Yann Brys began his career at a very young age
After completing his studies at the Toulouse Culinary School
he worked alongside great masters such as Philippe Urraca
He later honed his skills at some of France's most prestigious establishments
where he worked with celebrated chef Sébastien Gaudard
and the Parisian hotels Concorde Lafayette and Bristolu200b
where he served as creative director until 2014
he developed his famous Tourbillon technique to decorate cakes with a perfect spiral
This technique is now used worldwide and has left an indelible mark on contemporary pastry
in Saulx-les-Chartreux and continues to expand his empire with another location in Paris
He also works as a pastry chef for the Evok Hôtels Collection group
creating exclusive desserts for several luxury hotels such as the Hotel Nolinski and Sinneru200b
Brys is also known for his commitment to spreading pastry culture internationally
where he regularly gives courses and master classes
He is also an ambassador for major brands such as Elle & Vire
Do you want to discover the latest news and recipes of the most renowned chefs and restaurants in the world
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Pope Francis on Thursday urged students of a French Catholic School to watch out against the lure and slavery of money
and train themselves to be promoters and defenders of equality and justice in the world.
Some 80 students and staff of Institution des Chartreux of Lyons
met the Pope in the Vatican. Known commonly as Les Chartreux
the private school is managed by the Carthusians.
The Pope expressed satisfaction that while they were preparing themselves to enter the big commercial schools to pursue professional careers in the world of finance
their current academic formation at Les Chartreux was providing them a strong human
philosophical and cultural dimension. “It is essential,” he said
“that from now on and in your future professional life you learn to be free from the ‘lure of money’
from the slavery into which money shuts those who worship it.” He said it is also important that they have the “strength and courage not to blindly obey the invisible hand of the market.” “Hence,” he said
“I encourage you to make the best of your study time to train yourselves to become promoters and defenders of growth in equity
and artisans of an upright and adequate administration of our common home
Pope Francis further exhorted them to become responsible for this world and for the life of every man
never forgetting that “every injustice against a poor person is an open wound and belittles your very dignity.” He told the students to find the means and the time to take on the path of brotherhood to create bridges rather than walls among men in order to add their stone to building a more just and humane society
He concluded encouraging them to work for good and be a humble seed of a new world.
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“A project manager who oversaw the construction of railroad bridges and is passionate about movies.”
Fun fact about yourself: I love making short video animations and continuously work to become better at it
I think I enjoy it so much because of the way animation is a unique blend of art and technology
Undergraduate School and Degree: DHBW Mosbach
Bachelor of Civil Engineering; Specialization
Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school
including an exploration of Paris for my entire MBA cohort during their first weekend in the country (co-organized with a classmate)
* Organized two MBA Talent Shows (with the help of 5-member team)
* Student Representative on the HEC Paris Board of Trustees
* Recipient of the MBA’s Transitional Leadership Award
full of wonderful and surprising performances
as we converted the tried-and-true live-performance format into an online event amid a constantly evolving framework of social-distancing rules
We all worked tirelessly to make both shows a success
combined with the incredible diversity (across many variables) within that cohort
I wanted to experience such diversity and felt that I would fit in well
It is a rare privilege to be able to exchange with so many different cultures and personalities at once
the quality of the pedagogy and the support provided to students was also important to me
He managed to impart a thorough and intuitive understanding of all matters relating to corporate finance
a subject that I had never been exposed to prior to the MBA
helping students go even further than the class materials
All of this while producing world-class research
What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school
My favorite tradition of the HEC Paris MBA are the different cultural weeks organized by students
They are a wonderful occasion for everyone to come together
students surpass each other with their creativity
I attended an American Thanksgiving dinner and an Indian wedding
learned how to properly make sushi and celebrated Chinese New Year
What is the biggest myth about your school
HEC Paris is still perceived as a very French-centric school
This is very different from my experience of the school in general
Not only are the majority of students on campus internationals
but the faculty is also very international
What surprised you the most about business school
Through my work for the Board of Directors
we worked on improving the sustainability of the school
setting clear goals and milestones to be achieved
This willingness of all stakeholders of the school to transform goes beyond the topic of sustainability and shows HEC’s commitment to leading by example
What is one thing you did during the application process that gave you an edge at the school you chose
to make sure that the admissions officers looking at my profile had a complete view of my experience and personality
I showed my submission to people who knew me well
making sure there was no bias in the way I presented myself
Emric Navarre is a friend and student from my batch who I admire for his strength and selfless leadership
he naturally became the point of contact between the administration and the hundreds of students on campus
He helped students in difficult situations to feel safe and helped coordinate the school’s response and policies during that time
It was inspiring to see him remain calm and resolute while finding a solution that satisfied every stakeholder
professors organized daily coffee chats with students
members of the administration organized Zoom cooking courses and we even had a band playing outside the student-housing buildings
While I was in contact with a smaller number of students during that time
living through this experience created strong bonds with many of my classmates
Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college
My father has been a relentless and strong source of support in this journey
His rich life experience and his advice helped me see the value of an MBA
What made Jonas such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2021
“I have had the privilege to work alongside Jonas in his capacity as the student representative on the school’s board of trustees
I have had the great honor of working alongside many outstanding and engaged students within our community
Jonas is one such individual who rose above his peers during his mandate when our institution
was hit by the disruptive force of COVID-19
Not only was he a constant presence and advocate for students in representing that voice
but he also helped shape the discussion on student representation and governance within our institution
he was able to contribute to navigating the diverse
he pursued this aim by pursuing a further understanding of what shared governance means for our institutions
eventually meeting with over 30 different stakeholders
He has been a pillar and a strong voice for all students on campus
I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to say a heartfelt and grateful thank you for his continued presence
and unflinching support through a very hectic period in the school’s history
I believe we grow from the interaction we have with our students
I have certainly been honored to have gotten to know Jonas during this very exceptional period
all the while debating topics of governance and responsible student advocacy
I have learned so much through our discussions
and hope others will also have the opportunity to learn from him in the future.”
