White Stone, Black Wine – Amanda Lawrence
The Quercy Blanc - named for its white stone - is a wild and sparsely populated area of rural France, squeezed between the great wine trading port of Bordeaux and the fizzing city of the south, Toulouse. Born in the sedate southern counties, Amanda Lawrence was blessed with pioneering parents who regularly bumped her down the primitive roads of continental Europe. The Quercy was always a favourite halt, slowly working its charm on her until she finally succumbed. It's now where she lives and works, overlooking the famous Cahors vineyards. |
 |
The Quercy Blanc - named for its white stone - is a wild and sparsely populated area of rural France, squeezed between the great wine trading port of Bordeaux and the fizzing city of the south, Toulouse. It's home to the goose and the grape, sumptuous foiegras, the mysterious black truffle and world famous Agen prunes. There are miles of walnut groves and, most important of all, acres of vines. The author introduces us to some colourful local characters, freezes from the kneecaps down whilst braving the famous winter truffle market in Lalbenque, throws herself with Gallic gusto into numerous fetes and uncovers traces of the luminaries who once called this place home. From Champollion, who translated the Rosetta stone, to the illustrious Eleanor of Aquitaine, whose marriage to Henry Plantagenet brought the area to the English crown. |
For more information, or if you wish to purchase...
All the best
Tags: Amanda Lawrence
Expat Tales | Keith Eckstein June 18, 2010