In fact in France alone, there are over 1,000 different kinds of cheeses made, that range from Camembert to Époisses and of course the well known goat’s cheese which delight’s everyone’s palate.

This creamy cheese comes in lots of flavours and textures from the mildest soft cheese to the hardest strong cheese and tastes great when baked in the oven and spread on bread. Made all over France and especially in the Loire Valley and Poitou regions, goat’s cheese is great tasting and also makes a fantastic alternative for those that are allergic to cow’s milk.

In this video, chef Sophie Wright shows you just how easy it is to create a simple but tasty goat’s cheese log slice, roasted beetroot and parsnip salad that you can enjoy anytime.

For more delicious goat’s cheese recipe ideas visit www.frenchgoatscheese.com

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Whether you stayed at home or travelled to Europe and have the post holiday blues, worry not as some of the very best quality produce is available in the UK and readily at your fingertips.

In this video, wine expert Joe Wadsack gives you tips on making the most out of Port (and not just for Christmas), the wines of the Burgundy region in France and the Douro Valley in Portugal. He’ll also give advice to ensure you’re trying true top-quality European foods that have the PDO official stamp. Watch Joe’s video to find out how to have your own “Pinot Noir Epiphany” and the best way to serve and eat hors d’oeuvres like Parma ham and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

For more information visit: discovertheorigin.co.uk

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The French House Party is a listed Top Retreat in the National Geographic book, The 100 Best Worldwide Vacations to Enrich Your Life and we now have an enormous, brand-new kitchen, designed specifically for group cookery classes. We’re thrilled to welcome award-winning French chefs, Franck Putelat, Robert Abraham and Jean-Marc Boyer onto our team.

When not leading our hands-on classes, our chefs run their own renowned gourmet restaurants in Carcassonne and nearby towns.

Outside France, they may not be household names, but they have a celebrity status with French people television appearances, countless newspaper articles, Michelin stars and top-class recommendations in the most influential restaurant guides mean that they and their signature dishes are synonymous with cooking innovation and flair.

Lovers of food, wine and travel now have a unique opportunity to cook in France, learning from master-chefs who will guide them through practical creativity in the kitchen. Using fresh and seasonal ingredients, they will demonstrate and teach the cookery techniques for mastering classic French cuisine with an added contemporary twist of adventure.

There are three course options:

* Cuisine in Brief (3-day weekend themed courses from £495 pp)
* Gourmet Explorer (6 days, from £1200 pp)
* Cook au Vin – a unique holiday in which guests spend 3 cooking days with our chef, plus 3 days study with a Master of Wine at our partner wine school to achieve a WSET qualification in wine knowledge (from £1400 pp.)

We will be holding a Preview weekend *for our cookery courses in France, from 6-8 November 2009 in Carcassonne. If you are interested in coming along to this or to one of our other Gastro Academy courses next year, we would be delighted to extend an invitation to one of your journalists.

If you want to learn more, visit us at the BBC Good Food Show from 13-15 November at London Olympia (Stand E41) or from 25-29 November at Birmingham NEC (Stand J76).

Alternatively telephone Moira Martingale on +44 1299 896819 or email on enquiries@frenchhouseparty.co.uk.
Website: www.frenchhouseparty.co.uk

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La Rochelle is set on the Bay of Biscay in France. The town has been preserved with its historic charm. Its old harbour is one of the most well preserved in the area. Its town centre is something that La Rochelle can be proud of also.

Cruise travellers to La Rochelle can also enjoy many other activities that the destination offers. Enjoyable trips into La Rochelle’s delightful countryside are particularly popular.

One of the highlights of La Rochelle is its historic centre; the town’s mediaeval buildings are a sight to behold. One can also explore the centre’s arcades. The Clock Tower Gate in La Rochelle is another spectacular sight. Cruise travellers will definitely enjoy going on one of the guided tours through this amazing part of La Rochelle.

Other highlights include Henry II’s House, the Maritime Museum, the Valois Chateau, the Ile d’Oleron and the Le Marais aux Oiseaux Bird Park.

Cruise travellers can also enjoy La Rochelle as a shopping destination. There are many excellent and unusual shops in La Rochelle that sell a wide range of goods.

If you are going on a cruise to France, you will most probably need a short stay Schengen visa if you are from outside the EU. This visa allows travel across member countries freely, including France. The Schengen visa will allow you stay in any member country for 90 days. These visas are issued for holidays, business travel, and for visiting family.

