Winery: Domaine Mas de la Barben.
A long history for this vineyard where the cultivation of the vine would go back to the 13th century! Since 2014, the vines have been cultivated organically: without chemical fertilizers, pesticides and synthetic products to bring out the best of the clay and limestone soil of the rolled pebbles typical of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the Rhône Valley.
A blend of grapes from old Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre vines, the Cuvée Tradition we have chosen reflects this sunny terroir with great talent. A generous full-bodied wine with a garnet colour offering a complex nose of garrigue and red fruits, it expresses in the mouth aromas of spicy cooked fruit and subtle toasted vanilla notes. A very nice wine that goes perfectly with an happy hors d’oeuvres moment! Serve between 16º and 18º.
Artisan : Le Comptoir du Fougeray. / Epicure 2018 awards, Bronze medal
Rillettes, a 100% French delicacy, is a savoury spread similar to pâté but with a coarser, meatier texture topped by a protective film of lard. The all-natural product we chose was made the old-fashioned way: shredded poulard (from the best breeding farms awarded with the “label Rouge” certification) is emulsified in its own juices in a cast iron pot for more than 15 hours and seasoned with black truffles from Périgord.
Serve it spread on toast to experience all the rich nuances of its delectable flavour. A truly unique and delicious recipe to enhance a gourmet hors d’oeuvres feast.
Artisan: Le Temps des Mets.
This original gastronomical spread is sure to delight your guests, adding originality and flavour to any gourmet moment. Made using artisan methods by a small local producer in Six Fours les Plages, it mixes with elegancy the flavour of the chestnut with the creamy texture of the foie gras and the long and persistent finish of the cep.
On a slice of bread, it is just a must!
Artisan: Maison Duculty.
This dry-cured farmhouse sausage is a renowned speciality of Lyon, one of the cradles of French gastronomy. It comes in many different sizes and flavours: our box contains the original saucisson sec, but there are also nut, peppercorn, cheese, smoked and other varieties. We chose this particular sausage because it is made the traditional way from fresh pork with no dyes or preservatives. And because it is excellent of course !
Important: like all natural sausages, this product has a long shelf life and will not rot unless you keep it for several years. But it is possible and indeed common to find something called “bloom”, a white or occasionally greenish mould that grows naturally on the sausage casing. This mould is penicillium, from which we derive penicillin, and is found in a variety of food products (such as Roquefort and other blue cheeses). It is perfectly healthy and is even a sign of the sausage’s quality as long as it does not develop an unpleasant odour. The casing is 100% natural and perfectly edible, but we recommend that you remove it before eating to appreciate the full flavour and finesse of this artisanal sausage. Store in the canvas bag included in the gift box and keep it on the bottom shelf of your fridge. Serve in thin slices for a deliciously flavourful appetizer.
Producer: Le Temps des Mets.
This original olive spread is sure to delight your guests, adding colour and flavour to any gourmet moment. Made using artisan methods by a small local producer in Six Fours les Plages, it contains black olives, goat cheese, spices, aromatic herbs and extra virgin olive oil: just a delicious mix when served on toasts.
Artisan: Danos Frères.
Rillettes, a 100% French delicacy, is a savoury spread similar to pâté but with a coarser, meatier texture topped by a protective film of lard. The all-natural product we chose was made the old-fashioned way: shredded duck (raised by the artisans) is emulsified in its own juices for hours and seasoned with salt and pepper. When it get colder, our artisan just add some piece of foie-gras. Just a must-try ! Serve it spread on toast to experience all the rich nuances of its delectable flavour.
Producer: Les Oréliades.
Since 1982, the family business Les Oréliades, based in the Var town of Salernes, offers a wide variety of Provence's finest gourmet products. All of their recipes, prepared by hand using only local ingredients, are highly original, festive and inspired by tradition. This olive tapenade terrine, with aromas reminiscent of a soft summer breeze, is a savoury blend of black olives, capers and olive oil. We recommend serving it on toast as hors d’oeuvres or the perfect addition to a salad of lettuce, minced onion and caramelized tomato.
Producer: Les Oréliades.
This little jar is packed with the seductive aromas of sunshine and nature. A combination of warm, lively flavours, the main ingredient in this terrine is farigoule, a liqueur distilled from one of the region's most typical herbs: thyme. Ideal for a snack or appetizer.
Artisan: L'Attelier de Clisson.
At this small shop in Guérande, a town in southwest France famed for its butter and salt, every product is made using traditional methods and all-natural local ingredients. Nuts are the common denominator in every recipe, but they add sugar, caramel, spices or condiments to create a wide range of flavours and textures. For our box we chose organic caramelized cashew nuts seasoned with Kâmpôt pepper for their originality (a change from the more conventional cashews), surprising taste (the pepper-sweet contrast is outstanding) and super-extra-crunchy texture. These sinfully delicious morsels are too tempting to resist.
Artisan: Biscuiterie Apiflor.
We made our way to a village called Madic, on the border between the départements of Cantal and Corrèze, where we met an artisan who makes delicious organic traditional biscuits in bronze moulds. Genuine Cantal AOC cheese is added to the biscuit dough for a truly unique flavour. Ideal for nibbling with a glass of wine from your gourmet box—a crisp gourmet treat! Serving suggestion: to bring out the full flavour of these biscuits, bake them in the oven 2-3 minutes before serving.
At La Gourmet Box, we're all about thoughtful details, which is why we've tucked some surprises among these delicious products to make your feast of French delicacies truly memorable! Starting with the corkscrew, maybe the most essential element of this French gourmet box.
