In a few days I will be staying with friend's family in western France, at a house they own. I will be in the UK the next few days. Normally I would bring wine or chocolates as a thank you for the accommodation, but France does these much better and cheaper than the UK (I am told). I am Canadian. What could I bring that would still be a great gift, that I could find in London? It should be something like food or drink, and something of benefit to people on vacation. Price about $50. The friends I am visiting are French/Canadian and appreciate quality/luxury
posted by niccolo on Aug 3, 2011 - 14 answers

I find that French red wine has a very distinctive body and aftertaste. Is this truly specific to French wine, or have I not found some equivalents elsewhere in the world? [more inside]
posted by fantasticninety on Oct 19, 2009 - 12 answers

At a French bar years ago, the French owner was telling me about their "ja ja" wine. He said it was the term for a house wine, often when they'd pour the leftovers from a few bottles into one. It's cheap and usually just fine but not fabulous. I don't see the term often (and it tends to mean something different every time), but I saw it again at a French bar recently. The bartender told me it was a house wine with no set vintage (though they did offer a region). She poured it out of one bottle (thought they may have used a funnel). It was pretty darn good. Can anyone tell me the origin of the word, and what it generally means when you see it on a wine list? Is it lots of leftover wines poured together, or only from one region, or something altogether different? It's not listed on wikipedia, my first reference, and with such a short word, Google searches don't help. I just want to know what I'm drinking. Thanks!
posted by cherie72 on Jul 24, 2008 - 3 answers

French rabbit Chardonnay - I love it! Does anyone know of a similar wine in the same price range?
posted by bright77blue on Nov 10, 2006 - 5 answers