We are fortunate enough to be in Provence at the moment.  Our Experience Provence Tour has begun.  After a few delayed flights,  and 1 lost bag, we are settled and enjoying the time in this magical place. 

The first evening we left St. Cecile-les-Vignes to find Domain Rouge-Bleu on the edge of the village.   Kristen Espinasse writes French-Word-a-Day and she and her husband Jean-Marc are the vignerons.

The tasting and discussion took place around this table in a lovely setting.  Jean-Marc shared a few tips that I had never heard about tasting, that I’d like to share.

He had just come back from an event where professionals taste wine, and we were curious about all of his gesticulations with the nose and mouth were about when he was tasting so we asked for some tips from a professional.

One tip he mentioned was to oxygenate the wine by swirling it around in the glass, but when he swirls the wine around the glass, he is serious.  This is no “whish” around the glass, but a seriously tornadic event.  Even more impressive is the fact that every drop stays in the glass.

He told us about a vacuum/bubbling action he also does to really take in the scent as one tastes, but if that cannot be mastered, blowing air out the nose immediately after swallowing will intensify the scent.

If the scent remains 5 seconds after tasting, the wine is ok.  5-10 seconds is good and 10 or more exceptional.

http://www.rouge-bleu.com/

Lavandin

What is the difference between lavandin and lavender essential oil?  When a customer at the market poses this question, it is very easy to open up both bottles and ask the nose to answer. 

When you are shopping online, this is not as easy to explain.  If you could smell both of these oils, you would note that the lavander is very sweet and pure.  It could and is often used as a perfume.  The lavandin is more camphorous and makes a much stronger impression. 

The origin of both plants is France, although lavandin especially is grown all over Europe and in many other countries as well.  Lavander grows at elevations of 1800 ft. and higher, whereas lavandin grows starting at elevations of 1000 ft.  Many of the fields of lavender you see in Provence, especially if the plants are tall, are of lavandin.

Lavandin is a hybrid of lavander officianalis and aspic or spike lavender.  Structurally lavandin has 3 heads on a spike, as opposed to the lavender flower head which is always single.  Lavandin is heartier and more pest resistant than lavender as well.

I use lavander essential oil more for personal use.  As a signature scent perfume, in the lavender mist or by adding a few drops in the bath water. 

Lavandin is great for household use.  I add a few drops to my bucket when mopping, cleaning the counters, floors, furniture or even in the bathroom and toilet as it also possesses an antiseptic quality.    I also douse a cotton-ball with oil and put it in the vacuum bag.  The great thing about household use is that I enjoy the relaxing scent while performing these menial tasks, and get to enjoy the clean fresh scent in my home daily.