De Marseille
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Grape Harvest In Provence Visiting Provence during the Grape Harvest: During the months of September through beginning of October, Provence undergoes a strange transformation–as if awakening from a sleepy cicada buzzing summer snooze to bubbling anticipation of something very important. Slowly one notices activity within the vineyards that for months have been left alone to bask in the summer sun… Farmers begin to take over the roads as everyone awaits the beginning of the grape harvesting–La Vendange. The exact dates of the harvest are of course not known in advance. Having the touch for selecting the auspicious and precise day to begin the harvest process is a best kept secret of those in the grape business–much depends on how much sun and rain the region has had throughout the year. Even the time of day to pick the grapes is a highly sensitive matter and it is not rare to find harvesting in the middle of night when the temperatures are at their lowest. While many of the larger vineyards use massive machines to collect their bounty, many smaller domains still pride themselves in hand- picking their grapes. Traveling to Provence during the month of September to beginning of October is certainly one of the magical times to vacation in Provence. Festivals and markets celebrating the harvest are found throughout the region and villa rental prices drop significantly. Search for you luxury villa rental in Provence and learn what to do while vacationing in Provence Provencal Tomato Recipe There are about as many ways to prepare this dish as there are varieties of tomatoes–we have seen them prepared a million ways so feel free to be creative but don’t mess with the core ingredients : wonderfully sun-ripened tomatoes, garlic, basil, bread crumbs, provencal herbs (fresh or dried) and salt. Ingredients 6 – 8 medium sized ripe tomatoes or smaller if you wish approx 1 cup fresh white bread crumbs 1/4 cup minced fresh basil leaves 2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves) 1/2 teaspoon Provencal Herbs (mixture of thyme, rosemary, sage, basil, fennel) 1 tsp sea salt Freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup grated Gruyere cheese or fresh parmesan or roman blend olive oil Directions Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Slice tomatoes in half crosswise and remove the seeds and juice. Arrange them in a baking dish. Combine the bread crumbs (either homemade or dried) with provencal herbs or chopped fresh herbs (basil, parsley). Add 1 teaspoon salt. Sprinkle the tomato halves with salt and pepper. Scoop bread crumb mixture over the tomatoes and bake until they are soft and tender–20 mins or so. Sprinkle with the cheese, drizzle with olive oil, and bake for another 10 mins more. The Best Time to Visit Provence At Only Provence we often get the question–When is the best time to visit? In all honesty, it is a very difficult question to answer as every season in Provence offers a unique advantage. Provence in the summer: Lavender, sunflowers and more…. There is a reason why people from all over the world flock to Provence during the summertime… Let’s start with the weather – long sunny days to wander through markets. afternoons lounging by the pool, and evening meals on the terrace. The sound of buzzing cicadas, know as “cigales,” provide the backdrop to the season and the markets offer a bounty of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Let’s not forget Provence’s signature flowers are in bloom during the summer months –sweeping fields of sunflowers in July and lavender from end June to August. The summer months also offer the largest selection of restaurants, endless antiques, art and music festivals In July the the cities of Avignon and Aix come alive with the Arts with Avignon hosting Europe’s biggest Theatre Festival and Aix hosting the Festival D’Aix. The few downsides to this high-season: The popular villages can get quite congested with tourists and the rates for renting villas are at peak during this season with many families reserving a year in advance. Strolling the markets you might be apt to hear more English and you most certainly will have to reserve ahead when going out to eat in the evenings. Fall – The Best Kept Secret We believe that fall in Provence is one of the world’s best kept secrets. At the end of August the crowds slowly dissipate and with the days shortening you can literally feel the region take a long awaited breath. The days remain hot and sunny yet the evenings and mornings bring a delightful and welcome nip to the air. Meals on the terrace continue, though you might retreat to the comfy couch around a lit fireplace