Purefrancenow was asked to organise this wine-tasting event by Meeting Protocol Worldwide for one of their international clients during a major exhibition at the Lyon Congress Centre.

The wines chosen by our award winning sommelier were also specially selected for each course of the evening dinner at the Cour des Loges.

Beautiful surroundings, elegant atmosphere, superb food, top quality wines, and good company – an absolute recipe for success for any company wanting to treat and impress their clients at any time of the year.

Visit our recent pre-editorial on this event at:  Wine Tasting Event by Purefrancenow in Lyon

Purefrancenow specialises in the organisation and arrangement of tailor-made wine and gastronomic events in Lyon and the surrounding region, including the Roannais and the Beaujolais. We will organise unique events for both private and business occasions.

Provide the brief and Purefrancenow will provide a successful solution!

We will also arrange all accommodation and transportation according to your detailed requirements, and we are here to help with creative suggestions, including themes for any event. All fully detailed and very competitively costed in a ‘Purefrancenow Proposal’ document for your assessment and agreement.

Purefrancenow has an office base in the Rhône-Alpes region, near Lyon, so we are on the spot to service any event requirement. We have both English and French-speaking personnel on the ground to assist in all arrangements and project control throughout.

We also have reliable, ‘tried and tested’ event service companies within our ‘service’ portfolio who we use for different aspects of any event, such as transportation (eg coaches and limousines, even planes and helicopters!), variety of entertainment options, design and decoration, accommodation, venues, specialist catering and menu preparation, including, of course, the best French wine sommeliers/oenologists, and more!

Wine-tasting Event by Purefrancenow in Lyon

Sélection John Euvrard

If you wish to discuss an event idea with us, and would like us to provide an initial proposal, please contact us direct:  info@purefrancenow.com

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Cour des Loges, Lyon

Purefrancenow has recruited one of the best sommeliers in France to select all the wines and perform the wine-tasting ‘degustation’ and presentation during the evening.

John Euvrard was elected Sommelier of the Year in 2007, and Meilleur Ouvrier de France, after 15 years as head Sommelier for Paul Bocuse;

John Euvrard has been a Sommelier since 1990.

He started his training at the Lycée Professionnel Jacques de Romas in Nérac, and finished at the Relais de la Poste in Magascq on the west coast of France.

Then he joined Paul Bocuse and his team in Collonges au Mont D’Or as a sommelier in 1993, and went on to become his head Sommelier in 1998.

In 2007, after a year long competition, John receives the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France in the categorie of Sommelier, from the President of the Republic, Mr. Nicolas Sarkosy. During this year, John is also elected Sommelier of the Year by the magazine Le Chef.

In 2008, John launches his own wine tasting company, and organises wine tasting, training sessions and informative events.

In 2010, John launches his brand new enterprise in Lyon : John Euvrard Selection , a meeting place for individuals and professionals, to taste, select and purchase a great variety of different wines.

John’s choice selection of wines for our November Wine-Tasting Event are:

MONDEUSE DE MONTAGNIEU 07 R

ST JOSEPH COURBIS 08 R

BEAUJOLAIS LES GRIOTTES 2011 R

BEAUJOLAIS NUGUES 10 B

ALTESSE DE MONTAGNIEU 09 B

CONDRIEU A. PERRET 2010 B

POUILLY FUISSE VV 09 B

COTE ROTIE BONNEFOND 09 R

John Euvrard- Sommelier Extraordinaire!

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Based in a region famous for its gastronomy, the Château du Bourg has a large summer house (it’s original orangery), recently renovated with heating and air-conditioning. This beautiful building, full of ancient character, is ideal for weddings, receptions, or business seminars and events. It can accommodate up to 200 guests.

This magical Château and its stunning countryside location also has a recently restored 17th century house with 3 bedrooms, and 2 suites which can accommodate up to 12 persons for self-catering or special events.

Apart from the magnificent grounds around the chateau where you can relax in the gardens or stroll through the estate, there is also a 120 acre fishing lake where you can fish for pike, carp, and black bass. It is a perfect place for a fishing holiday or just for some holiday fun. Ideal for both family and business events, too.

Close by you can enjoy golf, horse-riding, and swimming, as well as a huge variety of country and water sports, including different types of flying opportunities at Renaison airport nearby.

