NPR 2/24/18
Two years ago, France introduced a law to force supermarkets to donate unsold food to charities and food banks. Skeptics called it unworkable at the time, but there are signs the effort is succeeding.
Listen at: French Food Waste Law Changing How Grocery Stores Approach Excess Food : The Salt : NPR
A truce has been reached to bring an end to the Camembert wars that have plagued one of France’s most pungent cheese for a decade, but some say the quality of the famous fromage will never be as good [ . . . ]
Read more at: Fears in France that Camembert truce will lead to cheese ruin – The Local
Last night at Maison de Pas De Merde, we watched one of our favorite films Babette’s Feast, to celebrate Valentine’s Day. My wife Linda introduced me to this film some 25 years ago, and we both still love it.
This film is also a favorite of Pope Francis, to whom we also offer a Valentine’s Day kiss.
Read more about Francis’ admiration for Gabriel Axel’s masterpiece in this column from Aleteia
Babette prepares her feast
In a recent interview Pope Francis again brought up his favorite movie, the 1987 film Babette’s Feast. He mentioned the Danish film while speaking with Avvenire, bringing it up in response to questions about those who criticized his ecumenical endeavors. Pope Francis compared the rigid behavior of those opposed to his ecumenical outreach to the rigid townspeople portrayed in Babette’s Feast.
This is the not the first time Pope Francis has referenced his favorite film. He even referenced it in Amoris laetitia, making Babette’s Feast probably the first film ever to be mentioned in a papal document.
So why does Pope Francis love this movie so much and continue to recommend it? What are the spiritual lessons we can learn from this movie? Continue reading “Why does Pope Francis want us to watch the movie “Babette’s Feast”?”
Monsieur Pas De Merde has been trying to land a job in Wine for many years, but can never progress any further than packing his school backpack with class supplies. Ah, me.
If you’ve heard that working in the wine industry is extremely fun, you’ve heard correctly. But here’s a fair warning: it can be a difficult industry to navigate and your success in it depends on how well you get to know the side of the business you go into. I’d even argue that having a passion for wine is only going to get you so far. Getting an education will give you a serious leg up.
I spoke to Christian Oggenfuss, the co-owner and Chief Education Officer of Napa Valley Wine Academy, about the different kinds of certification courses out there. Named “Best Global Educator of the Year” in 2016 by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), Oggenfuss has developed an impressive array of classes, seminars, workshops and boot camps, with many offered online…
Read full post at: The Best Courses to Help You Land a Job in Wine | Food & Wine
RECOMMENDED | It’s from the Anjou, a region not usually associated with quality, but it is great.
We usually don’t expect red wines from Anjou, a small subregion of France’s Loire Valley, to be any good, but here’s an example that will persuade even the most cynical wine skeptic to scour store shelves for obscure wines. I also recommend a refreshing New Zealand sauvignon blanc, a Tavel rosé to enjoy year-round, a lively California chardonnay and a second label from a popular Bordeaux chateau.
Loire Valley, France, $15
I’m on my soapbox here. There are some wines we simply refuse to believe in because they don’t come from high-profile regions with pedigrees and points. Anjou, in France’s Loire Valley, is known for light, insipid reds or rosés. But this wine should grab our attention. It’s 100 percent cabernet franc, the main red grape of the Loire, and yes, lighter in depth and body than more famous Loire appellations such as Chinon, Saumur or Bourgeuil. Aromatic with spicy white pepper and Bing cherry notes, it develops more complexity about 30 minutes after you pull the cork. The distributor is moving to the 2015 vintage; more stores, restaurants and wine bars should take a chance on it. ABV: 14 percent.
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More: A fantastic French red for just $15 a bottle – The Washington Post
There is something immensely attractive about the French and their born idleness, particularly in the south of the country, where boozy lunches move effortlessly into café crème and cramped cheese boards.While the UK weathers a turbulent swirl of political mayhem, with pundits and politicians squabbling over Brexit negotiations, the French, comfortable in their indolence, applaud Macron while twirling their greased moustaches and pouring themselves another glass of Pernod. Now that’s a life [ . . . ]
Source: Live the ‘douceur de vivre’ way of life in South of France, Le Midi | Metro News
Pas De Merde 