 |
9th September 2010
|
- Home
- Accommodation
- Holidays
- City Guides
- Languedoc Living
- Property
- Property For Sale
- Property Guide
- Languedoc Roussillon Estate Agents
- Luxury Property For Sale
- Equestrian Property
- Beziers Property
- Carcassonne Property
- Ceret Property
- Cevennes Property
- Limoux Property
- Montpellier Property
- Narbonne Property
- Nimes Property
- Perpignan Property
- Pezenas Property
- Sete Property
- Uzes Property
- Finance Zone
- Advertise your Property
- Resources
- FrenchEntrée
Food & Wine LanguedocWelcome to the French Entrée Languedoc Roussillon Food & Wine guide where you can discover some of the best kept secrets of local restaurants, wines, markets, recipes and produce in the passionate and diverse Languedoc Roussillon region.Discover more about the Languedoc on the following great sections of our site: • Languedoc Holidays • Languedoc Skiing • Languedoc Events • Guide to Carcassonne • Guide to Perpignan QUICK LINKS • Aperitifs • Banyuls & Maury • Byrrh • Blanquette • Cap d'Agde Restaurants • Cassoulet • Boeuf Bourguignon • Lime & Basil Sorbet • Camargue Rice • Goats Cheese • Olives • Olive Tapenade • Onion Soup • Languedoc Rose • Truffles • Tarte aux Pommes • Vinagrettes See how much the Languedoc Roussillon has to offer! Map of Languedoc Roussillon Click here for a more detailed map of the Languedoc Roussillon Travel links to the Languedoc Roussillon Click here for details of travel links to the Languedoc Roussillon The Languedoc Roussillon Forum Ask questions and help others at the Forum. Need a Number? Find useful contact details for local Languedoc Roussillon businesses in the Directory. LinksLearn About WineRoussillon Wines - Domaine Treloar Choosing a Wine Club Romantic Dinner Recipes |
Languedoc Roussillon Food & Wine
|
Wine Tasting - 10% Discount in September*
 Vinécole is the new wine experience of the Languedoc Roussillon. Learn about wine in a relaxed and social environment, with expert advice and in a superb location. *Mention FrenchEntrée when booking.
Restaurant in the Minervois
 L'Es Pratx is a unique restaurant close to Narbonne where the menu is always changing with many dishes to excite your classical taste buds & eclectic dishes for the curious!
Special Places to Stay - Languedoc Roussillon
 Find beautiful holiday rentals and gorgeous B&Bs in the Languedoc Roussillon.
|
FrenchEntrée was delighted to be invited to discover Vinécole, where Master of Wine, Matthew Stubbs, offers a vast range of courses and seminars for both the beginner and the initiated covering every aspect of the wine industry in the Languedoc-Roussillon from learning how to appreciate the region's best wines to finding out if buying a vineyard is the right investment for you! 
The Chateau des Ducs de Joyeuse is situated less than an hour south of Carcassonne, close to the mysterious Rennes-le-Chateau at the heart of Cathar country. Within the grounds of this beautifully restored 16th century castle, is a charmingly presented vaulted dining room where Maitre Restaurateur chef Robert Abraham serves refined, creative cuisine for delighted guests. 
In June 2010 local Michelin-starred chef Jean-Marc Boyer (Les Puits du Trésor, Lastours) will be helping to showcase Languedoc-Roussillon wine and cuisine at a dinner event in New York organised by the prestigious James Beard Foundation. Jean-Marc Boyer is delighted to have this exceptional opportunity, and this summer will be presenting diners at his 
Something special is happening in the countryside outside Carcassonne. Ten minutes drive from Limoux set atop a raised field of vines stands an impressive Domaine. The broad driveway cuts up through the vineyard conjuring an image of bygone grandeur. This is 
The true gourmet visiting the Languedoc-Roussillon will want to know all about the local delicacies and culinary traditions. So, I have pretty much travelled the length and breadth of the region eating and tasting along the way (hard job, but someone has got to do it) and so I now offer you this gourmet tour of the Languedoc-Roussillon, highlighting the delicious treats and hidden secrets that you’ll really want to look out for when you’re here. 
Vin & Company and Aerobus offer exclusive wine tours in the Languedoc, as well as initiations to wine tasting and a monthly wine club. A relaxing day out with friends and family, a great activity for your guests or a special treat for a birthday or celebration. 
For those of us looking for a guarantee of excellent cuisine in an idyllic location, day after day and night after night, Peter and Sally Shaw have hit upon the perfect solution: gourmet cuisine weeks. 