An absolutely perfect place for a weekend or holiday break.

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Château du Bourg

And how wonderfully fortunate are we, in the Roannais region of the Rhone-Alpes, to have this Affineur of fine cheeses right on our doorstep.
Many year’s ago we had been pointed in the direction of the Mons Fromagerie in Halles Diderot, a fabulous high quality indoor market in Roanne.
Having been told that they were simply the best place to purchase cheese, not only for quality, but also breadth of choice – they sell a range of over 230 different cheeses throughout the year. and unparalleled expertise.

Today, Maison Mons has 22 people working at its caves in the Roannais, 155 clients in France, and many clients in 19 countries, 130 individual producers in France, 4 cheese shops, and about 190 different cheeses aging throughout the year. ‘Affinage’ cheese aging will always be the heart of the operation.
In 2009 Mons are continuing to expand and are developing a new entity ‘La Compagnie d’Affinage des Caves de la Collogne’, which is unique in its realm. They have recuperated and restored an old train tunnel and transformed it into a cheese aging tunnel.

This project will be completed in July 2009, and will allow Mons to really differentiate their products from the rest with an unprecedented environment and care for all their many cheeses, leaving Maison Mons with an exclusive range of high quality.products.
Maison Mons is always looking forward.

Visit their new website for more information about this excellent establishment, and, of course, where to buy their wide range of top quality cheeses:   Maison Mons

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purefrancenow food and drink

purefrancenow cheese news and blogs

Through the generations, the LEBLANC family has handed down its trade secrets based on the watchwords of authenticity, tradition and nature, flavour, gastronomy and sophistication.

Is it the stone mill that has been grinding the seeds and fruits since 1878, or is it the age-old techniques passed from father to son?

It’s probably a beautiful combination of the two that guarantees the quality and special identity of every precious trickle of oil that emerges from the press.

www. huile-leblanc.com

The famous J.Leblanc oils in the Roannais – by Lucy Franklin

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All in the name of many children’s charities. And, of course, one of the Roannais’s most famous chocolatier is well-represented. Pralus, based in Roanne, is featured once again this year. Francois Pralus, ‘le maitre chocolatier’ of the Roannais, received an Award of the Salon du Chocolat in Paris. A distinct achievement amongst the 9 best chocolatiers in France!

“Chocolate is a cultural product connected with pleasure and a luxury food item that reflects the latest trends.

To celebrate this wondrous substance, each year the Paris Chocolate Show stages a fashion-chocolate fusion in the form of the incomparable and essential “Chocolate Trends Fashion Show”. This ephemeral pageant presents a prestigious collection of “couture” dresses designed by talented duos of fashion designs and chocolatiers.

Inspiring many a dream, the event has been organised for the 11th year in aid of the umbrella organisation “La Voix de l’Enfant” of more than 50 children’s charities represented by French actress Carole Bouquet and French singer-songwriter Mathieu Johann. The aim is to both amass several tons of chocolate for sick and under-privileged children, as well as raising funds from the chocolate makers and exhibitors at the Show. ”

“For the 15th anniversary of the Show, the pageant will be presented as a fairytale opera, consisting of several tableaux on the theme of opera and music, featuring chocolate “couture” dresses worn by celebrities.
A unique and surprising Son et Lumière show, combining the magic of iconic couturiers such as Thierry Mugler and Jean-Claude Jitrois, the fervent imagination of avant-garde designers such as Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Christophe Guillarmé, Dognin, Jean Doucet and Virginie Stucki, the perfection of major chocolate makers such as Barry Callebaut, Chapon, Chocolat Bonnat, Christophe Roussel, Ghraoui, Jean-Paul Hévin, Jacques Bellanger, Le Roux, La Maison du Chocolat, Michel Cluizel, Nestlé, Philippe Pascoet and Pralus, and the talent of famous artists and celebrities.

To celebrate Chocolate, each year the Paris Chocolate Show stages a fashion-chocolate fusion in the form of the incomparable and essential “Chocolate Trends Fashion Show”.

Inspiring many a dream, the event has been organised for the 11th year in aid of the umbrella organisation “La Voix de l’Enfant” of more than 50 children’s charities. For the 15th anniversary of the Show, the pageant will be presented as a fairytale opera.”

