A guide to French wine regionsEach distinct region in France has its own style and grape varieties...
Did you know? First system for canning food was invented by French man Nicolas Appert dethroned previous methods of food preservation with the breakthrough in 1795. It was later discovered that this new invention also eradicated bacteria
French dressing is news in US but orange sauce is not found in FranceA 72-year old rule governing ingredients of the sweetened salad sauce has been dropped - but its association with France remains a mystery
How winemakers in France are reducing pesticide useAlternatives are being created, opening the doors to an increasingly organic and sustainable agriculture, writes Connexion’s regular columnist and vigneron Jonathan Hesford
France’s January galettes des rois cakes hit by butter shortagesSome good quality butter has risen in price by as much as 25% or more in a year with knock-on effects for the traditional treat
French Champagne’s record €5.5bn year is ‘victory for good living’Industry expert says that 2021 sales are likely to be the ‘best ever year for Champagne’ – a marked improvement after the sector was badly hit during the first lockdown in 2020
France is country where alcohol is drunk the most often, poll findsPeople in France drink alcohol on 132 days of the year, well above the global average of 101, but they are not the heaviest drinkers
French engineers build website to calculate ideal raclette quantitiesThe site aims to make sure that no food is wasted and no one goes hungry while poking fun at the world of start-ups
Truffle season starts in France with quantity down but quality upThe prized black Haut-Var truffle went on sale for a near record €600 per kilo in late November with prices set to soar as high as €1,000 per kilo by Christmas
Saint-Nectaire cheese shortage in France due to bad weather conditionsProducers of the AOP cheese warn of shortages over Christmas due to a lack of milk
Explained: Sulphites in French wineIncreasing numbers of wines are being marketed as 'No Added Sulphites' or 'Sulphite-free'. Winemaker Jonathan Hesford writes on innovative marketing, mousy smells and false information
Bad weather means wine production down in France by a quarterIt means the country is relegated to third place globally, behind Spain and Italy, as experts warn of a bad year for 2021 overall
Go green: Meet the spirulina producer in France (who even sells soap)Hugo Baudet produces spirulina at his farm La Plaine-sur-Mer in Loire-Atlantique
When is the right time for grape picking in France?One of the most stressful and difficult decisions a vigneron or winemaker has to make is when is the right time to harvest their grapes, writes winemaker Jonathan Hesford
Quercy speciality saffron is really worth its weight in goldGrower Françoise Laval has been picking prized crocus stigmas for 22 years and was one of the first to join the Safran du Quercy association
Which fruit and veg cannot be sold under plastic in France from 2022?The move is part of a plan by France to eliminate single use plastic by 2040. Currently 1.2 billion plastic containers are used annually for fruit and vegetables
France wins ‘world cup for chefs’ with lockdown-inspired menuTeam led by Davy Tissot from the Michelin-starred Saisons restaurant near Lyon impressed judges with a platter of beef and lockdown dining inspired takeaway
French wine trade court case shows complexities of classificationWines produced just across the road from each other can vary hugely in price, and it is all down to the singular characteristics of the ‘terroir'
From tree to bottle: How wine cork production works in FranceA local association in southern France is offering a cork harvesting service on suitable forests in Roussillon
Bordeaux wines expert to launch online English-language guideThe subscription-based website is aimed at amateur wine lovers and will help them to understand which Bordeaux wines are best for their budget and taste
Most herbes de Provence sold in shops are not authentically FrenchLess than 5% sold in shops and markets around France are made entirely of French herbs, claims the Comité des Plantes à Parfum, Aromatiques et Médicinales (CPPARM)
What makes the perfect French wine fair?'Wine fairs are the perfect opportunity to discover local wines that are not in the supermarkets or taste and buy wines direct from producers from outside your region'