Great news from Michelin chef Jean-Marc Boyer - now you can take a taste of his award-winning cuisine home with you! Next time you dine at his restaurant the Puits du Trésor, make sure to visit his Boutique Traiteur which features a range of regional inspired jars you can take home to enjoy, including the regional speciality cassoulet. And for those who live locally and can't wait for your next visit to the restaurant contact the Puits du Trésor direct to organise home delivery! Find out more about 
Every month the team at Domaine Gayda invite you to a special musical event - enjoy a delicous dinner accompanied by local and international jazz musicians for between €25 - €45 per person (includes dinner, price varies each month). For more information about Domaine Gayda 
L’Es Pratx is a new restaurant created by Tim & Sasha Hazael at their Chateau du Puits Es Pratx near the Canal du Midi in Ginestas, just north of Narbonne in the department of the Aude. Set in a stunningly renovated wine cave, Sasha specialises in delicious French Fusion cuisine 
The 21st Toques & Clochers wine festival will be held in the village of Couiza, over the weekend of the 27th - 28th March 2010. The festival, celebrating and promoting the chardonnay wines of the region, is an important date each year for local wine producers and international wine buyers. For the rest of us the Toques & Clochers festival is simply a good old fashioned knees up! 
The Languedoc has fascinating Cathar Castles, many magical grottes and some of the best restaurants in the south of France and just 15 minutes north of Carcassonne you can find all three in and around the small town of Lastours - the recipe for a great day out! 
The Languedoc-Roussillon is the largest viticultural region on the planet and wine is central to its culture. So what does a vigneron do? Here is a “through-the-keyhole” view of just one day in the life of a vigneron. Not a typical vigneron but and English vigneron in the Roussillon – Jonathan Hesford of Domaine Treloar. 
A date for your diary: the black truffle, also known as the "black pearl" or "black diamond" of the kitchen, will be the highlight of this winter's culinary season at Villeneuve-Minervois in the Aude, where the traditional annual truffle markets will take place on the 26th December 2009, 16th January and 6th February 2010 from 9 am. Accompanied by pomp and ceremony, an artisan produce market, cookery demonstrations from local chefs and truffle dishes served at the local restaurants, this is a serious gastronomic event that should not be missed! For more information please visit the Villeneuve-Minervois 
Those of you who have read our review of Domaine Gayda vineyard and restaurant close to Carcassonne, and have been lucky enough to taste their wine or eat there, will understand how delighted I was to have the opportunity to taste the rest of their wines. So, on a sunny Thursday morning, FrenchEntrée gathered together a group of five keen wine-drinkers to scrutinise the free wine-tasting offered by this young enterprising label. 
The passionate region of the Languedoc Roussillon delights in its strong culinary traditions which are attributed to the unique and diverse blend of its multi-cultural peoples. Here we showcase some of the chefs and restaurants which are putting Languedoc cuisine on the map, as well as some more traditional restaurants which are highly recommended! Bon Appetit! 
After a cold wet winter and an unseasonably “grey” spring, the sun that this wonderful region is famous for has finally made a grand entrance. This is the time when white and rosé wines come into their own and even more macho rugby types can be seen drinking the pink stuff. 
The passionate region of the Languedoc Roussillon delights in its strong culinary traditions, attributed to the unique and diverse blend of its multi-cultural peoples. From hearty Cassoulet stews to traditional Spanish paella, there is a rich mix of cuisine to suit every palate - made sweeter by the excellent local produce! 
For centuries the Languedoc Roussillon region has been famed for its ideal vine growing conditions: today it is one of the most important wine-making areas of France. Its Mediterranean climate and diverse landscape produces wines to suit every palette. We explore Languedoc Roussillon wines, and showcase local vineyards.
There are a number of recognised gastronomic guides in France which highlight the many superb quality restaurants in Languedoc-Roussillon, here is a quick look at some of them so that you don't have too far to go the next time you’re looking to enjoy a gastronomic treat in the region. 
A visit to the southern Languedoc department, Pyrenees Orientales (also known as Roussillon), could not be complete without tasting one of the exquisite sweet wines the department is famous for. Once you've tasted a Banyuls or a Maury it's easy to get hooked, so here is a little guide to which wine works with which food!
Every once in a blue moon, while on my travels with Mrs Sandford, I make the mistake of driving into a town or city I don't know looking for a place to eat. So, here a little gem in Nimes for your address book in case you find yourself wandering its pretty streets! 
Over three days in May Nimes becomes the Mediterranean focal point for olives. In 2004 15,000 visitors and 100 exhibitors made the event the largest olive-centred market in France. This is an event not to be missed by gourmands everywhere![1].jpg)
A visit to the region would not be complete without a taste of this sparkling gem - a dry, creamy-textured, full-bodied wine with fruity aromas, a clean taste and a long full finish. Find out more about the legend behind the wine and where to find it.
If you’re looking for a traditional Languedoc-Roussillon dessert to delight your dinner guests, then why not turn your hand to the surprisingly simple preparation of a Crème Catalane – a favourite from the French Catalonia area in the south of the region bordering Spain. 
Chef Pascal Ledroit creates classy gourmet dishes in the upper floor 
Drive around the villages of the Languedoc Roussillon and you're bound to see the very strange word ”Byrrh” painted onto the sides of buildings in fading lettering. FrenchEntrée went to discover the origins of the historic Byrrh apertif, one of the most iconic products of the Languedoc Roussillon!
