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Features
 Regular
features include the superbly witty
wine articles by Ian Parkin on the vineyards of the region.
These down-to-earth, at the same time entertaining and well
informed pieces strip away many of the snobberies associated
with the whole arena of wine appreciation, inspire one to
try new vineyards, explaining all the complications that
go into making good, sound wine, and help you plan your
future wine buying trips. . Incredibly knowledgeable, Ian
gives his 'apercu' on the region's wines, plus entertaining
highlights on many of the characters to be encountered in
this idyllic region.
Ian
Parkin, together with Juliet Young has just published "100
Top Vineyards in Provence" listing his choice of the best
of the region. For information on where to obtain this booklet,
contact: jyoungmktg@aol.com
  Restaurant
critiques are penned by the indefatigable eater-out and
critic "Trencherman" Socialite and inveterate
name-dropper, aka Michael Aalders, who roams far and wide
throughout the Var and elsewhere, bringing his trophies
in the way of good eating-places, from the super de luxe
four star establishments, to simple bistros, back to the
VAR VILLAGE VOICE for everyone to savour. Witty and entertaining,
tongue-in-cheek, his pieces reflect the background of so
many VVV readers, who have travelled and experienced life,
hotels, and restaurants all over the globe.
A
collection of some of his highly entertaining articles for
the VVV have just been published under the title "OUT
TO LUNCH IN PROVENCE" by Kenneth Mason Publications
Ltd.
Michael
Milenski, recent addition to VVV contributors, is a laid
back Californian from Long Beach. Long time General Director
of the Californian Opera, he now lives in the Var and contributes
regular articles and comment on opera and other musical
events, to be found not just in the Var, but all across
the Mediterranean. He harnessed his skills last year on
behalf of VVV readers organising a special trip to Genoa
for a performance at that spectacular opera house of Madame
Butterfly, together with visits to neighbouring museums,
including the very newly opened Wolfsoniana Museum. This
year again a group of VVV readers under his guidance took
in the splendours of the restored Barcelona Opera House,
for a performance of Verdi's Don Carlos, with architectural
side visits and loads of opportunity to sample Barcelona
cuisine.
In
June, the Milenski's are hosting a pre-opera party to launch
the new opera written by members of the WEM of Carnoules,
entitled "SORBET! SORBET!" to be performed this
July. For more information try www.weekendmusical.com
 Recently
Juliet Young joined the VVV roster of writers. Long time
resident in the region, a marketeer and translator of French
books; with a sharp, observational eye and witty pen, she
discourses entertainingly about Gastronomy in all its various
guises - last April she devoted her efforts to the dangers
and angst of snail rearing, May saw her foraying into the
high Alpes in search of one of the region's most succulent
- and smelliest - goat cheeses,  Banon!
One never knows where she will get to next.
She
has also now been joined by Tessa Baker, astounding caterer
artist, who provides original thinking on culinary topics.
And
Edward Marshall – IT specialist, who left the UK to
set up his own computer consulting company, here in the
Var, at www.marshallconsulting.fr
Edward tries to keep readers on track with IT developments,
and solving their computer problems.
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