Today French wine is vigourously regulated to the highest standards in the world, mostly organic, none grown with child or slave labour and the best is hand cultivated and hand picked. Both regions maintain the highest integrity and Gaillac is learning to reposition its self in the wine market.
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Gold turns brown, an oblique reference to the credit crisis, dolpins or to wine?

An amusing French expression much used at Castelnau de Montmiral at present. Tous les jours ce n’est pas du temps de saison – all and every day it is not the weather for the season.

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All well here. Apart from I / we missed the Nouveaux Gaillac eve in Gaillac yesterday, drat.
This is quite a big social

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 It’s hot at times, today 36 C + in the shade. Massive thunderstorms forecast off the Pyrenees soon!   (more…)

Ever had your front door blocked by hailstones? Last night made a fair attempt out side my cottage!

Landscape painting  that is, painting plien aire (out doors)  is currently quite a challenge with temperatures often up to the mid 30’s C in the shade.   (more…)

Yesterday evening with Helene, Chantelle and Francoise from Castelnau de Montmiral we had an extra ordinary treat, Oriental dance and music.  

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The week end just passed is a big event in France, 90 % of shops shut. I was not allowed to buy one single drink… 

You might think this an odd place 3 hours drive inland to find a marine artist, to create marine art?   

Read of and have a taste of some reasons why (more…)

A splendid evening in Gaillac, live music, dancing and an excellent dinner with a plentiful supply of wine in the hotel garden. 

A beautiful evening under a romantic moon new friends made including an interesting, amusing Aussie. (more…)

Friends some times ask me why am I living so far from the sea when I am a marine art specialist and  a “man of the sea?
The full answer is complex. Part of the reason is the light is excellent for marine paintings.

Another part is it is fun here. I never know what events will happen next.

On my list right now is giving a dinner tonight for an advertising agency director and other friends, an evening dinner on Saturday with French friends and the fete des venedanges 23 to 30 October. 

I have little idea what it entales but the publicity picture from Gaillac sure looks fun, musiques, tapas et vins naturels.

What on earth is that girl doing in that barrel?