DON’T MISS: THE FULL LIST OF MBAS TO WATCH IN 2021
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Longreads and photographic journeys documenting our ongoing worldwide adventures in beer
but you can just about make out the words “Brasserie Ammonite” (Ammonite Brewery) on the small wooden plaque outside Simon Lecomte’s home
and his brewery is located in a 17th-century barn attached to his family home
If the brewhouse standing out in the yard resembles an old milk tank
it’s because that’s what it once was.
He might have the stereotypical brewer’s beard and tattoos
almost always includes a “doudoune sans manches,” the insulated vest frequently worn by winemakers
And yet Ammonite (named after a fossilized, extinct sea creature Lecomte found in his barn) definitely is a brewery—one of the most sought-after beer makers in France today
Lecomte’s brewery has made a name for itself
with a closed-to-new-members allocation club for new releases
a lengthy waiting list just to join that club
and a position at the very center of contemporary French beer fandom.
Hand-me-down equipment adds to its homespun atmosphere
like the 40-year-old bottling unit that was originally owned by Les Pères Chartreux—makers of the neon-green Chartreuse liqueur—which stands more or less safe from the rain under a small awning
toys lie on the grass where Lecomte’s four-year-old son Marius likes to play when he’s not helping with bottle labeling
Soon he’ll be joined by his little sister Rose
While much of Lecomte’s equipment is visible in the yard
the barn is where the magic really happens
filled with so many casks that there’s little room to navigate
with aged wooden beams and a single light on the ceiling that isn’t strong enough to illuminate the entire space
Ammonite is dedicated to making raw and spontaneously fermented beers in these barrels
And even if many drinkers in this vinous part of the world might not recognize them as beers at first sip
that hasn’t prevented hype around this small brewery from growing to a fever pitch
from what it used to contain to what it holds now
though their collective organization only makes sense to Lecomte
and the two caves under the house act as the wet cellar
which affects the barrels in many ways,” he says
creating beers that are really dry and—to use a term employed by winemakers—“nerveuse,” which implies both freshness and acidity
although things don’t exactly work the same way here
“I haven’t noticed any alcohol loss in my beers because they’re already low-ABV
and it makes the beer more opulent and sweet,” he says.
“Follow me through the labyrinth,” he says
disappearing through a small passage between the front door and a pile of cardboard. Ammonite’s barn is only 50 square meters
but comparing it to a maze doesn’t feel like an overstatement
used the cask before donating it to Lecomte
“It’s 90 years old and still in pretty good shape,” he says
Lecomte tells me that story as we taste Soliste I
with a stack of boxes serving as our tasting table
Spontaneously fermented on Hérout cider lees
Lecomte can tell you the story of each of the roughly 300 barrels in his possession
Take the three black chestnut casks in a dark corner of the cellar: sherry barrels from Valdespino that date from 1918
Just above them sits a beautiful oak barrel that previously contained Burgundy’s Monthelie wine
“There’s a 50-year waiting list to buy a barrel made by this particular French cooper
the unknown cooper sometimes carves “DSLS” on them
which stands for “Dieu seul le sait,” or “God only knows.”
Lecomte treats his barrels with an exquisite level of care
employing a hands-on—or rather nose-on—approach
While he understands that not every brewer or winemaker has the time to select barrels themselves
he doesn’t want to buy from used barrel vendors
he cites the benefits of sourcing them directly from winemakers.
“You don’t know how the barrels have been stocked
or exactly what kind of bourbon or pinot noir they contained,” he says.
On a shelf at the back of the cellar hangs a black-and-white photograph of an old man in a sea of casks
who was in charge of a wine cellar in the 1950s
(He was also a proud member of the music group Les Joyeux Bourguignons
who performed on Broadway after World War II
Cortot is Lecomte’s only real link to the wine world
as he doesn’t come from a family of winemakers or grape growers
His great-grandfather taught his grandfather the art of wine tasting
who says that his grandfather tasted wine like no one else
Lecomte himself never drank a drop of alcohol and actually despised the idea of drinking
which feels quite rebellious for a French teenager
his grandfather Maurice insisted that they visit a famous winemaking domain together
to be dragged by his grandfather into an activity he didn’t care about on his birthday
and he initially refused to taste any wine
Then came the very last glass: a Corton Clos du Roi
It was from his grandfather’s year of birth
and Lecomte felt he couldn’t say no.
