OK, London in September 2009 opened the global celebration of the wines and foods of Languedoc Roussillon.(as well as their crafts during the London Design Festival).
I noted that "Romain Henry, sommelier at Gordon Ramsay’s Maze restaurant has been named the first Sud de France UK Sommelier of the Year."
The opening on October 2 (program makes it look like it was October 1st) of New York's first Sud de France Festival brings sunshine into our Fall season and kicks off a month of global activities.
Brazil gets started at the same time than New York with events in Sao Paulo, Rio and Belo Horizonte and like New York run until October 12.
Chef Lionel Giraud (pictured above) from Table de Saint Crescent in Narbonne will be making stops in Rio and So Paulo.
After London, Brazil and New York the Sud de France Festivals Site lists Mexico as next with festivities from October 9 to October 25.
Last comes Shanghai which concludes the fireworks from October 12 to October 25th.
The program in all countries is a combination of tastings, wine and food pairing events, special menus and wine offerings in local restaurants as well as promotions and samplings in local wine stores.
Check the program for each city (in local language) on the Sud de France Festivals Site for more details.
Getting back to what's happening in New York, If you are in Brooklyn on Saturday, October 3rd, Sip Fine Wine will let you sip some of their favorites from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.
Looking for a treat, "Chefs Doug Psaltis and Cédric Tovar have devised a Mediterranean French dinner of 5 courses, each paired with a wine from Languedoc Roussillon" at the James Beard Foundation on October 6th.
To make your mouth water, the Hors d'Oeuvres:
Brandade de Morue Vol-au-Vents > Brandade-Filled Puff Pastries
Grilled Sardine Escabèche
Tuna Confit Crostini with Eggplant Caviar and Green and Black Olive Tapenade
Petite Friture > Fried Smelt with Aïoli
Chilled Artichoke Barigoule with Jambon de Pays
Wine Pairing:
Saint-Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux 2006
Le Jaja de Jau Syrah Rosé 2008
Sante and Bon Appetit!
Here comes the sun!