In the heart of the medieval Cité of Carcassonne, famed for its Cathar resistance fighters of yore, a new revolution is afoot: a young restaurant owner is offering fantastic proper cuisine on his menus for just 10 euros (including a glass of wine)! What's more, Pierre Gobin concentrates on using local produce in innovative, sometimes exotic, concoctions which never fail to hit the mark! 
La Galinette restaurant is where chef Christophe Comes delights his clientele with some of the finest cuisine to be found in Perpignan. FrenchEntrée went to meet this young, ambitious chef to find out more about his “philosophy”, hopes and future plans..jpg)
FrenchEntrée is delighted to publish this wonderful recipe from Le Couvent B&B in Roujan. Your next dinner guests are sure to be delighted when you serve up this delicious French classic.
FrenchEntrée is delighted to publish this wonderful recipe from Le Couvent B&B in Roujan. A refreshing sorbet, perfect for sultry summer evenings in the Languedoc.
In the Languedoc-Roussillon apéritifs are more than something to eat and drink before a meal, they are an entire social custom! Here is our quick beginner's guide to the apéritifs popular in the region including Pastis, Kir, Kir Royal, Muscat, Banyuls, Maury, Byrrh and Noilly Prat. 
The recipe for a perfect Audois cassoulet is a subject of much debate - some of it bordering on the fanatical! Gemma Driver takes her life in her hands by asking what all the fuss is about, and gives you her definitive recipe ...
It's hard to imagine many people getting as excited and passionate about a Lancashire hot pot as the French do over a cassoulet; but of course to the French food is more than just food, and as far as they're concerned this traditional Audois dish is definitely more than just a bean stew!
Olive tapenade on toast is an ubiquitous element of any apéritif accompaniment in the Languedoc. This olive tapenade recipe is a local recipe from the Gard, Languedoc, hence it is an utterly authentic recipe and utterly delicious!
What struck me immediately on my first visit to Languedoc was the common nature of olive trees - they grow in gardens, they grow on pavements, they grow in front of supermarkets, they grow in the middle of roundabouts. So, I ask myself, how do they get from tree to table? And can I pick the olives in my own garden?
September is the most exciting time in the winemaker’s calendar as the harvest begins. For the wine-lover the change in temperature and the shorter days means an equally exciting shift in drinking habits: less rosé is consumed and the bigger reds come back in to vogue, and it is time to explore whites as the oyster season returns... 
A look at the traditional rice cultivation in the region, and a yummy recipe too! The first cultivation of rice in the Camargue dates back to around 1600. There are now 10,000 hectares of rice grown in the region, much of it exported across the world. 
French onion soup from the Languedoc Cévennes is perhaps not everyone's immediate favourite dish. But have you actually tried it?! No? well, by all accounts they get cold up there in the Cévennes and this is what they eat to warm themselves up and keep going until the summer comes back round. If it works for them, it could help us through a cold winter too!
The reinette apple is an apple grown widely in the Languedoc Cévennes and is ripe at the beginning of winter. It is good for eating fresh as well for cooking. If you ask anyone who lives in the Languedoc how to make an apple tart, you will get many different versions, this is one we like.
Pelardon, a little round of goat's cheese, has been produced since Roman times in the Languedoc, and now is produced in five departments surrounding the Gard and the Cévennes region. Here is a little taste of its history and a delicious way to serve it!
For those who believe that the truffle only grows in the Perigord, think again: the black truffle is also cultivated in Provence and the Languedoc. Here is a guide to truffles in the Languedoc and Provence regions - some history, and some advice about buying truffles, about preparing them and some simple authentic truffle recipes from the region. 
A look at the main characteristics of the AOC wines of the Aude - a department of the Languedoc Roussillon that is not very well known, and yet one that produces an enormous amount of its wine. With well over a third of its land devoted to vine growing there are a myriad different types of wine to discover. 
An introduction the AOC wines of the Pyrenees-Orientales (also known as the Roussillon) - the most southerly department of the Languedoc Roussillon which profits from its glorious climate to produce some of the most complex and interesting wines in the region, including fortified and sweet dessert wines. 
The Hérault and Gard departments of the Languedoc-Roussillon are home to some of its most internationally known wine terroirs such as Saint-Chinian, Pic Saint Loup, Costières de Nimes and Muscat de Lunel - learn more about these wines and the many others for which this region is admired! 
It’s summer, so it doesn’t matter what wine you drink as long as it’s pink! The English rediscovered rosé in the long hot summer of 2003, but in the Languedoc it’s been quaffed for years. Wine lovers may scoff at rosé – too simple, too drinkable, not enough taste – but when the temperatures rise, good red is hard to enjoy and even many whites don’t quite hit the spot. 
Christmas dinner in the Languedoc is usually a traditional affair, the highlights of which are a starter of oysters, a delicious stuffed roast turkey and a yummy Buche de Noel (Christmas Yule Log) for desert. Have yourself a sumptuous festive feast enjoying some of the region's 
