I am excited to welcome the venerable Maison Martin-Pouret's Orléans vinegars to our store! Founded more than two centuries ago, the venerable Maison has remained true to its traditional craft to this day, making vinegars with carefully selected French wines slowly fermented, then aged in oak barrels for over a year. Aromas are as rich as you can expect when nothing is rushed...
We now carry Martin-Pouret red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, white wine with tarragon vinegar, and champagne vinegar (the key ingredient for this gourmet champagne vinaigrette). Both red wine and white wine vinegars come in two sizes, 25cl (8.5 fl oz) and 50 cl (16.9 fl oz). Take your time and sample to your heart's content!
If you are curious about food history, as I am, the reason why Martin-Pouret is located in Orléans is because, the city being the last fluvial port on the way to Paris from the Loire Valley, it used to be where the wines shipped from that region were checked and unloaded when they had turned sour. Up until the 19th century most French vinegars were made in Orléans for this very reason.
Savor the flavors and take good care of yourself.
Marianne
Owner & Gourmand-in-Chief
This month's deals: 20% off Chabert & Guillot nougat bars, Chocolaterie de Margaux sarments du Médoc, and Clément Faugier marrons glacés (candied chestnuts) with coupon code SEP2020 (offer valid until September 30, 2020, or until supplies last).
Just in: more French favorites
Among the French favorites recently added to our shelves you will find Delouis lime mayonnaise, Biscuiterie de Provence gluten-free almond macarons des Baronnies, and culinary essences from Grasse in two new flavors: caramel and passion fruit.
If there is a French treat you would like to find on our website, please share your craving with us.
Suggestions for your French agenda
Exciting on-site French cultural events are back this side of the pond. Enjoy your picks safely! (All the events listed below are on-site, not virtual.)
Chicago's Art Institute presents Intimate Modernity, an exhibition showcasing the French Nabi movement, though November 22; Toulouse-Lautrec and the Celebrity Culture of Paris, through January 31, 2021; and Monet and Chicago, through January 18, 2021.
In Jackson, MS the Mississippi Museum of Art presents Van Gogh, Monet, Degas and Their Times: The Mellon Collection of French Art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Through January 10, 2021.
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts presents Paris in the Days of Post-Impressionism: Signac and the Indépendants. Through November 15.
New York's MoMA presents Félix Fénéon: The Anarchist and the Avant-Garde—From Signac to Matisse and Beyond. Through January 2, 2021.
In Washington DC the National Gallery of Art presents Degas at the Opéra. Through October 12.
Try out our champagne vinaigrette recipe
Intrigue and delight your foodie guests with this refined vinaigrette!
Ingredients (serves 6-8)
18 cl (¾ cup) olive oil
6 cl (¼ cup) champagne vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 pinch sugar
salt and pepper to taste