“I started describing to the sommelier everything I was feeling
Lecomte traveled through Europe and farther afield
trying to discover every wine region he could
encouraged him to make it his full-time job
He studied viticulture at a local specialist college
and became a freelance educator and consultant
Lecomte now works as an instructor at that college
it’s no wonder Lecomte is often compared to a winemaker
And it’s not just because he’s located in one of the country’s top wine regions
or makes barrel-aged beers; it’s because of how he makes his beers.
“I’d say that 50% of my work is with the barrels
using the same malt bill and process in every beer
The malt comes from a rustic barley he selected and sows in partnership with a local farmer
The hops are wild hops he picks himself in Burgundy
where he has found at least 12 good hop-foraging spots
though he doesn’t personally ascribe too much significance to that fact
contrary to what some of his fans believe.“When I started
a brewer told me that I had to be careful with wild hops
as they tend to be too astringent when boiled,” he says
it’s fair to assume that they’re only included so that he can legally include the word “beer” on his labels
When I ask the quantity of hops in each batch
you can hardly taste the difference.”
The recipe he uses results in a beer with no residual sugar and very low pH
brewing with just one recipe isn’t a lazy choice—more like the opposite
It showcases the power of blending and the barrels’ role in the process
His fans claim that you’ll never taste the same beer twice from Ammonite
and others with cider lees or grape pomace; many more have no additions
their flavor profiles derived from blending and barrel-aging
Lecomte works with different kinds of wine grapes—aligoté
etc.—and every year the harvest offers something different
like his former student Thomas Fayolle from Domaine des Martinelles et Aloès in the Rhône Valley
Their co-produced Cuvée Vinifera beers were made with grenache and syrah grapes
collaborating with one another isn’t really a thing,” Fayolle says
I’m amazed with how Simon is able to unite several industries around Ammonite
The apricots grown by Fayolle also go into Ammonite’s fruit-beer range
“You see how much he cares about the products
making beer with the best ingredients possible,” he says
“He comes to the orchards to pick up the fruit himself
same thing during the harvest when he carefully selects the wine grapes.”
When I taste the beer made with Fayolle’s apricots
I could easily mistake it for fresh fruit juice
I can almost imagine I’m biting directly into an apricot itself
“I didn’t expect a beer where the fruit would feel so raw
“You can actually taste the apricot pit in the finish.”
Here in France it’s called vinification intégrale
The brewer fills a barrel with fresh whole fruit
(This process is known as carbonic maceration
and is particularly associated with the wines of Beaujolais.) That juice is added to a barrel with a finished beer that has usually been aged one year
Lecomte turns that barrel once a week for six months
so that the fruit and beer can fully blend
They’re usually aged together for at least six months
Carbonic maceration and integral vinification are winemaking techniques
and they are just two among several viticultural methods that Ammonite uses on a daily basis
the only solera system in use at a French brewery today.
with several rows of barrels stacked on top of each other—solera means “on the ground” in Spanish
The Cuvée Solera made by Lecomte is a blend of every beer Ammonite has ever made: Every time he finishes one
he keeps a little to fill the upper casks of his system
The finished product is drawn from the lower casks
and the beer is transferred from one barrel to another
When Lecomte put his first beers on the market in 2019
Ammonite immediately made a splash in French beer circles
“I don’t do anything that’s working in craft beer at the moment,” he says
I don’t put eccentric adjuncts in them.”
he was the only one in France with a brewery 100% dedicated to spontaneous beers,” she says
“He did what he wanted to do and not what others were expecting.”
Lecomte believes that another reason might involve a certain brewery in Brussels
“People were curious to taste my beers to compare them to Cantillon
but some were a bit disappointed to realize it wasn’t the same thing at all,” he says.
doesn’t shy away from comparing Ammonite to the famous Belgian producer
“Even if their beers are ultimately very different
their approach to working with casks is similar
as well as not over-producing beers.” Another factor that contributed to the hype
she says: Ammonite was the first brewery in France to sell beers through allocations to its club members.
80% of which are restaurants and wine shops
marketing director at Lyon’s Brasserie Ninkasi
is one of Ammonite’s 100 non-professional allocation club members
as it’s much more common in the wine industry,” she says
allows her to avoid the disappointment of finding that Ammonite beers have sold out every time she goes to her local bottle shop
over 100 fans are on a waiting list just to join Ammonite’s allocation club
Lecomte says he finds this really frustrating
But it also offers him the freedom to choose his customers
Since he doesn’t produce a lot—just 200 hectoliters (about 170 barrels) per year—he numbers all of his bottles
but to make it easier to trace and monitor sales
At €14–28 (or about $15-26) for each 750ml bottle
“If they don’t respect my terms and I see my beers at ridiculous prices in their shops or restaurants
he’s cut off some 10 vendors for price-gouging
Lecomte once saw one of his bottles being sold for €180 on the secondary market
He could trace the bottle back to the wine shop that sold it
but not the customer who bought it in order to flip it for a profit.
Ammonite’s success isn’t only due to the uniqueness of its beer or to its allocation model
Berdah says that Lecomte’s personality also plays a big role
“People who like what he does also like who he is as a person,” she says
All he wants to do is share his work with people
He’s really passionate and generous in that way.”
and seems conscious of the fine line between appreciation and hero worship
One could argue that this is already happening
over 400 people have joined a group called Ammonite Enthusiasts
where they share their tasting notes and pictures of their visits to the brewery
or ask to share rides to Ammonite events.
