Crave Worthy: Priorat

From Wikipedia.com:

Priorat is a comarca (county) in Catalonia, Spain. The central part of the comarca, "Priorat històric," produces the famous and prestigious wine of the Denominación de Origen Calificada Priorat. Wines from elsewhere in the comarca are denominated as Montsant. The area is also known for the production of hazelnuts.
Priorat had a steady loss of population during the 20th century, but has recently as of 2004 experienced a more prosperous economy, resulting in an end to this trend. In 2001, the population was 9,196, with only the capital (Falset) exceeding a population of 1,000.

This region of Southern Catalunya is producing some of the most intense, inky red wines you'll find anywhere in Espana. Indigenous varietals such as garnacha commingle with imported grapes of the syrah, cabernet, and merlot varieties, lending a minerally, jammy flavour and velvety mouth-feel.

Fill the Aston Martin (Alfa Romeo if you're Nasty) with a case of this wine the next time you make a trip to Majorca. (Save your white/rose riojas for Ibiza.)

Just be careful you don't overdo the jamon. It is still swimwear season, after all.

xoxo.

Song of the Day: Chanson du Jour

We are well into Vilebrequin season (http://www.vilebrequin.com/), so I hope you've been beach-ready for some time now.

If, however, you still need someone to pry that pain au chocolat out of your (fat) fingers, what is required is much more serious.

You'll need an overhaul of your outlook on fitness.

We want nihilistic. We want soul-crushing. We want teeth-baring.

This is your soundtrack.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdkmhquF60o&feature=channel

See you by la piscine.

xoxo.

Word of the Day: Epaulette

It's time for a little ecole. Since you probably fell asleep or passed notes during French class, allow me to point out what you've been missing.

From Wikipedia.com:

"Epaulette (pronounced /ˈɛpǝlɛt/[1]) is a French word meaning "little shoulder" (from épaule, meaning "shoulder"). Epaulettes are a type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia or rank by the military and other organizations. Colloquially, the word has also come to refer to some types of shoulder strap."

The epaulette can take even the most basic black turtleneck and give it that detail that takes you from the Bowery to St. Germain-des-Pres. (That last word is pronounced "pray" for my readers in Indiana.)

It seems that American retailers are finally beginning to pay attention to "insignificant" sartorial details such as fabric, cut, and finish.

Invest in a turtleneck and a short-sleeved button down with Epaulette detailing, and you'll be prepared for whatever life throws you. Whether it's Paris or Provence.

Ecoutez-moi bien.

xoxo.