Visit the wonderful world of chocolate at: Salon du Chocolat

Pralus, famous chocolatier in the Roannais

Read more about Pralus, and other fine food companies and restaurants in the Roannais, Rhône-Alpes, in our Blog, News, and Reviews at:

www.purefrancenow.com

There will be ongoing events, programmes, exhibitions, and opportunities for businesses in all areas of Art and Design.

After take a little more than three years of work, part of the site of the old arms factory of Saint-Etienne has been brought back to stunning back life with this  City of Design including a School of Art and Design  (ESADSE) with its 350 students, and holding a variety of symposiums and exhibitions throughout the year, and open to all audiences.

La Cité du Design – Saint – Etienne

(Institution publique créée en 2005 par la ville de Saint-Étienne et Saint-Étienne Métropole, sous la forme d’un syndicat mixte. La Cité du design vise à développer les usages et les bénéfices du design en multipliant les occasions de rencontres entre professionnels du secteur, entreprises et particuliers.

Cette jeune institution s’inscrit dans le chantier de reconversion d’une ville emblème de deux siècles de révolution industrielle.
Produit de l’histoire stéphanoise, la Cité du design a bénéficié de la volonté et d’une forte dynamique locales initiées notamment par l’ École supérieure d’art et design de Saint-Étienne – ESADSE – (anciennement École régionale des Beaux-arts de Saint-Etienne ERBASE), créateur de la Biennale Internationale Design Saint-Étienne en 1998.
Aujourd’hui, Saint-Étienne Métropole, la Ville de Saint-Étienne, la Région Rhône-Alpes et l’Etat – Ministère de la Culture accompagnent le développement de la Cité du design, à travers leur participation à l’EPCC (Établissement Public de Coopération Culturelle), nouvel outil juridique qui concrétise les partenariats publics et dynamise le déploiement de son activité. Cet EPCC sera effectif en janvier 2010.)

Visit: www.citedudesign.com

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The Pure Art Gallery

The Auvergnat , as Mons was originally named, was founded in 1965 by Hubert and Rolande Mons.

They started by selling on local markets and from a truck selling door to door. Their high quality and constant search for new products quickly won them praise and recognition in the cheese world. As is often the case with successful companies.

From these historic small beginnings a high quality business was born. In the 1980′s when Hervé and Laurent, the sons, started working with their parents the company took great steps forward; with the opening of new stores in les Halles of Roanne, Renaison, Montbrison… and the development of an affinage operation in Saint Haon le Chatel in the Cote Roannaise.

During the 1990′s the company was recognized for its excellence and its know-how, and obtains an agreement to supply the Relais and Châteaux, and Accord Groups.

Fromagerie Mons serves the best restaurants and cheese shops around the world, including some of the royal tables.

A few years ago, the company started fulfilling an international demand : Mons now sells to more than 10 different countries throughout Europe, including the USA and Japan).

Today, The Auvergnat has become Maison Mons – Fromager Affineur, managed by Hervé Mons. After starting under his father training, Hervé went to study with the famous cheesemongers such as Jacques Vernier and Christian Cantin. In 2000 he was awarded Meilleur Ouvrier de France – Best artisan of France, the highest recognition one can achieve in the field of affinage.

In 2002 he receives the title of Best Fromager by the Gastronomic Pudlo Guide. Congrilait, the most important worldwide event of the dairy industry, asked him to organize its 2002 show. The Sirha contacted him for its 2003 International contest of the best cheese board. And this is only a part of his personal and business achievements.

In 2004 he created, with his brother Laurent Mons, a training school Opus Caseus Concept for their customers and other people who want to know more about how cheese is made and its flavour refined.

In 2005 he organised the first International competition Caseus Award, made up of the best cheese makers from 12 countries. In 2006, Maison Mons arrived in the London at the famous Borough Market and created the company Mons UK with a young cheese maker Mr Jonathan Thrupp who has learned the cheese arts with the Maison Mons. Mons also set their feet firmly in Montbrison with the opening of a shop with another of our prodigious students Cedric Lenoir, who took the shop on as a new adventure.

In 2007 we opened the boutique Marechal in the Halles de Lyon, which is run by Etienne Boissy (Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2004) who has been with Maison Mons for many years now.

Most important of all, Hervé Mons travels all over France, searching for the best cheeses, particularly from those farmers who are still using traditional methods of production. Then the cheeses are matured in the Mons caves to develop their aromas and taste.