When Lecomte takes part in a beer festival—which he doesn’t do very often—it counts as an event in itself
He could probably pick up the phone right now and ask every major beer festival in France for a spot and get it
because lots of people would attend that event just for him
a four-year-old son who tells me that I work too much
“Plus I don’t even have enough beers to sell anyway.”
Lecomte seems almost to coddle his customers
interacting with them on social media and even brewing some beers exclusively for special recipients
he regularly hosts Live sessions to talk about his latest releases
or show off the brewery and his future orchards
When Basso got her first subscription club purchase
“When a restaurant or a shop orders beer in the amount of €400 from me
“But when a recipient spends €100 or 200 on his allocation
I owe it to them to be available and open.”
Lecomte shows the same respect to his customers that they show to him
“Simon has strong social values and he sticks to them,” she says.
he plans to partner with other breweries from Burgundy
like Vif in Beaune or Independent House in Dijon
Lecomte seems ambivalent about his success in several ways
but his foot is still holding the door open for wine to enter
but if you ask him if he’d rather drink wine or beer
but he’s aware that his image is important to the brewery’s success
He doesn’t want to increase production in order to have enough time for his family
but he knows that the rarity of Ammonite’s beer only leads to greater demand.
That’s the next step: Lecomte is moving his brewery and part of his cellar to a new location this year.
The new home for Ammonite is a huge stone building
Lecomte should be able to produce enough so that the waiting list for his beers will cease to exist
and visitors will be able to enjoy drinking beers at the brewery itself
“In here I could produce 1,500 hectoliters per year
but I don’t want to do more than 300,” he says
cherry and apple trees offer more possibilities
looking at the small vines he just planted
he talks about everything he’s planning to do here
You might expect that to include a bottle share or a tasting for geeks
but he starts by mentioning a vegetable garden for the Sennecey-le-Grand village school and an Easter egg hunt for kids
He wants to have a stage for bands from the area and plans to have activities in the vines for his son Marius—who also proudly wears a doudoune sans manches
just like his father—and his school friends.
Ammonite is just what Lecomte wanted: a brasserie de village
A small family-owned brewery in the countryside that serves as a gathering place for locals and as a host for community events
you could find one of those in almost every village in France
And it’s especially rare because of what Ammonite is—or even what Ammonite beer is
“If I wasn’t told it was beer the first time I tasted it
I never would have guessed what I was drinking,” Fayolle says.
it can even be hard to figure out just how it was made
But it’s actually quite simple: Whatever a winemaker does with grapes
brewing was initially an experiment to see if I could apply winemaking techniques to beer,” he says
“A friend of mine told me ‘You don’t brew beer
you vinify grains.’ Maybe that’s a good way to describe what I do at Ammonite.”
and Publications that’ll drive you to drink
La Française REM purchased the PANORAMA SEINE and DOCKSIDE buildings
located 255 and 224 quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad respectively in Issy-les-Moulineaux (92130)
Designed by architects Patrice Novarina and Atelier de Midi
The acquisition includes two buildings: a seven-storey building (at 255) with 7,905 m² of office floor space; a two-storey building (at 224) with 2,082 m² of office space
The complex has 116 underground parking spaces
The global headquarters of the Sodexo group have been based there since 2008
La Française REM was assisted by law firm Fairway Avocats and 14 Pyramides Notaires
The financing was provided by pbb Deutsche Pfandbriefbank
assisted by Lefèvre Pelletier & associés and Attorney Moisy-Namand
and law firms K&L Gates and Le Breton & Associés
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Juliana Cloutier, an expert in investment and citizenship solutions abroad from the firm Alta Invest
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after the one already established in Saulx-les-Chartreux (91)
is in fact the very first store opened by the famous pastry chef in Paris
And it is on the charming Île-Saint-Louis that Yann Brys decided to set up this pastry shop
Inaugurated in April 2022, Tourbillon will showcase the sweet creations of Yann Brys
based on a Russian cookie and soft almonds
Truly explosive in the mouth thanks to a hazelnut and pecan crunch
Let yourself be tempted by the"Fruits of the Sun Verbena Swirl"
raspberry and verbena infusion compote and a lemon cream
no less than 6 pastries are offered in the window
with two or three additional creations to be discovered at the end of the week
including the indestructible"Chou Paris-Brest" or the"Finger Pistache Raspberry"
Please note that some creations are ephemeral and will disappear
such as the"Fresh Pear and Blackcurrant" (citrus shortbread
Made in the Saulx-les-Chartreux store and delivered every morning
these ultra-colored pastries are as appealing to the eye as they are tasty in the mouth
we also find in this Parisian store of Tourbillon
chocolates or ice cream and sorbets in pots signed Yann Brys
Tourbillon will unveil a tea room by the end of May
so you can relax in this charming Parisian pastry shop
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If you're serious about your skiing or boarding
then sooner or later you'll want to ski Tignes
Tignes has to be on your 'to-ski' list. The Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and extensive ski areas in France's Savoie region and in the whole Alps
freeride or free-rando… it's a top destination for free spirits
and the heart of the western half of this vast linked ski area in the upper Tarentaise Valley of the central French Alps
It's perfect for keen intermediates and advanced-level skiers and snowboarders
and the resort also has good off-slope amenities plus a lively nightlife scene
it's a high-rise mini-metropolis in an otherwise uninhabited realm of snow and ice
The variety of terrain is extensive: from the intoxicating glacial heights of La Grande Motte at 3,456m
