December 6: Book Signing and Wine Tasting with David Lebovitz, Heather Stimmler-Hall, Keith Spicer

November 30, 2009  by Genevieve Sandifer

If you happen to be wandering by the Louvre on December 6th and find yourself wishing you had your Parisian second cousin on hand to point you in the direction of a meal that’ll really blow you away, or maybe a little advice on where to take a newfound Parisian flame, you might consider stopping by the ‘Caves du Paradis’ for some wine, a chat and a little required reading.

On December 6th, O Chateau and Context Tours are teaming up to present a wine tasting–book signing event with famed expats David Lebovitz, Heather Stimmler-Hall, and Keith Spicer in the Caves du Paradis. The setting itself is worth a detour; the historical cellars that constitute O Chateau’s headquarters are over 300 years old and used to house the royal sommelier’s stash. The guests of honor aren’t too shabby either: David Lebovitz, author of The Sweet Life in Paris, is one of France’s most pre-eminent Anglophone food critics and has a blog loved by professionals and amateurs alike. Heather Stimmler-Hall, an expert on Paris’ hidden gems, will be signing her alternative city guide The Naughty Paris Guide; and Keith Spicer, a Canadian journalist, will be presenting Paris Passions, his witty collection of short stories about – what else? – the French. Continue Reading »

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Adventures in Wine with Ô Chateau

July 3, 2009  by Tory Hoen

All photos courtesy of O-chateau.com

It’s no secret that wine is a fundamental part of life in France, and it’s no wonder that wine lovers throughout the world hold French wine in particularly high esteem. From production to consumption, the rituals and processes associated with French wine reflect the essence of what life in this country is all about: quality, tradition, and of course, joie de vivre.

But for many visitors to France—wine novices and aficionados alike—the world of French wine can be as intimidating as it is enticing. The seemingly simple act of navigating a wine list is, in fact, anything but simple when you consider the many factors involved—region, grape variety, vintage, and the ever-elusive concept of terroir. Luckily, sommelier Olivier Magny and his dynamic team at Ô Chateau have set out to demystify the world of French wine and to remind us why we love it: it’s fun. 

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