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Originating from a traditional Loire Valley Chateau south of Paris, the French are experts in all things romantic and Chambord will be sure to make your Valentine’s Day sparkle. Whether it’s as an accompaniment for that romantic meal for two or as a Valentine’s gift for the lady in your life, Chambord is the perfect alternative to all those predictable pressies this Valentines Day.

Made from black raspberries, Madagascan vanilla, Moroccan citrus peel and delicate honey tones, Chambord is the perfect partner for champagne, topped with a fresh raspberry or why not be adventurous and try your hand at a Pretty in Pink cocktail – the ultimate romantic tipple.

And for all the single girls out there this Valentine’s Day, why not treat yourself and your friends to a girls night in and experience your own romantic encounter with Pretty in Pink…a delicious sweet treat just for you this Valentines Day!

At just £6.49 (20cl bottle) Chambord looks as beautiful as it tastes with its elaborate orb bottle.

Here is a cocktail to try:

Pretty in Pink
Glass: Collins

Ingredients:

- 2 shots vodka
- 12 fresh mint leaves
- ½ shot freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ shot sugar syrup
- ½ shot Chambord
- Top with club soda

Method:

Muddle mint with vodka in base of shaker. Add lime juice and sugar, shake with ice and strain into ice filled glass. Top with Chambord and soda and stir.

Garnish:

Raspberry and mint sprig.

SPECIAL VALENTINE’S DAY OFFER!

Another way to make your Valentine’s week special is to head to Brown’s Bar & Brasserie for a set meal and a bespoke selection of Chambord Valentine’s cocktails with your loved one or with friends. When you order a Chambord cocktail on Valentine’s Day, you will receive a complimentary Chambord miniature – while stocks last.

Please enjoy Chambord responsibly.

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Here are a few happenings taking place in Bordeaux between April and June 2009:

April

Photography Festival (1st-30th April 2009)

Travel photographers exhibit at various venues open to the public around Bordeaux city, from galleries to bars. Ten photographers have travelled across the world to create these ‘works of art’. The festival exhibitions are free.

(t) 00 33 5 56 92 65 30 (w) www.itiphoto.com

May

La Nuit des Musées (16th May 2009)

All Bordeaux’s museums will be open until 1am for one night only and entrance is free. La Nuit des Musées offers a chance to whizz round the city’s finest temporary and permanent collections, as part of a European-wide cultural initiative. Many museums also mark the night with concerts.
(a) Tourist Office, 12 cours XXX Juillet (t) 00 33 5 56 00 66 00 (w) www.nuitdesmusees.culture.fr/

Union des Grands Crus Wine Weekend (16th-17th May 2009)

This is the fourth annual ‘Weekend des Grands Amateurs’ with over 100 Grand Cru châteaux owners getting together to offer wine lovers from all over the world the opportunity to sample an outstanding range of Grands Crus wines. It is a great way of unlocking the secrets of the great wines of Bordeaux, meeting the people who make them, and spending a weekend tasting Grands Crus wines like a professional, in the world capital of wine.

(t) 00 33 5 56 51 91 91 (e) ugc@ugcb.net (w) www.ugcb.net (h) 9.00-12.30, 14.00-18.00

VTV (Velo Tout Vigne) Le Médocain (30th May 2009)

This bicycle race is held around Margaux and competitors cycle through châteaux properties that lay on tastings and festivities. This event is the southern Médoc’s version of Pauillac’s Marathon, which is run through the vines. The race has three circuits between 25km and 75km, all departing from the town of Arsac.
(w) www.Médocainevtt.com/

June

Bordeaux Danse Musique (20th-21st June 2009)

A new event for 2009 baptised ‘Bordeaux Danse Musique’ – will take place just before the world’s largest wine fair Vinexpo at the Salon International. On the first day there will be dancing on the quays of Bordeaux and on the second day music will be celebrated with the ‘Fête de la Musique’.

Les Epicuriales (late June – July 2009)

This annual food fair provides something for the ears and the eyes as well as the palate. Approximately 30 restaurants offer dishes from around the world from stalls along the Allées de Tourny to the sounds of free concerts and street entertainment.
(t) 05 56 00 66 00

Guided Day Vineyard Excursions with the Bordeaux Office de Tourisme

These are just two tours (there are many more). They leave at 9.30am from the Office de Tourisme and returning at 6.30pm. Prices include guide, transport, visits, lunch and wine tastings.