to the thigh-burning long cruises down to the valley floor at Les Brévières; and from the quiet powder fields around the Col des Ves
to the bustling groomed motorways linking towards Val d'Isère via the Col de Fresse and Toviere
two snowparks and family fun areas to suit any type of sporty person or group
The majority of the 300km ski area is a paradise for intermediates
There are nearly 30 black runs marked on the piste map
although most advanced-level thrill-seekers will look beyond the piste map at the real powder potential that this area has to offer
with some of the most extreme and exposed off-piste routes in the Alps
for those that have the ability and the mettle
The glacial massif of La Grande Motte is Tignes' most emblematic sector
permafrost peak allows the resort to roll out the white carpet earlier than any other French ski station; opening in October and staying open until early May
with snowsports on the glacier available during the summer months too
telemark skiers and snowscooters already know this
but ski areas are definitely not just for alpine skiing
Tignaddicts may well have their favourite ski run (Génépy
Maybe La Sache?) and memorable moments racing down the piste
but the Tignes/Val d’Isère experience wouldn't be complete without:
Tignes' big 3 Mountain Shaker events, running from 4-12 March, celebrate slopestyle and snowboard culture. Things kick off with the French Freeride World Qualifier from 4-5 March in the 'Tufs'. This geological curiosity, which overlooks the lake of Tignes and draws a garden of highly photogenic corridors, will see pro and amateur riders confront each other during 4 freeride competitions over two days
when the world skateboarding tour comes town
for two days over demos and contests on five stages in the 500 square metre indoor skatepark
an well-known piste that hosted the X Games Europe four years in a row from 2010-13
MORE INFO: en.tignes.net
Tignes is 3 hours from Geneva airport, and 2hrs from Chambery. If you prefer to take the train
it's about a 45 minute drive from Bourg St Maurice
For the latest information about Covid-19 safety measures in the resort, see en.tignes.net
The Republic of Albania is a small country which borders the eastern side of the southern Adriatic Sea and looks towards Puglia
It has one of the oldest winemaking histories in the world
landlocked country at the southern end of the Eurasian Caucasus – the mountainous region between Europe and Asia
Austria is enjoying a renaissance as a modern wine producing nation
Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are the flag bearers
Azerbaijan is a small country located in the Eurasian Caucasus
As in neighboring Georgia winemaking here appears to date back thousands of years
Better known for its vodka and grain spirit-based production than wine
Belarus is a landlocked country in the north of Eastern Europe
Belgium is better known for its traditional abbey-brewed beers than its wines
but this small northern European country does produce a small quantity of wine each vintage
Bosnia-Herzegovina is a country in the east of southern Europe
also referred to as Bosnia and Herzegovina
It does not produce a significant quantity of wine
although it does have a few thousand acres of productive vineyards
Bulgaria has a long history of viticulture
and its modern wine industry is introducing regions
The Crimea is a peninsula in Eastern Europe
almost entirely surrounded by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov
dating back at least to the classical Greek period
Croatia has been making wine for well over two thousand years
the last three decades have seen a steady rise in quality
The Mediterranean island of Cyprus lies 50 miles off the coast of Turkey
In wine terms it is best known for the dessert wine Commandaria
a wider range of styles and grape varieties are coming to the fore
the western half of the former Czechoslovakia
is better known for its beer than its wine
though the latter is also produced in reasonable quantities
Denmark is one of the three northern European countries which make up Scandinavia
The brewing of beer dominates production of alcoholic beverages
Estonia is a country in the Baltic region of northern Europe
far north of the latitudes in which grapes can reliably ripen
and the nation is better known for its beers and vodkas
Finland is a northern European country located on the eastern side of the Scandinavian Peninsular
The majority of alcoholic beverages produced in Finland are beers and spirits distilled from grain
France is arguably the wine world's most important country
and home to famed regions such as Bordeaux
For centuries it has produced wine in a wide variety of styles in greater quantity than any other country
Georgia is one of the world’s oldest winemaking countries
The red grape Saperavi and the white grape Rkatsiteli are the key varieties grown here
Germany's best Rieslings are some of the greatest whites in the world
while fine wines are also made from a number of other red and white grape varieties
Beer brewing is also a key part of the culture here
Greece has been home to a winemaking industry for at least three thousand years
Nowadays it combines tradition with modernity
using both native and international grape varieties
Hungary's wine industry is best known for Tokaj and Bull's Blood
But its wine portfolio is much broader in terms of wine styles
Iceland is an island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean
located around 900 kilometers (550 miles) north of Scotland's Orkney Islands
There is little chance of successful viticulture being carried out on the volcanic island
Ireland is an island off the west coast of Britain
The following description majors on the beverages produced in the Republic of Ireland
It has a rich and diverse wine heritage and a bewildering diversity of both grape varieties and wine styles
Kosovo is a region of south-eastern Europe
once an autonomous province within the former Yugoslavia
Kosovo had a substantial acreage of productive wine-bearing vineyards
Latvia is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe
The country once held the Guinness World Record as the world's most northerly commercial
open-air vineyard known as Vina kalns ('wine hill')
Liechtenstein is a tiny country hidden away among the Alps
the country's most noteworthy vineyard is terraced into a rocky outcrop topped by the 1000-year-old Schloss Gutenberg
Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe between Belarus and the Baltic Sea
