Seriously though, Matthew and I are so spoiled by the plethora of inexpensive, excellent wine selections in just about every corner grocery store! Granted, half the time I have no idea what I am buying. The French don't label their wines like they do in the US. You can't go to the store and go to a 'Merlot' section, or a 'Cabernet' section. A lot of French wines are blends anyway, AND you are expected to know based on where the wine is produced, what the blend is! It is overwhelming to pick out wine, but it is a challenge I am up to! :)
and PS- most of the time I just buy the bottle with the prettiest label!
The cheese...I think picking out cheese is just as overwhelming as picking out wine!
My mom and sister can attest to the fact that when we came to France in the summer of 1997 to visit my uncle and cousins in Lyon, I lived on brie and baguettes. Since then, I have broadened my cheese horizons, but I still love a good brie. It helps that the region we live in is known for its cheeses! Although, beware! If you invite some French people (yes, I am talking about you, Bertrand!) to your house for dinner, they might bring the nastiest, stinkiest cheese possible...just to see if you will try it, laugh at you while you gag after trying it, and to enjoy the look of horror on your face as you think of how the putrid smell will linger in your house long after your guests have gone...
The bread...French boulangeries are one of my favorite things about France, and one of the things I know I am going to miss the most when we move back to the US! There is nothing better than getting to the boulangerie in the afternoon just as a fresh batch of bread is coming out of the oven. Matthew and I will stop by our favorite boulangerie- Masion Vacher in Chamalieres- on Saturday mornings before we head to the outdoor market. The bread is usually still warm, and we normally buy two of their special "fanette" baguettes because we know one will mysteriously disappear while we are strolling through the market!
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I concur.....looking forward to having my share of all three when I visit in May! I loved the bit about smelly cheese, remembering our experience at a fine restaurant where others at table sampled the "fromage de maison"...nothing more than leftover cheeses mixed in a crock with wine and allowed to ferment for a day or two. Looking forward to tomorrow's #8. Love, Mom
Oui oui mon amie! Je suis d'accord! J'aime bien le fromage (sauf le tres stinky) et le pain. :) Oh, et le vin, bien sur! :)
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