Warm gougères and chilled Crémant create a classic French apéritif pairing that balances richness with freshness. The gougères, light, airy choux pastries enriched with Gruyère or Comté, bake into crisp, golden bites with a soft, cheesy centre. Crémant, a traditional-method sparkling wine, adds bright acidity and fine bubbles that cut through the richness, making each bite feel light, elegant, and effortlessly moreish. Together, they turn simple snacking into lingering indulg

Despite the name, Jura wines have nothing to do with dinosaurs, even if the region sits on Jurassic limestone full of ancient fossils. I’ve always been drawn to this corner of France, so this piece follows my own take on its wines alongside a Jura-inspired menu featuring Morel Chicken and an oxidative white wine, a cheese course with Trousseau, and dessert wine pairing ideas. Part travel story, part wine guide, part very personal mushroom obsession.

Before Champagne became the world’s most famous sparkling wine, monks in southern France were already bottling bubbles in Limoux as early as 1531. This story follows the myths around Dom Pérignon, the real origins of sparkling wine, and why Blanquette de Limoux quietly deserves recognition as Europe’s oldest sparkling tradition. Along the way, we pair it with a classic French Tarragon Chicken, showing how history, food, and wine come together on the table.

Champagne has evolved into a hybrid of wine, art, and design, where major houses like Moët & Chandon, Ruinart, and Veuve Clicquot collaborate with leading artists to turn bottles into collectible objects. From Mucha’s Belle Époque posters to contemporary partnerships, Champagne now exists as both a luxury drink and a cultural artefact shaped by art, fashion, and storytelling.