Bordeaux, revealing the secrets of its great wines (Every Wednesday and Saturday 1st April to 15th November)

A day discovering Bordeaux’s vineyards starting with a visit to the historic ‘Les Chartrons’ area from where wines were originally sold and then on to see two châteaux in the prestigious wine growing areas of Saint-Emilion (Wednesdays) or the Médoc (Saturdays). 55 Euros.

Art & wine for enthusiasts in Médoc (Every Friday 15th May to 30th October)

A visit of three châteaux in the Médoc (Arsac, Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and Lynch-Bages), with lunch at Café Lavinal in Pauillac and a tour around an art gallery. 75 Euros.

Portes Ouvertes (Open Door Weekends)

On these weekends the châteaux of different Bordeaux appellations literally open their doors and welcome visitors wishing to tour their properties and taste their wines.
• (4th-5th April) Printemps des Vins de Blaye: Each year, more than 10,000 visitors discover the Citadelle of Blaye and taste the wines of some 80 winemakers.
• (4th-5th April) Portes Ouvertes en Médoc: Along the road from Bordeaux to the Pointe de Grave, the traditional Médoc area opens to visitors and presents its wines and cuisine.
• (19th April) Portes Ouvertes à Pomerol: Pomerol produces plummy, generous, long lived red wines considered the equal of the classified first growths of the Médoc and Saint-Emilion.
• (25th-26th April) Portes Ouvertes à Lalande-de-Pomerol: Over 20 participating châteaux organise entertainment to encourage visitors.
• (1st-3rd May) Saint-Emilion – Les Châteaux ouvrent leurs portes: Over 50 properties open and offer winery tours, free tastings, amusements and exhibitions.
• (9th May) Marathon des 1ères Côtes de Blaye: This will be the sixth annual marathon where participants run through the châteaux grounds and taste wines with traditional macaroons.
• (9th-10th May) Portes Ouvertes en Côtes de Bourg: There is a programme of vineyard visits (on foot, on horseback, by car.) and wine tastings with exhibitions and picnics.
• (16th-17th May) Vayres la Vie! Vayres le Vin!: This region is situated on the left bank of the Dordogne, between Bordeaux and Libourne.
• (16th-17th May) Portes Ouvertes en Côtes de St Macaire: St-Macaire is a town across the River Garonne from Langon (in Graves). The appellation is known for sweet white wines.
• (13th-14th June) Sainte-Croix-du-Mont en 4 saisons: A fun tasting of food and wine matching at which the winemakers are divided into four groups, each representing a season.
• (19th-21st June) Fêtons Saint-Emilion!: Saint-Emilion is a World Heritage site, with fascinating Romanesque churches and ruins stretching all along steep and narrow streets.

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The France Show 2009 continues to sign up the best Chefs, wine experts, travel writers, tour operators, property developers, estate agents and financial experts to accompany the array of features including live cooking demonstrations by Jean-Christophe Novelli, Can Can dancers, live musicians and caricaturists.

Other attractions on show will be a single storey green Oak timber frame construction by S.Harlow Period Oak, a ‘free-to-play’ Petanque court which has been sponsored by legendary French drinks brand Ricard, and a luxurious mobile home from Siblu Exclusif which proved very popular all weekend last year.

As you would expect, food at the show will be nothing but the finest, prepared and served on site by London’s oldest French eatery, Mon Plaisir and modern cuisine specialists Café des Amis.

There are some great competitions to be won at the show including a boating holiday on France’s rivers including ferry crossing from Le Boat and Brittany Ferries; with lots more exciting promotions detailed on the website at: www.thefranceshow.com/visitor-promotions.asp.

The official show website is www.thefranceshow.com.

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Well, you can learn from top French celebrity chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli at his Novelli Academy cookery school in Hertfordshire.  You can choose from a tempting array of one and two day cookery classes.

The courses, which include lunch, wines and refreshments throughout the day make a fun social day out or a novel Christmas gift or outing for friends or colleagues, whatever the level of culinary ability. Classes can take groups of up to fourteen and are taught by either Novelli himself, first-rate resident Academy chef Steven Kitchen or popular guest chefs such as Manju Malhi and Laurie Gear. Details can be seen on the website www.jeanchristophenovelli.com

Whereas earlier courses were predominantly taken up by ladies keen to meet Novelli and observe his impressive gallic and culinary skills close-up, there has been an increasing uptake by men on the classes to the point that there is now generally a 50/50 male to female ratio and some courses now run with more men than women!

