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I love winter on the Côte d’Azur. I enjoy cuddling with my husband to watch a movie or by the fireplace in the garden. I love the way the vineyard funnels sun from the Mediterranean sea into our living room. I love the early sunsets, that tell me it’s time to wind down. I adore making homemade soups. The aroma is good for my creativity and for welcoming Eric home at the end of the day. I use fresh wild thyme that grows around our family’s hunting cabin in the mountains.

I love dinner time, in the house built by Eric’s grandfather (August). It sits on the land purchased by his great-grandparents (Lucy & Jules) after World War II. Tonight we prepared grandma Emma’s wild mushroom stew over polenta. Made with a medley of wild mushrooms, tomato purée, and Toulouse sausage. We enjoyed this hearty stew with a white wine produced in Corsica. This simple yet crisp wine was a lovely balance for the acidity of the tomatoes. While simmering the tomatoes,

Eric recounts his grandma’s wisdom. She taught him everything about mushroom foraging. She shared deep insights that have become invaluable to him over the years.

“My maternal grandmother was Emma (wife of August). She was not just my mentor, but also a guardian of knowledge passed down through generations. She taught me how to recognize the edible and non-edible varieties, emphasizing the importance of careful observation and intuition.” Each variety has a season, specifically during the months of October till January, when nature reveals its bounty. Moreover, there is a specific spot to look for them, a hidden gem she referred to as the rhodou.

“We always start with the rhodou,” she would say. She explained that these locations were where the best mushrooms are found.”

The satisfaction of a successful bounty is matched only by the laughter of enjoying them together at the dinner table. That’s why I love winter, time together at home.