The Black Prince and a Hill of Beans
“Cassoulet, like life itself, is not so simple as it seems.”
-Paula Wolfert
The Black Prince
The prince was born Edward of Woodstock, into the House of Plantagenet and...
Eternity
He who binds to himself a joy
Does the winged life destroy
He who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity's sunrise
William Blake - 1757-1827
The Beast
Provence is a geological masterpiece millions of years in the...
The Baron and the Jewel
In 1868, Baron James de Rothschild of what was to become known as the ‘French branch’ of the Rothschild family purchased the Medoc estate, Chateau Lafite. This was 15 years...
Wonder Wall
For many people, it is sometimes difficult to appreciate the mark-up on wines in restaurants, the significantly higher prices -often for the same wines- we are asked to pay when compared to...
The Pastry at the End of the Earth
“It is for others one must learn to do everything; for there lies the secret of happiness.”
Jules Verne
Jules Gabriel Verne, (1828 to 1905) was an extraordinary novelist,...
Chapter 265
A list of the requirements to live a happy life:
Freedom
Self Sufficiency
Friendship
Thought
Wine
Bread & Cheese
-Epicurus, (#Note: Epicurus was an avowed teetotal, the author here has substituted water with wine)
Epicurus
The famous Greek philosopher Epicurus...
Solea Solea
(The Life of a Common Sole)
The Solea solea species of the Soleidae, (flatfish) family gets its name from the Latin word for sandals. It is sometimes called the Common Sole but, most famously...
The Charcutiers
There is nothing quite like an extensive charcuterie board, resplendent with all the trimmings and accompanied by a bottle of good wine, in order to excite one with the promise of a deep...