‘Everyday Novelli’ cookery classes teach some of Novelli’s famous Modern European classics, and would make an ideal special gift for someone wanting to learn to cook a la facon Novelli.

Jean Christophe Novelli is a Michelin and 5AA Rosette award winning French chef, whose attributes include AA Chef’s Chef of the Year, European Chef of the Year finalist representing Great Britain and the prestigious Egon Ronay Dessert of the Year. He won Restaurant of the Year on numerous occasions and many other awards for culinary excellence. His Novelli Academy Cookery School, where he personally teaches or appears at many of the courses, is ranked as one of the top in the world.

Each Novelli Academy course needs a minimum of ten guests to run, and can take a maximum of fourteen – ideal for Christmas parties – and costs from £150 per person upwards.   For more details and to book online check out www.jeanchristophenovelli.com or call Tina Carter on 01582-454070.

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Organised exclusively for Kirker clients, stride out on a seven-night tour that offers food, wine and walking in equal measure – combining cookery demonstrations, ‘truffleculture’ tips and fine wine tasting with gentle strolls through châteaux grounds, private garden picnics and visits on foot to the bastide town of Monpazier, the famous prehistoric caves of Lascaux, and the villages of Issigeac and Saussignac.

‘Discover the Dordogne’ costs £1,885 pp (two sharing), including return flights to Bordeaux (Gatwick), seven nights’ châteaux/manor house accommodation with most meals, wine at dinner, all entrance fees/gratuities and the services of specialist tour hosts James and Diana Tamlyn.

Departs 9 May and 17 October 2009. Call Kirker Holidays on 020 7593 2284 (www.kirkerholidays.com).

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Here is a handy guide to the types of French Cheeses that exist.  Perfect for understanding what to look for when taking your next ferry trip to France.

Types of French Cheese

There is no question that cheese is synonymous with France.  With about 400 different types of French cheeses you could easily say that France has the largest selection of cheese in the world, or at the very least they have the most variety.  There are several ways to classify the cheese that comes from France.  You can classify them by region, origin, type of milk used or even fat content.  However, France has their own system of classifying their French cheese and that is by categories.

There are eight families of French cheese to choose from.  They include:

Fresh Cheeses – These cheeses are white in colour and contain a lot of water.  Made from cow’s milk, sheep’s milk, or goat’s milk these French cheeses are not aged.  Rather the curd is formed by adding lactic starter to the milk.  They are usually eaten separately or used in recipes and include Petit Suisse and Brousse.

Soft Cheeses with Natural Rind – Made from cow’s milk, these soft French cheeses have a white, almost floury surface.  Aged for approximately one month they include a lot of well known French cheeses such as Brie and Camembert.

Soft Cheeses with Washed Rind – Again made from cow’s milk, they are different because the rind is washed which prevents mould and gives the cheese a colourful rind.  The best known French cheeses from this group are Munster and Pont Leveque as well as other cheeses that are served on platters.

Pressed Cheeses – These types of cheese are put under pressure during processing which takes away some of the moisture of the cheese.  They are aged for several months whereas they are washed, brushed and turned to give a uniform look.  Two French cheeses in this group are Cantal, the oldest cheese in France, as well as Ossau-Iraty.

Pressed and Cooked Cheeses – Before going through the pressing process, the curd is heated for an hour.  Ripened over a long period of time, they are made mostly in the mountainous regions of France.  Two popular varieties include Emmental and Gruyere.

Goat Cheeses – Although some goat cheeses can be found in other categories, this category is devoted to the numerous goat cheeses that are available.  With over 100 varieties goat cheeses come in a lot of different sizes and shapes.  Two French cheeses that you can find a lot of in this category are Crottin de Chavignol and Pouligny-Saint-Pierre.

Blue Cheeses – Easily recognized because of the greenish blue colour running throughout them, they are mostly made from cow’s milk.  Ripened for a long period of time, they have a strong flavour that is popular throughout the world.  Blue de Bresse and Roquefort both are easy to find and taste delicious.

Processed Cheeses – These are a group of French cheeses that are blended together.  Usually sold in small portions they can be flavoured and are meant to be spread on crackers and other hors d’oeuvres.
Whichever of the French cheeses you choose from you will find a taste and consistency that you simply can’t find anywhere else.

For details of the various available Cross Channel ferry services and to book a cheap ferry ticket to France – visit http://cross-channel-ferry-tickets.co.uk/.

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