bordered by Latvia to the north and Poland to the south
The country's best known alcoholic produce is its vodka
Luxembourg (officially the 'Grand Duchy of Luxembourg') is a small nation in northern Europe covering just over 2,500 square kilometers (960sq miles)
Only 1 percent of this is given over to viticulture
Malta is a small island (25 miles / 40m long) in the central Mediterranean Ocean just 80km (50 miles) south of Sicily
Viniculture here dates back to the early 16th Century
when the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem arrived on the island
bringing with them centuries of winemaking tradition
Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe
and one of several former Soviet states in this region
Moldova ranks among the most significant wine regions of Eastern Europe
Montenegro is a small country on the western side of the Balkan Peninsula
The wine industry here is best known for its intense
deeply colored red wine made from the Vranac grape variety
The Netherlands is a country in northern Europe
The latter is the name of the ancient county in the western Netherlands
Norway is a Nordic country located on the western side of the Scandinavian Peninsula
but it also borders Finland and Russia at its far-northern edges
is a new and perhaps surprising addition to the list of wine-producing nations
Although viniculture is very much in its infancy here
and has yet to make any mark on international markets
But in the last decade or two it has gained acclaim for its new wave of rich
with reds from the Douro Valley particularly prominent
Romania lies at the crossroads between Central Europe and South-eastern Europe
Its wine industry makes use of a broad portfolio of indigenous and international red and white grape varieties
Russia is the largest country in the world
covering over 17 million square kilometers (6.5 million square miles)
although only the country's southernmost lands are capable of supporting quality viticulture
is geographically the largest of the former Yugoslav states
Serbian wine is not often seen on international markets
although there is no question that the country has the potential to produce world-class wines
Slovakia's vineyards are mostly clustered around Bratislava and scattered eastwards along the border with Hungary
The eastern fringe of the Tokaj wine region lies in Slovakia
Slovenia is a small European country with a long history of wine production
Despite the cultural and political turmoil that has besieged the Balkan states over the past century
one which has been particularly successful since the country gained independence from former Yugoslavia
Spain is home to more hectares of vineyards than any other country
and has a national wine output exceeded only by France and Italy
Though a wide range of wine styles are made
Tempranillo is by far the dominant grape variety
Sweden is a country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in northern Europe
Winemaking here is very much in its infancy making up a fraction of one percent of the nation's total alcohol production
Switzerland is not widely known as a wine-producing nation
largely because the Swiss keep much of their output to themselves
The white Chasselas grape is the specialty here
Turkey may well be where wine production first began
Today the country grows more grapes than almost any country on earth
The United Kingdom is best known for its beer
It also has a small wine industry which has undergone recent expansion
particularly with respect to sparkling wine production
Ukraine is a large Eastern European country with a long but potted history of wine production although the country is more readily associated to the production of grain-based spirits (horilka)
Canada is famous for its high-quality ice wines
but powerful Cabernet blends and aromatic dry Rieslings are also key features in the country's wine portfolio
But wine has been made here for longer than anywhere else in the Americas
The Vitis vinifera vine came to Mexico with the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th Century
The United States is home to many quality wine regions
though its global reputation still rides on the success of California and the Napa Valley in particular
Whiskey distilling and beer brewing are both integral parts of American culture
Argentina is the largest producer of wine in South America
its principal grape variety; in recent decades they have together risen to global prominence
Bolivia has an extreme high-altitude wine industry
in which around 75 percent of production is devoted to red wine
its winemaking origins date back to the 16th Century arrival of the Spanish
Brazil has a burgeoning wine industry led by its sparkling wines
though Cachaça is still its best known export beverage
Chile occupies a thin strip down the western coast South America and is home to an enviable variety of wine terroirs and styles
it is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Colombia is situated at the north-western corner of South America
though the country's rum has a higher profile
Ecuador lies on the Pacific coast of northern South America
There are only a few hundred hectares of vineyards; rum and beer are produced in much greater volumes
Guyana is a country located on the Atlantic coast of northern South America
It is well-known for its production of rum and cultivation of sugarcane
Spanish-speaking country in central South America
The country is more famous for its rum than its wines alhough it does produce more than seven million liters (1.85 million US gallons) of wine each year
Peru is a Spanish-speaking nation in western South America
Suriname is a country on the north-eastern coast of South America
but a small amount of winemaking does in fact take place
Uruguay is the fourth-largest wine-producing country in South America
Wine grapes have been grown here for more than 250 years
although commercial vineyards were first established in the second half of the 19th Century
in terms of production of alcoholic beverages
The bottlings from Diplomático and Ron Santa Teresa have gained particular acclaim around the world
Belize is a small country on the eastern (Mediterranean) coast of Central America
The Caribbean is not known for its wines (grape vines do not thrive in the tropical climate)
though the region is the undisputed home of rum
Costa Rica is a country in Central America
and sits on the isthmus between Panama (to the south) and Nicaragua (to the north)
