GOODfood+wine Episode 6 - From Paris to Bordeaux...And Back Again

by Paige Donner

Paris GOODfood+wine airing on World Radio Paris

This episode of GOODfood+wine airing on World Radio Paris is all about Bordeaux. Well, nearly. In honor of the bi-annual Bordeaux Vinexpo extravaganza (opento the trade only) we did some pre-tasting at two of Bordeaux's most prestigious chateaux - Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and Château Lafleur. And there I spoke with Nicolas Glumineau of Pichon Comtesse and Omri Ram of Château Lafleur, the interviews from which you'll be hearing on this episode of GOODfood+wine. 

Nicolas Glumineau of Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac #Bordeaux                                         Photo by Paige Donner

#Bordeaux    #Localfoodwine

Omri Ram of Chateau Lafleur, Pomerol, #Bordeaux photo by Paige Donner copyright 2015

Then, I also bring you an in-studio chat with Paris' Chef Phillippe Excoffier, formerly the Executive Chef at the American Embassy here who will be offering a special July 4th tasting menu at his restaurant around the corner from the Eiffel Tower; Following that interview, I also bring you a sit-down with Girl's Guide To Paris founding editor, Doni Belau who talks to us about her forthcoming book, Paris Cocktails, and the bustling Paris cocktail bar scene. 

 So, come along with GOODfood+wine on a tasting trip to Bordeaux's famed wine regions of the Médoc on its Left Bank and Pomerol on its Right Bank.  The two châteaux you'll be visiting with us, as we speak to the winemaker and the winemaking teams are Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac and Château Lafleur in Pomerol. 

Find out more about visiting #Bordeaux, HERE and HERE.

More about Vinexpo Bordeaux HERE

Wine tasting with Dad at Chateau Lafleur, Pomerol photo copyright 2015 Paige Donner

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What Tops Winetasting in Pauillac and Pomerol...?

by Paige Donner

What Tops Wine Tasting in Pauillac & Pomerol...? Wine tasting with Dad in Pauillac and Pomerol! 

FULL SLIDESHOW of BOTH CHATEAUX HERE  

(All photos by Paige Donner © 2015)

These two châteaus, Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande on Bordeaux's Left Bank and Château Lafleur on Bordeaux's Right Bank are two of the most distinguished, not to mention prettiest, gems in Bordeaux. 

The new(-ish) vat and vinification rooms at Pichon Comtesse are simply stunning. Rarely have any of the sweeping renovations done at these historical, landmark properties been done in a manner that gathers up the beauty of the surroundings and displays them like a living painting, all there for your eye to take in and behold of the beauty and bounty. Oh yes, and then, of course (as if it could ever be an after thought!), there's the fabulous Pichon Comtesse wine, softer and more supple than her surrounding brethren. 

Château Lafleur in Pomerol... Need I say more? It's difficult to describe the feeling of standing in the humble vineyards of this esteemed property, singular in its placement, its yield of some of Bordeaux's Right Bank's best wines and also in its devotion to simplicity. On one side is Pétrus, on the other is Château Le Gay... Of course what is fascinating here is that the daughters who inherited the vineyards, the predecessors (and relatives) to the current family-member owners, had the wisdom to keep their cabernet franc vines in the ground when everyone around them were pulling theirs up and re-planting with merlot five and six decades ago. What this has resulted in is a vineyard that yields grapes that go into the blends of both Les Pensées and Château Lafleur wines from this property. Of course, if you ever get to taste either of those, you can count yourself among some of the luckiest people on Earth. 

One thing is for sure, even if my dear old dad never makes it back to Bordeaux, he can still always say that now he has drunk the finest wines in France. 

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Checking In With Bordeaux's Cité des Civilisations du Vin

by Paige Donner

It's always a thrill to watch the development, the progressive, step-by-step development of an ambitious and culturally iconic project. Such is the case with the Cité des Civilisations du Vin gorgeously taking shape along the banks of the Garonne in Bordeaux. 

