Busy, Busy, Busy

December. The festive season?? Really?? It’s more like the busiest month of the year. A month filled with things that must be done, should be done, or absolutely cannot be forgotten. So, you probably don’t have time to read this newsletter from the Dordogne. We – Zsuzsi and Floris – completely understand. That’s why we’ve filled it with practical tips to help you survive this frantic month of December.

Booking Just Got Even Easier and More Fun!
Good news: our website has been completely revamped! Think of it as a turbocharged tool, with a smart search engine and a sleek, modern design. Everything you need is now just a few clicks away. Whether it’s availability, prices, or additional services – the answers are ready and waiting for you. Booking a holiday now feels like a celebration in itself!

Even More Joy in Our “Pre-Holiday Map”
Our “Pre-Holiday Map” has already been a big hit, but we’ve made it even better. Packed with new tips and ideas, it’s the perfect way to brighten the dark December days while planning your dream holiday in the Dordogne. Holiday preparation has never been this fun or easy.

New Year’s Wishes from the Dordogne
Looking to stand out this year with your New Year’s greetings? Add a Dordogne twist! Here’s some inspiration:

• “Bonne année et bonne santé, et surtout que les récoltes soient abondantes!”
  (“Happy New Year, good health, and may your harvests be plentiful!”) Perfect for wine lovers or friends with a farm.
• “Que cette année soit aussi douce que le miel de nos abeilles périgourdines.”
  (“May this year be as sweet as the honey from our Périgord bees.”) Bonus points for showing your love for nature!
• “Une année prospère, riche en moments partagés sous les beaux cèpes du Périgord.“
  (“A prosperous year, full of shared moments under the beautiful Périgord cèpes.”) Cèpes, or porcini mushrooms, are as famous here as wine.

Our Wish for You
We wish you a healthy and happy 2025. And of course, we hope you’ll spend a few weeks enjoying all the beauty the Dordogne has to offer.

Cheers, Santé, and à bientôt.
Zsuzsi and Floris

P.S. Have you ever wondered which Bordeaux pairs perfectly with your Christmas dinner or how to create the ultimate cheese platter?

Floris’s Tip for the Christmas Dinner: Which Bordeaux to Serve?
One of the most common questions Floris gets is: which Bordeaux pairs best with a festive Christmas dinner? Here’s his advice:

• Great Years to Pick: 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019 are all excellent vintages.
• Favourite Regions: Haut Médoc and Saint-Emilion.
• What to Expect: A well-aged Bordeaux is soft, harmonious, and offers fragrant tertiary aromas like truffle, earth, and cedar.
• Serving Temperature: 16–18°C.
• To Decant or Not to Decant: Decanting can help remove sediment, but be careful to preserve the wine’s delicate structure.

Zsuzsi’s Tips for the Perfect Dordogne Cheese Platter
Another frequently asked question for Zsuzsi: what makes a great Dordogne cheese platter? Her advice: create a variety with at least five different flavours to impress your guests. Here are her top picks:

1. Fresh: Cabécou de Rocamadour (goat cheese), with a drop of honey or fig jam. No Cabécou? Try Chèvre du Périgord.
2. Spicy: Bleu des Causses (blue cheese), divine with Monbazillac.
3. Rich: Trappe d’Échourgnac (a unique abbey cheese), especially the walnut variant.
4. Semi-Hard: Tomme du Périgord, perfect with a bold red wine.
5. Unique: Fromage de Brebis du Périgord (sheep’s cheese), with its subtly sweet flavour.

P.S. Not planning a Christmas dinner? Save this list for later and come visit us to try these delights yourself!