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Rhône, Rhône on the Range

Rhône, Rhône on the Range

The Rhône Valley region of France runs in a narrow band from Burgundy to its north to Provence to its south, and is one of the oldest wine-growing areas in France. It comprises two distinct areas—the Northern Rhône Valley and the Southern Rhône Valley, both of which are along the Rhône River. Different styles of wines are produced in each area, but both are known predominantly for red wines.

The Crossing—Pinotage

The Crossing—Pinotage

Pinotage is a red wine grape whose origins lie in South Africa. The grape is the result of a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, which are both the species Vitis vinifera. The crossing was created in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University, with the hope of creating a grape with the vigor of Cinsault and the finesse of Pinot Noir.

14 Interesting Facts About Bastille Day—July 14th

14 Interesting Facts About Bastille Day—July 14th

1. The public holiday in France on July 14th is not called “Bastille Day” at all! It is called “la Fête Nationale” (“The National Holiday), or “le Quatorze Juillet” (“July 14th”). July 14 commemorates the date that a group of anti-monarchists broke into the Bastille, a prison in central Paris, on July 14, 1789. The Bastille was rumored to have housed many political dissidents who were locked up by tyrannical rulers.