FULL Slideshow HERE

All photos by Paige Donner.  ©2015 Paige Donner. 

Anouk Legendre, Architect

According to Sylvie Cazes, the President of the Foundation for the Support of the Cité des Civilisations du Vin, the project, now in its 8th year, took a bit of time to get off the ground because it was a matter of "finding the money."  Among dozens of generous donors and supporters some of those offering the greatest largesse are Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, Pétrus, Domaine Clarence Dillon, Vinexpo, Groupe Edmond de Rothschild, Bernard Magrez Grands Vignobles and the American Friends of the Center for wine and civilization. 

Here in these photos, taken in mid-May, you will see demonstrated the rise of what can only be called audacious architecture. 

"The architects Anouk Legendre and Nicolas Desmazières have imagined a structure replete with symbolic echoes: the knotty trunk of a grapevine, the swirl of wine moving in a glass, the ebb and flow of the Garonne...their design captures the spirit of wine and its fluid essence: a seamless curve, weightless and sensual."

After walking around the site with a team of other journalists, led by the architect, Ms. Legendre herself, my overall (early) impression was as though I'd been floating through a decanter. Whatever you make of the building's design, its imminent opening, projected for June 2016, is an exciting prospect for wine lovers, enthusiasts, amateurs and connoisseurs the world over. Stay tuned...

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L’Institut Paul Bocuse Celebrates Its 25th Year

by Paige Donner 

Hervé Fleury, CEO of L'Institut Paul Bocuse, addressing Press at Le Pavillon Ledoyen, photo copyright Paige Donner

Celebrating its 25th year, the Institut Paul Bocuse culinary arts school chose a most fitting location for its fête: Le Pavillon Ledoyen Paris, recently awarded its 3rd Michelin star under the new ownership of Chef Yannick Alléno. Present also was one of the institute's founding advisors, former Cultural Minister of France, Jack Lang.

L-R Jack Lang speaks with Chef Yannick Alléno and Gérard Pélisson at Le Pavillon Ledoyen, Paris, at the 25th anniversary celebration of L'Institut Paul Bocuse. photo by Paige Donner copyright all rights reserved.

Celebrating its successful graduates and partnerships over the past 25 years, including with Accor Hotels, Danone and many others, under the leadership of the illustrious chef, Paul Bocuse and his indispensable team, Gérard Péllisson and Hervé Fleury, they are looking forward to the even more culinary creativity and innovation in French cuisine as they train the next generations. 

The institute also serves as a business incubator for new concepts in the hospitality, F&B and culinary arts world. It has helped launch four operational businesses so far. 

It als has implemented a new 11-week course for professionals looking to create and establish their own restaurant. These professionals might come from a culinary background with training, or perhaps are looking for a career change.  Some of the participants are French, while others come from a diverse multicultural and international background. 

Photo courtesy Institut Paul Bocuse

In French: 

...nouvellement créé, ce programme de 11 semaines est destiné à celles  et ceux qui souhaitent créer et diriger leur restaurant. L'Institut paul Bocuse a initié un partenariat avec CCI Formation Lyon et collabore avec l'uMIH Formation. 10 stagiaires amateurs en reconversion (40 ans de moyenne d'âge) viennent de la France entière, de l'étranger et d'horizons très divers (chef de vente, directeur commercial et marketing, informaticien, DRH, médecin, etc.). L'objectif de l'Institut paul Bocuse est d'inscrire ce programme au Registre national de la Certification professionnelle (RnCp) dans les 3 ans. 

On the school's premises in the city center of Lyon, France there is one gastronomic restaurant open to the public:  Saisons

Le restaurant gastronomique Saisons Ouvert au public, ce restaurant pédagogique permet aux étudiants d'évoluer en situation réelle et ainsi d'acquérir les connaissances nécessaires à l'exigence des métiers de la restauration gastronomique.

More information can be found on their website: institutpaulbocuse.com

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La Bonnotte of Ile de Noirmoutier - The World's Most Expensive Potato

by Paige Donner

It's nearly May - and that means La Bonnotte is just about in season! 