The country's key alcoholic beverages are beer and rum
Guatemala is a small country in Central America
Although it is far from competing with Jamaica
sugarcane and the rum produced from it are some of Guatemala's main exports
Given Nicaragua's location at the western edge of the Caribbean
it is hardly surprising that its key alcohol production comes from sugar
famous as the land link between North America and South America
It is also home to one of the world's largest tropical rainforests
Australia is a leading wine producing country
its climatic and geographical range offers versatility
Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay lead the way
Fiji is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean
There are over 330 islands (110 are inhabited) plus many hundreds more islets
New Zealand is known globally for its aromatic Sauvignon Blanc whites
but it also makes a range of acclaimed cool-climate wines
from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to Bordeaux blends and Syrah
Norfolk Island is a tiny island located in the Pacific Ocean
located almost exactly half-way between New Caledonia and the northern tip of New Zealand
Although technically part of the Commonwealth of Australia
(Sydney lies 1050 miles / 1700km to the south-west)
the island has a high level of self-governance
is one of the world's least-known wine regions
grape wine is made on this tropical island
China vies with several countries as the world's sixth largest producer of wine by volume
Its best producers are gaining international recognition
India is a rapidly emerging wine economy in terms of both production and consumption
with the potential to become a significant player
Whisky and spirits distillation has a longer history
Indonesia is a Southeast Asian country made up of 33 provinces spread across more than 13,000 individual islands
there are wines made in Indonesia: not from imported must or juice but from grapes grown in the island's small number of vineyards
though its modern industry has mostly developed in the last few decades
The Judean Foothills and Galilee are the largest regions
though grape wine has been made there for several centuries
Beer and whisky production have also become established in the last hundred years
Jordan is a country in the Middle East (or Western Asia
as it is officially labeled by the UN) bordered by Iraq and Iran to the east
The country takes its name from the Jordan river
which since biblical times has been a vital source of water in this desert area
Kazakhstan is a large trans-continental country: the vast majority of it lies in Asia
but its western extremities cross over into eastern Europe
Though it has a very long history of wine production
vodka is the principal alcohlic beverage here
Lebanon has an ancient wine culture and a modern industry dating from the 19th century
Its vineyards are concentrated mostly in the Bekaa Valley
The Republic of Myanmar (or Burma) produces a minute quantity of wine
unlikely as that might seem to the outsider in this hot
has been home to tiny plantings of wine-producing vines since the late 20th Century
The high-altitude Himalayan climate is not particularly suited to Vitis vinifera vines
so local wines are made from a combination of honey
The Philippines is a complex group of islands in Southeast Asia
indigenous wines are produced from a variety of fermented crops including fruit
South Korea is a country at the far eastern extremity of East Asia
situated on a large peninsula which juts southwards from north-eastern China
Sri Lanka is an island off the southern tip of India
Syria is a mid-sized country in the western Middle East (also known as the Near East)
situated between the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea and the deserts of Iraq
is located at the centre of the Indochina Peninsula
there are also a number of rum producers with the wine industry beginning to gain international notice
Vietnam is one of a number of East Asian countries which have appeared on the wine radar since the turn of the century
Although its growth is far from rapid and nowhere near as dramatic as that of neighboring China
Vietnam's wine production is steadily increasing
Algeria is a large country in the Maghreb geographical region of north-west Africa
Though an Islamic nation it has a remarkably extensive area under vine
Though today much of this focuses on table grape production
it is still the second largest wine producer in Africa
Cape Verde (officially Cabo Verde) is a small archipelago nation off the coast of West Africa originally colonized by settlers from Portugal in the 15th Century and has a long history of wine production
Egypt is home to some of the oldest winemaking traditions on Earth
Madagascar is a large island off the south-east coast of Africa
it lies almost entirely within the southern tropics creating an ideal climate for sugarcane cultivation and rum maturation
Mauritius is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean about 2000 kilometers off the south-east coast of Africa
the country has a long history of rum production
Morocco's wine industry retains a strong French influence over six decades from independence
bordered by the southern Atlantic Ocean to the west
South Africa to the south and Botswana to the east
produces only very small quantities of grape wine
Wines made from pineapples or palm sap are more common in this tropical nation
Pinotage and Chenin Blanc have been its signatures
Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are also widely planted
despite not having an international reputation as a wine producer
is actually home to the second largest wine producing region in Sub-Saharan Africa (after South Africa)
The history of wine production in the country is relatively recent and roughly grew in tandem with the independence of Tanganyika and its merger with Zanzibar in the 1960s
Tunisia is a North African country with a long (if not consistent) history of wine production
Despite being a predominantly Muslim country
the wine industry here makes over 40 million liters of wine per year
and there is no cultural tradition of winemaking
have at least one producer making wine from hibiscus flowers
Zimbabwe is rarely cited as a wine region of note
the southern African nation's wine industry has been gradually growing and evolving
This page is currently under development as we change its function
Read about the best known regional styles and find the most popular signature style wines