This is why today, Maison Mons is the official supplier of the best tables around the world and is recognized as the benchmark in specialty cheeses. Maison Mons keeps its roots locally meanwhile recruiting a professional team in each of its shops, and at the same time developing the export market thanks to its extensive range, and unparalleled expertise. Today Maison Mons has 22 people working at its caves in the Roannais, 155 clients in France, and many clients in 19 countries, 130 individual producers in France, 4 cheese shops, and about 190 different cheeses aging throughout the year. Affinage Cheese Aging will always be the heart of the operation.

In 2009 Mons are continuing to expand and are developing a new entity La Compagnie d’Affinage des Caves de la Collogne, which is unique in its realm. They have recuperated and restored an old train tunnel and transformed it into a cheese aging tunnel. This project will be completed in July 2009, and will allow Mons to really differentiate their products from the rest with an unprecedented environment and care for all their many cheeses, leaving Maison Mons with an exclusive range of high quality.products.

Maison Mons is always looking forward.

Purefrancenow Visit and Review

Fromagerie Mons are specialists in the true sense of the word. For this reason they supply all of the ‘top’ restaurants in the area, and beyond. They, in fact, export all over the world – from the USA, UK, Norway, and Australia, to Russia, Japan, China, and Spain. Our, eagerly awaited, recent visit to their headquarters and storage caves in Saint-Haon-le-Châtel in the Roannais, has now added a further dimension to our understanding and love of cheese. It would have been extremely difficult not to share the passion and excitement that exudes from the Co-owner and Director, Laurent Mons, and his Quality Control Manager.

On our arrival at the Fromagerie, we were first greeted, surprisingly, by a youthful, and enthusiastic American, Eric Meredith. We were amazed to learn that he had come to work at Mons only 2 years ago from a cuisine and nutrition background in New York. He is now responsible for Quality Control at Fromagerie Mons. Although now Fluent in French, Eric led us through the various stages of cheese affination (the development, nurturing, and flavour refinement of cheeses brought in from 110 small farm producers) in English – which we much appreciated. It would have been tragic to miss out on any snippets of the deluge of information that was fired confidently, and concisely, in our direction. ‘Passion’ seems too subtle a word to describe Eric’s love and understanding of the whole cheese process. He really does live and breath his work. He is totally dedicated. It is a vocation, not just a job! To achieve the continued quality for which Fromagerie Mons is reputed this is the only way.

From regular liaison with the many suppliers to hands-on nurturing of the varying types of cheese, Eric’s knowledge is outstanding. He treats each cheese (in fact, each batch) individually, regulating temperature, humidity, position within the different caves, whether the cheese should be kept wrapped or unwrapped (and if so, what in), and on what the cheese should rest – great slabs of wood, or straw matting. All in the name of quality of taste refinement! Eric understands the nuances of the chemical processes that create, ripen, and develop cheese. He is a true connoisseur. An intelligent, scientific approach, but with enormous passion and dedication to the art of affinage (refining of a cheese) After our superb tour we visited Laurent Mons in the board room. He is ‘fired’ by the love of not only his cheeses, and his historic family business, but also of the Roannais region, full of its many gastronomic delights. Rarely have I found in the UK such true adoration of a business. Fromagerie Mons is exceptional. A successful, entrepreneurial, family-run company.

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Also visit our other Purefrancenow Reviews on Maison Mons:

Maison Mons, Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse

Maison Mons, Les Halles Diderot, Roanne

Gastronomic Magic of the Roannais! – Maison Mons - A special ‘Food and Drink’ section about the delights of the Roannais.

Full of useful information about the Roannais in the Rhône-Alpes the Purefrancenow Newsletter also provides up-to-date details of the growing coverage and success of www.purefrancenow.com throughout the UK and Europe, as well as the USA and rest of the world.

There are links to the Purefrancenow Blogs, News, and Reviews as well as to regional Roannais businesses and restaurants. This includes opportunities for UK businesses and leisure-travellers alike.

Local news about places of interest are also regularly highlighted.

Just another useful and helpful service by Purefrancenow for their current clients, and prospective ones visiting their website for the first time. Well done!

Also take a look at the Purefrancenow Roannais Directory.

The Purefrancenow Monthly Newsletter Archive – at your service!