La Bonnotte, for those of you not familiar with it, is a little yellow gem that grows on the small, sheltered Isle of Noirmoutier in France's northwest region of the Vendée. And while myself and other culinary gourmands can easily mistake this little tuber for the Royal Star of Paris diamond, it is, in fact, entirely edible. Yes, this little tuber is a potato... île de Noirmoutier... Read my full article HERE

Early potatoes from the Ile de Noirmoutier - a feverishly awaited seasonal delicacy in France!

Its tubers have smooth, yellow skin and dark yellow flesh, finely grained. They are round, and the eyes are semi-sunken. The plant is sizeable and upright with a pigmented stalk and fairly short leaves, marked with a very glossy dark green. The leaflets have an embossed aspect. The flowers are small and white, and the fruits are reddish. It is resistant to potato wart and also, it seems, to degeneration disease. Its period of dormancy is quite long and it is also fairly slow to sprout – a delay it catches up on later. - Diehl

île de Noirmoutier... Read my full article HERE

Ile de Noirmoutier - Lady on bicycle with baguette. Photo by Paige Donner copyright 2014 all rights reserved. Find More of Paige's photography here:  http://paigedonnerphotography.wordpress.com

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Lanson Black Label - preview

This is one of the best videos I've yet seen released by a champagne house. 

It's by Lanson and it previews their Black Label cuvée. It also introduces their new cellar master. It's brief and to the point. Every bit worth watching.

WATCH IT HERE

Lanson Black Label - The Champagne

     Lanson Champagne - Black Label

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Le Harcourt – An Exquisite Dessert by Chef Guy Martin and Baccarat

Le Harcourt dessert by Chef Guy Martin Cristal Room Baccarat Paris photo by Paige Donner copyright 2015

by Paige Donner

Inspired by the 250th anniversary of the house of Baccarat, Chef Guy Martin created Le Harcourt, an equally exquisite dessert to match the heritage of the crystal house and its emblematic crystal glass, Le Harcout. 

Chef Guy Martin's restaurant, the Cristal Room is housed within the Baccarat Museum in Paris' chic and exclusive 16th arrondissement. The glass itself, Le Harcourt, was inspired by the chalice seen by King Louis-Philippe in 1841. For this dessert, full of wild and flavorful strawberries, the Chef and his team fashioned a white chocolate replica in the exact mold of this signature Baccarat crystal glass. This version, however, is edible! 

Chef Guy Martin's Cristal Room Baccarat Paris photo by Paige Donner copyright

Chef Guy Martin's Cristal Room Baccarat Paris photo by Paige Donner copyright

Chef Guy Martin's Cristal Room Baccarat Paris photo by Paige Donner copyright

A TIP: If ever you are in Paris and are searching for one of the city's most divinely romantic spots, it is here at the Cristal Room Baccarat on the Place des Etats-Unis.

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Paris GOODfood+wine Episode 3 on World Radio Paris

Paris GOODfood+wine airing on World Radio Paris

by Paige Donner

In this episode of Paris GOODfood+wine you'll to hear all about a small French bird called the ortolan, considered a traditional culinary delicacy in some circles. 

The Ortolan, considered a (forbidden)delicacy in certain circles in SWest France.

Next, Paris restaurant critic and book author Alec Lobrano joins us again to review the hot, trendy, new restaurant Porte 12 in Paris' 10th arrondissement.

dish featured at Porte 12 Restaurant

Gabrielle Mondesire brings us her second installment from her interview of famed Parisian baker, Frédéric Lalos who goes a bit technical on us when he translates the fine art, and science, of fabulous bread baking. 

jonathan bauer monnaret - France's Sommelier of the Year

To round up, I bring you an interview with Jonathan Bauer Monnaret, named Sommelier of The Year by the prestigious French food and wine magazine, Gault&Millau. He is the head sommelier at Spring restaurant in Paris' Les Halles district. 