Last Updated on 10th May 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
Thanks to a UNESCO world heritage listed historic city centre
you’d be forgiven for thinking that Dijon has no forgotten locations left to uncover
search for long enough between the timber-framed houses and you’ll soon discover that the capital of mustard has plenty of hidden gems
Here’s your guide to the best secret spots in Dijon
the most interesting lieux insolites…
Of all the unusual things to see in Dijon, one of the best-known is a little carving of an owl. A good luck symbol of the city throughout the centuries, the owl has graced the side of the 13th-century Notre Dame cathedral, close to Maison Fallot, for centuries
Although no one knows quite how the Dijon owl came to be on the side of the ecclesiastical building
local legend suggests that if you stroke the owl with your left hand (that closest to the heart)
you’ll be blessed with good luck…
you’re sure to be on to a winning formula
Such is the case with La Fleur Qui Pousse à l’Interieur (the flower which grows inside) bookstore in the heart of Dijon’s old town
La Fleur Qui Pousse à l’interieur is easily one of the most beautiful places to visit in Dijon
if you’re looking for a quiet place to stop
then the pretty bookshop is the place to visit
Conveniently set into several different sections (travel
kid’s books) and set across three rooms
there’s also indoor and outdoor seating where you can enjoy a coffee or cake surrounded by books
This Dijon hidden gem is open from Tuesday through to Saturday and is closed on Sundays and Mondays
Down several sets of stairs and straight into the cold underbelly of Dijon
the crypt of the city’s cathedral offers a rare glimpse into the period of history directly after the Gallo-Roman period
which you pay in the main part of the cathedral
you can visit the crypt which dates all the way back 511 and was constructed for Saint Gregory of Langres
the Museum of Religious Art can be found right beside the Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne
though only open upon request at the reception desk for the Museum of Burgundy Life during the winter months
the culture space is set across several rooms
Located next to a timber-framed building that’s so synonymous with the region and houses a traditional spiced cookie shop
the ‘house without a roof’ has a rather sinister tale behind its ‘roofless’ state
the story goes that a patissier named Jean Carquelin lived in the house during the Middle Ages
That was until children started to go missing from the area
No one knew where they had gone until one day someone found a finger in the pie maker’s products
Carquelin was condemned to death and the roof of his house was removed to commemorate the terrible events
While Gustave Eiffel (the man who didn’t actually design the Eiffel Tower) quite literally needs no introduction
what you may not know is that he was born in Dijon
Though the very building where the famous architect was born has since been demolished to make way for a modern housing/ shopping complex
a small plaque announces the very site where Eiffel was born on the 15th of December 1832
and still further away than the Natural History Museum with its well-manicured garden
the asphalt breaks in places and yet this is where you should head
Past a set of allotments and past a well-organised set of compost bins
in a long forgotten corner of the outskirts of Dijon where you’ll find the ancient Lavoir
the washing station (or lavoir as it is so-called in French) had come into the possession of the town of Dijon
Fairly close to the lavoir and far away from the historic city centre
the Puits de Moïse is a 14th-century sculpture that combines the Gothic style with Northern realism
the well (with the exception of a few nearby crumbling ruins) is pretty much all that remains of the monastery of Chartreuse de Champmol
This grand religious complex was originally constructed to serve as a funerary location for Philip the Bold and other Dukes of Burgundy
The monastery then carried on throughout the centuries when it was dissolved during the French Revolution
you can visit the Well of Moses and adjacent chapel for a few euros and learn about what life might have been like in Dijon during the Middle Ages
Purchase your ticket to the Well of Moses here. Note that the ticket includes the chance to see the Well of Moses statue and a chapel with roots dating back to the Middle Ages
the entrance to the pretty Renaissance chapel of Chapelle des Élus is easy to miss if you don’t know where to look
the chapel is only identifiable as an ecclesiastical building via the exterior thanks to a small pointed dome
this chapel dates back to the reign of Louis XV and incorporates marble flooring with sumptuous decor
Close to the tourist office and not far from the Tour Philippe le Bon (guided tours from the tourist office allow you to enjoy this fantastic view from the top of one of the most important astrological towers in France)
Maison Maillard is a typical mansion of the region
Complete with a wooden staircase and timber-framed façade
this dwelling dates back to 1561 and was constructed for mayor of the time
Today, you can wander into No. 38’s courtyard during the daytime and admire the typical Burgundy architecture in this oasis of calm in the heart of the city
Some of the best of Dijon is not to be found within the city itself but instead can be discovered by heading out of town. During a week-long visit several years ago, I soon discovered that Dijon is a great place from which to base yourself in order to explore the wider Bourgogne (Burgundy) region. After all, you can easily take plenty of day trips from Dijon
if you’re looking for a hands-off experience where you have minimal planning
then you might well want to consider booking a group tour
Sophie Nadeau is a full time travel writer and photographer focused on cultural experiences in Europe and beyond
When she's not chasing after the sunset (or cute dogs she sees on her travels) she can be found reading
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I started this site back in 2015 with one mission in mind: I wanted to create useful travel guides with a historical and cultural focus
Today it has blossomed into my full time job
and together with a small team of writers (including my husband and sister)
we craft articles to help you travel better throughout Europe
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