Cannes is shining

H i   e v e r y b o d y

Today, I would like to present you an insider’s guide to a brilliant city of the French Riviera (the “Côte d’Azur” in French) : Cannes! 

I think everybody knows Cannes, or at least its famous Cannes Film Festival.

Cannes is for sure a glitter and bling City with its fabulous promenade “La Croisette" but it really should be one step of your French trip.

So why don’t start this trip visiting this successful city, assisting to its Festival and strolling on its beautiful hidden places?

 

It is sure that the world-class collection of palace hotels is kept turning over happily. The ambitious boutiques, too. Amazingly the story of a modest little town in the South of France is constantly holding the world’s attention!

I went there last year in May for a week end, and I just kept an amazing memory of the time I spent there. It was the same week than the Film Festival, so I will tell you more about it on this article…

Firstly, even if it is the beginning of all traditional tourist tour, you MUST start your day with a walk on the magnificent Croisette. The old Suquet Hill district, just past the port, where Cannes stated in a broth of wriggling streets, will also be the perfect area for a relaxing stroll.

Then, in order to have a break full of sunshine, the only thing you have to do is to sunbathe at one of the beach bordering the city (just follow the palmtrees they will lead you...)

If you are lucky, maybe you will be visiting Cannes during the week of its famous Festival. It is for you a great opportunity to get a crowd bath between stars and photographers. To assist at movies projection you need a special card (or to wait several hours at the entry..). But to go there will be the opportunity for you to discover the “Palais des Festivals et des Congrès”. Above all, isn’t it amazing to plunge at once into this particular atmosphere ?

This year, the 69^th Cannes Film Festival will take place from the 11^th until the 22^nd of May 2016, with an exciting line-up showcasing a mix of anticipated films from across the world.

This year, Woody Allen will open the Festival with his latest comedy, Café Society. The Australian filmmaker George Miller (“Mad Max” director) has been selected to head the jury and hand out the Palme d’Or.

You can also visit the official website of the Festival to get more information. 

The most difficult thing to face during these holidays will be to find a place on the sand for your beach towel…and that’s all! The great life, isn’t it ?

This is already my last article.. I hope you enjoyed discovering France through its cities. 

Have a great trip there ! 

Fanny

T h a n k   y o u   g u y s

A wee guide to French wines

H i   e v e r y b o d y,
 

Today, I have decided to write about one of the most important key point of the French culture: the Wine. I am delighted to raise this subject because :

- It’s friday so... do you know a better way to start the week end than with a glass of good wine for the “apéritif”?

- I feel nostalgic about French wine, because even if in Glasgow you can find several wines in shops, in my opinion prices and quality are not as enjoyable as in France.

- Finally, I find that the wine topic is really interesting. Last year, with my university, I worked for the communication strategy of a vineyard estate. I loved discovering all subtleties of each wine.

I will try to offer you a wee guide about French wine, for anyone who wants to start leaning about wine in an unformal and friendly way! I hope it will help you to be more comfortable in the French section of your local wine shop.

Wine for beginners, have a look!

First thing to know: Wines in France are named for the region and/or subregion from which they come, rather than the varietal of grape used. You can find several regions for wines in France:

• Alsace : The region is known for its acidic, spicy whites with flavors of apples and citrus, made from traditional German winemaking grapes. The wines may be sweet dessert style wines or dry wines.

• Bordeaux : probably the most well-known of all France’s wine regions.

• Burgundy/Bourgogne : famous for Pinot Noir wines, deep purple wines with flavor of plums, tobacco, earth and dark fruit.

• Champagne : this region produces sparkling wines. Sparklers from Champagne offer flavors of vanilla, biscuits and citrus, bubbling up with a refreshing effervescence.

• Loire : Famous for its white wines, and has multiple subregions, including Sancerre and Muscadet

• Languedoc : This region produces many French table wines made from blends of red grapes such as Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Grenache.

• Provence : This region offers dry, fruity reds and blush wines made from Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Tibouren. Most of them are consumed as table wines in France.

Some tricks to savoure your wine…

Concerning the glassware…

Each wine has something unique to offer to your senses. Most wine glasses are specifically shaped to accentuate their defining characteristics. Even if wine can be savored in any glass, a wine glass will help you to better experience its nuances. 

What about temperature ?

Reds and whites are consumed at quite different temperatures. I won’t give you detailed information about the exact wine services temperatures, because I guess not everyone has a thermometer on hand... A good rule to note is that white wines should be chilled before drinking and red wines should be have time to rise in temperature. 

More concretely?
 

Put your whites in the refrigerator for half an hour and take your reds out of the refrigerator for half an hour !

Dessert wines, sparkling wines and rosés are best enjoyed at a cooler temperature than whites.

Did you say preservation ?

When you have leftover wine in the bottle, preservation is key.

As wine comes into contact with air, it quickly spoils. To slow down the deterioration process, use a quick vacuum pump to suck out the excess air. The less air in the bottle, the longer the wine’s lifespan.
You don't have a vacuum pump ? No worries ! I assure you that there won’t be a lot of wine at the bottom of the bottle if you manage to choose a good one ;) 

 S t a y   t u n e d !