with a book before turning in. Meals shift from light salads and tartes aux onions to a warm vegetable Pistou soup or ratatouille. Harvesting the grapes: The best part about fall in Provence revolves around the ripening grapes in the now colorful vineyards. There is a palpable buzz in the air as vintners await the exact moment for the “vendange,” the harvesting of the grapes. Provence Villa Rental rates on the villas drop with availability in the most sought after villages opening up. In sum, visiting Provence in the fall is a complete win-win. Winter: Quiet and Cozy While the weather might not always agree in the winter season (even bringing some ice and snow), there is a certain magic to visiting Provence in the winter time. With rental rates at their absolute lowest, it can offer an fantastic option for a getaway over the holiday season. Some of the smaller villages do partially close down so selecting the right location will be key (and we are here to help!). Winter Christmas markets bring cured hams from Corsica, foie gras from the Southwest, the best Champagnes and of course, those highly-sought truffles… Small wild flowers are still in bloom and the warmth of the sun will have you hiking in short sleeves during the day. Come home to sit by the fire and enjoy a glass of wine and a meal of “Daube” – the local beef stew served over egg noodles. Combine your week or two in Provence with a weekend trip to the Alps for a bit of ski time. Spring: A Waking up… Although you might still get a taste of the mistral winds in March – May, or a day of spring rain before the hot summer months, you will no doubt be blessed with fields of wildflowers. The cherry and almond trees are in full bloom. Poppies seem to be the favorite though, springing up sometime early May. Spring in Provence is all about waking up..and you can feel it in the local bustle of the market heaping tables of fresh asparagus and strawberries. By Easter, most of the villages are back into the swing, opening up from a winter’s rest and preparing for the busy summer season. Locals jump at the at the first chance to lunch outdoors in the sun over a glass of wine. Spring is a great time to enjoy long walks in the countryside during the day and warm fireside chats in the evenings. Like the fall, Spring is a great season to visit with mild weather and reasonable villa rates. Luxury Villas For Rent In Provence Only Provence Review During our splendid 3 week long trip in Provence in August 2013, we took the truffle-hunting tour and the four of us considered it one of the major highlights of our trip. Johann, accompanied by his expert truffle-hunter and the two truffle- hunting dogs, guided us through a detailed explanation of the history, challenges, and rewards of truffle-hunting. It was intriguing to learn the regional and horticultural components of the profession and just how to spot a good place to bring the dogs to go digging! On our trip, we uncovered about 7 summer truffles. Johann also gave us a tour through their olive groves explaining the many aspects of olive trees in Provence. Johann was extremely patient with all of our questions, and we never felt rushed. Upon returning to the farmhouse, his wife, Lisa had prepared several small plates using truffles in different combinations of cheeses, salt, breads…some savory and some sweet…all delicious and went done well with the champagne. The farm and fields is a beautiful setting and Lisa and Johann are very passionate about their lives and investment in their work…as well as being candid about the more challenging aspects of it. A home run and not to be missed – would highly recommend to any friends visiting the Bouches-du-Rhone and Vaucluse regions of Provence! A. Duncan Learn More at OnlyProvence.com Soap Tour In Provence While you are planning your Provence Vacation one place that you will not want to miss is a tour to Marius Fabre Soap Factory, Soap Museum and Our Shop. Marius Fabre started up in the garden shed, where he set up two cauldrons and a few moulds. At that time, Salon-de-Provence was an extremely prosperous city, thanks to the commerce of oil, soap and coffee. The abundance of raw materials in Provence (olive oil in the Alpilles, soda and salt in the Camargue and oils (coco- nut and palm) coming in from the colonies via the port of Marseilles) had made possible the development of the soap- making industry The Famous Savon (soap) de Marseille by Magnus Kilian The tradition lives on You cannot help but see it everywhere while visiting Provence –in the markets, small boutiques, on the shelves at local grocery stores…Like so many aspects of Provence life, it’s use goes back hundreds of years yet it continues to live on.