlic-based Moroccan salad. First I tried the more subtle veal ribs. The Crozes-Hermitage was very powerful with a lot of tobacco. While this wine was very powerful it complemented the veal very well. The taste of dark fruit was predominant with the beef ribs. While there was quite a change in the wine, with both types of ribs it was simply great. Dessert consisted of blueberry fruit juice candy. I was somewhat surprised but the wine was a good accompaniment. I tasted blackberries in the wine.

I know how much this wine likes beef and veal, so I decided to try it with barbecued chicken marinated in a commercial Mediterranean-style light sauce. The wine was careful not to overwhelm the meat. Once again the meal included barbecued red-skinned potatoes and this time, perhaps because the meat was subtler, the potatoes had more effect bringing out the earthiness of the wine. Interestingly enough the intensive Turkish Salad was the least successful accompaniment to the wine. One might have expected the contrary, namely, that the greatest pairing success would be with the strongest tasting component. The Turkish Salad and Crozes-Hermitage combination was good, it just wasn’t as good as the other pairings in this meal.

The first cheese was a mild-tasting Italian Pecorino Fruilano. This wine is so fine that even though the cheese flattened it somewhat, it remained excellent. But believe me, I won’t subject the wine to such an indignity again. The second cheese was a nutty tasting Dutch Edam. This more powerful cheese had less of a flattening effect on the wine. Go figure.

Final verdict. This wine is a definite winner. I went back to my previous article describing a Rhone Valley wine: I Love French Wine And Food – A Red Cotes du Rhone to refresh my memory. I was very happy with that much more modest wine, priced at about half of this one. Is the Crozes-Hermitage better? Yes. Is it twice as good? That’s a hard question. It really depends on how you view wines. The Crozes-Hermitage is definitely a fine wine for its price range, as was the other. I am definitely tempted to taste a Rhone Valley red wine in the $50 range. But I can’t promise you when. Perhaps what I should do is buy a case of this Crozes-Hermitage and drink one a year and see if the critics are right when they say it can be cellared for many, many years.

About the Author

Levi Reiss