My Own Private Provence

Endless fields of lavender, fine wine, and exquisite food -  the Provence region of France seemingly has it all. Sadly, I have no immediate plans to hop Air France to southeastern France's version of Shangri-La, but I have found a way to create my own little Provence right in my Manhattan living room!

Drink: M. Chapoutier Belleruch Cotes Du Rhone 2010
$12.99
Technically, this delightful Rosé is from the nearby Cotes du Rhone, a region north of Provence, but because I enjoyed it so much please permit me the indulgence of inserting this sassy wine into my private Provence. (Please don't call the wine police!) Cotes-Du-Rhone is one of France's most celebrated wine appellations and Belleruche (beautiful beehive) is an affordable wine with a flirty personality. Belleruche's blend of grenache, syrah, and cinsault grapes create a lovely pale pink wine with zesty flavors of cherry and citrus.  The perfect summer sip! (Something really cool - the Belleruche label is also printed in Braille.)

Read: Death at the Chateau Bremont: A Verlaque and Bonnet Mystery
$14
While other books set in Provence focus solely on the beauty of the region, writer M.L. Longworth shakes things up by placing her murder mystery in historic Aix-en-Provence. The murder of local nobleman Etienne Bremont at his family's chateau bring together the unlikely crime solving duo of chief magistrate Antoine Verlaque and his ex-girlfriend law professor Marine Bonnet. Handsome, wealthy, and a wee bit of a snob, Verlaque simply can not live without fine wine and cuisine and Death at the Chateau Bremont lovingly describes perfect French meals. Bad brioche is simply not tolerated! In fact, Verlaque's investigative skills seem to improve with each freshly shucked oyster or flute of champagne! For those of us who have never been to Provence, Madame Longworth's vivid descriptions of the region, from Aix to Marseille, do a splendid job of taking the reader on an exquisite adventure. This book is the first in a planned series.

Eat: Arnaud Mixed Provencal Olives
$7
I recently discovered these delectable and juicy olives and they are a fantastic snack.  Perfectly marinated in red wine vinegar and thyme, the quality is superb. A true Provencal treat, the Arnaud family has been curing and selling olives for three generations. 



Indulge: Provencal Landscape Candle from L'Occitane
$19
Let this aromatic candle transport you to the fragrant fields of Provence. Packaged in a travel-friendly tin, "the resiny fragrance is reminiscent of the sun-drenched, scrubland of the south of France." C'est si bon!