Photo courtesy ParisPaysanne.com/ Emily Dilling

And to finish with a tasty bang, Emily Dilling, who is founder and editor of her blog, Paris Paysanne, takes us on a tour of the Daumesnil fresh market in Paris' 12th arrondissement. 

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MSNBC’s First-Ever Food Correspondent, Chef Tom Colicchio

Tom Colicchio, celebrity chef and founder of Food Policy Action says, "We're going to send a clear message to Congress that we're organized, we're viable, we're strong, and yes we have a food movement and it's coming for you."

Blog MashUp by Paige Donner

Colicchio announced recently that he will be MSNBC's first-ever food correspondent. He will also host his own weekly show, "Stirring the Pot," on MSNBC's new online channel Shift this spring.

A few weeks ago, he joined Senators Barbara Boxer and Richard Blumenthal and Representative Peter DeFazio as they reintroduced a genetic engineering food labeling bill.

Chef Tom Colicchio

Chef Tom Colicchio may be best known as the head judge on Bravo's "Top Chef," owner of a chain of restaurants and host of the new show, "Best New Restaurant." But the renowned chef is also dedicated to food policy reform. He co-founded Food Policy Action in 2012 to educate the public about food policy and to pressure politicians to reform the food system.

His solution for the impasse in Congress: "they need to sit down around the table and have a good meal. They need to break bread and have a discussion."

It's not only Congress that needs to sit down, eat a meal and talk about food. Everyone needs to. "Sitting down and asking questions about food is something that is missing right now," says Colicchio. "If you look at the last election, food never came up. Hunger barely came up. So let's have this discussion. Let's talk about food."

The chef points out that a lot of stories we hear about in the news are really food stories. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is a food story because "it affects the food chain, the fisheries and people's livelihoods that rely on those fisheries." Same goes for the "overuse of pesticides, which leach into the waterways and create a dead zone in the Gulf. Another food story."

"People are ready for that next conversation about food," says Colicchio. "People want to know what's in their food, they want to understand food safety, they want to understand social and economic issues around food and they want to fix hunger problems."

"This is a big deal," author Michael Pollan told the LA Times. "The fact is that people are deeply engaged by food stories, whether about food safety, nutrition, hunger, animal welfare, public health or the environment. Tom has a sufficiently broad grasp of the issues to connect the dots between food and all these issues."

msnbc.com

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France - L.A. Culinary Connection March 11th to 14 - It's All About The Cuisine, Bébé

Sponsored Post

Over twenty Michelin-Starred Chefs and James Beard Award Nominees and Winners represented in second annual culinary showcase at L.A. LIVE, March 11-14, 2015

All-Star Chef Classic showcases renowned domestic and international chef talent in a series of interactive dining experiences, bringing over 3,500 fans 'kitchen-side' for unparalleled access to their favorite chefs—the first ever event showcase of its kind in the food festival landscape.

Six immersive, chef-led dining experiences will take place at L.A. LIVE's custom-built Event Deck, including the bespoke Restaurant Stadium and Chefs' Tasting Arena for a three-part Masters dinner series dedicated to French, British, and American talent; the Grill & Chill, a celebration of open-flame cooking; Kitchen Kids, a record-setting large-scale cooking class for kids and Cook for the Cure to spread awareness and benefit those fighting cancer and celebrate those who have won the battle.

The 2015 All-Star Chef Classic will include more than 25 internationally-renowned chefs and personalities:

Ludo Lefebvre (Trois Mec, Los Angeles), Inaki Aizpitarte (Le Chateaubriand, Paris), David Toutain (Restaurant David Toutain, Paris), Sven Chartier (Saturne, Paris), Nancy Silverton (Mozza, Los Angeles), Daniel Patterson (Coi, San Francisco), Christina Tosi (Momofuku Milk Bar, New York), Michael Cimarusti (Providence, Los Angeles), Jenn Louis(Lincoln, Portland), Suzanne Goin, (Lucques, Los Angeles), Waylynn Lucas (fonuts, Los Angeles), Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo (Animal, Son of a Gun, Los Angeles), Jonathan Waxman (Barbuto, New York), David Lefevre (MB Post, Manhattan Beach), Aarón Sánchez (Paloma, Stamford), Wylie Dufresne (wd-50, Alder, New York), Suzanne Goin (AOC, Lucques, Tavern, Los Angeles), Josiah Citrin (Melisse, Los Angeles), Zoe Nathan (Huckleberry Café & Bakery, Santa Monica), Carolynn Spence (Chateau Marmont, Los Angeles), Mark Hix (Hix, London), James Lowe (Lyle's Restaurant, London), Daniel Doherty (Duck and Waffle, London), Skye Gyngell (Spring, London), and Bryn Williams (Odette's, London).

Celebrating the passion, innovation, and community of great food and cooking with the industry's most venerable personalities, the 2015 All-Star Chef Classic lineup includes:

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

French Masters Dinner

Location: Restaurant Stadium at L.A. LIVE's Event Deck
Doors Open 6 p.m. / Dinner Begins 7 p.m. 
Prices: $275-$425

The "French Masters Dinner" features four of today's culinary leaders in French cuisine, hosted by Master of Ceremonies, Billy Harris. The chefs will prepare a five-course dinner for a select group of seated guests, along with an elegant pairing of French wine.

Featured chefs include:

• Ludo Lefebvre (Trois Mec, Los Angeles)
• Inaki Aizpitarte (Le Chateaubriand, Paris)
• David Toutain (Restaurant David Toutain, Paris)
• Sven Chartier (Saturne, Paris)

Thursday, March 12, 2015

American Masters Dinner

Location: Restaurant Stadium at L.A. LIVE's Event Deck
Doors Open 6 p.m. / Dinner Begins 7 p.m.

Friday, March 13, 2015

Cuisine for the Cure

Location: Restaurant Stadium at L.A. LIVE's Event Deck
Doors Open 11:30 a.m. / Lunch Begins 12 p.m.

British Masters Dinner

Location: Restaurant Stadium at L.A. LIVE's Event Deck
Doors Open 6 p.m. / Dinner Begins 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Kitchen Kids

Location: Restaurant Stadium at L.A. LIVE's Event Deck
Doors Open 10 a.m. / Event Begins 10:30 a.m.

Grill and Chill

Location: Chefs' Tasting Arena
Doors Open 7 p.m.- 10 p.m. 
Prices: $125-$225 – Special Price "France in LA" $100

The "Grill and Chill" event celebrates the pleasures and spectacle of cooking over an open flame in the Chefs' Tasting Arena, bringing the outdoor grilling experience to guests for a curated tasting tour of dishes from a diverse group of chefs. In addition our 'Chilling' Chefs will serve a delicious variety of cold dishes – from salads to desserts to pastries.

Featured chefs include:

• Michael Cimarusti (Providence, LA)
• Nancy Silverton (Mozza, Los Angeles)
• Waylynn Lucas (fonuts, Los Angeles)
• Jon Shook & Vinny Dotolo (Animal, Son of a Gun, Los Angeles)
• Jonathan Waxman (Barbuto, New York)
• David Lefevre (MB Post, Manhattan Beach)
• Aarón Sánchez (Paloma, Stamford)
• Wylie Dufresne (wd-50, Alder, New York)
• Suzanne Goin (AOC, Lucques, Tavern, Los Angeles)
• Josiah Citrin (Melisse, Los Angeles)
• Inaki Aizpitarte (Le Chateaubriand, Paris)
• Ludo Lefebvre (Trois Mec, Los Angeles)
• Carolynn Spence (Chateau Marmont, Los Angeles)
• Zoe Nathan (Huckleberry Café & Bakery, Santa Monica)
• Jenn Louis (Lincoln, Portland)
• Sherry Yard (Helms Bakery, Spago)
• Mark Hix (Hix, London)

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♥Chérie Du Vin