The French Affair (part II)

Degustha and Agrogast – a culinary trip

There is not only one food and wine exhibition, Degustha,but there is also Agrogast, le festival du terroir,in Hagenthal, Alsace, taking place at the same weekend.

Both exhibitions present the best French products, un tour de France de la gastronomie: red and white wine, champagne, armagnac, cognac and brandy from Burgundy, Alsace, Roussillon, Bordeaux, Beaujolais, Tourraine, Côtes du Rhône, cheese (cow, goat, sheep), from cured products with Guérande salt from the Basque region to specialties from the Luberon region to baked goods from Brittany, honey from the South of France and the Alsace.

More than 200 producers proudly show their goods and gladly engage the expected 40’000 visitors in discussions and tasting sessions, hopefully resulting in selling most of their goods.

I can tell you: I have done my share on three visits in ensuring them to return happily with filled pockets to their homestead! Fair deal: I am very happy with my shopping and I have enjoyed myself tremendously, the best part is talking to the producers, learning so much from them as they are eager to share their knowledge.

Meet some of my new acquaintances (no affiliate links, no commissions, no bribes, I like the people and their products):

Eric Werly, the owner of El Vanillo, not only has a lovely wife, he knows his marketing (thanks for the vanilla extract – I have some risotto with it in mind). You can buy directly online from him.

Madame Werly

Monsieur et Madame

Les produits El Vanillo

Tresse de vanille

Lovely person, Mickaël Azouz, a man with a formidable family background, check out his website. And he has a story or two to tell, I look forward to his next publishing project on cocoa beans.

Mickaël Azouz

Les macarons et les chocolats de Monsieur Mickaël

He does some amazing things with chocolate, my friends loved the dark chocolat au marc de Gewuerztraminer, I am very fond of his Grand Crus.

I have a longstanding relationship with Les Ruchers des Maures: the first time I ever tasted chestnut honey was in the 1980ies and fell immediately in love (for a lifetime).

Les Ruchers des Maures

Les produits