Bonjour French Market Friends,
Today in Pari
s a relatively unknown painting by Picasso was unveiled at the Hotel Drouot. Titled “Buste de femme au chapeau à fleurs” literally translated means the “Head and shoulders of a woman wearing a hat with flowers”. It is one of many paintings of his partner and muse Dora Maar. Painted in July 1943, the painting was bought by a private collector and has remained hidden from the World until the current owner put it up for sale. It will go on auction on the 24th August and is expected to raise at least EUR8million.
Other good news from France is that the current grape harves
t is expected to be at least 40 million hectolitres, 17% higher than last year due to better weather conditions. Grape picking is strictly regulated in France in each region. Harvesting is in full swing in the Rhone Vallee where the Maison Chapoutier Organisation celebrated their 29th edition of “Les vendanges du Coeur” (Harvest from the Heart) an event created in 1994 to promote bone marrow donation and save lives. With the support of 368 volunteers, they harvested 48.5 tons of grapes and donated €17,000 to the EFS Auvergne Rhône-Alpes.In 31 years, this project has raised more than €636,000 and encouraged 2,952 people to register as potential donors. We stock Maison Chapoutier Cotes du Rhone Belleruche Blanc a blend of Grenache blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, Clairette and Bourboulenc grapes, it is a lovely table wine. (Image courtesy of Maison M Chapoutier Facebook)
We have received a fresh stock of cheese from Paris. We have a beautifully handcrafted Brie from Donge. The Dongé family have had their own fromagerie in Triconville, in the region of Meuse in the East of France since 1930. The milk is collected within a 30kn radius of their dairy. The curds are hand ladled into the moulds. Once set, the cheese develops a soft bloomy rind which gains a slight light brown colouring as it ages.
Back in stock are the favourites Vacherousse, Morbier, Triple cream Delice and Brie with a layer of truffle cream containing genuine pieces of black Summer truffles. Also back in stock is the St Julien aux noix, the rich cream cheese with two layers of
walnut cream in the centre. We have pungent little Munsters, Epoisses in boxes and Pont L’Eveque. There is plenty of Comte, Raclette and Morbier. In order to bring in mature raw milk cheeses, we have to get extra certification and we have to order entire wheels, that’s nearly 50kgs of Comte. Luckily we have plenty of storage in a chilled warehouse at the Port.
In our fresh produce the artichoke season continues and we go through many kilos every week. Green 
asparagus is also shooting up and we should get some in soon. Our beautiful super jumbo chickens eggs, ducks eggs and Quail eggs keep flying out the door. More people are asking for fresh truffles, this week we sent truffles to various clients including a client in PE who wants to make a special truffle meal and there are no truffles in PE.
Christmas is up on the horizon and our Christmas Baci chocolate calendars are on their way in. Let me know if you wish to pre-order a Baci Xmas calendar – they were a great success last year what better experience than opening a little door every morning and finding a Baci chocolate inside.
We have plenty of frozen Confit de canard in stock, this is slow cooked ducks legs in duck fat. We are offering a special discount on the 4 leg packs. One of my favourite meat dishes is duck in any form or shape. This week’s recipe is slow cooked ducks’ legs in a red wine
marinade then basted them with blueberry jam. This recipe can be prepared the day before serving, then the duck is reheated and basted prior to serving. I used sweetish vegetables to accompany the dish, baby carrots in honey and mashed potato mixed with puree of chestnuts. I suggest you pair this dish with a Kir (glass of chardonnay flavoured with a spoonful of Crème de Cassis).
I hope you a peaceful weekend, full of good food and great French cheese.
Regards
Suzanne and The French Market Team