点评:I must admit that I was expecting this visit to be more of an olive producer's estate, and not a gourmet shop. Don't let that first impression fool you. It turned out to be better than that.
First of all, there's plenty of parking. As you can see, our tour bus had no problem getting through the entrance. I believe they allow caravans & RVs into the parking area.
It's a Provencal specialty shop with high quality products from this region. It's frequented by locals & tourists in Grasse. They have 2 locations. This one in St. Antoine and another in the city center. This one is more rustic with olive trees and estates surrounding it. There were Eurasian Magpies flying around us, and throughout our trip to Valbonne as well. A great scenery to take in while listening to our shop guide talk about the varieties of olives in Provence, and how they are collected. He spoke to us about the method (or celebration) called "les olivades" when the olives fall naturally or raked into a net under the tree during harvest time. How cool is that? All of this was explained as we stood under an 80 year old olive tree.
We sampled a variety of different olives from the region. I was most fond of the Picholine and Caillette varieties. They are delicious! We sampled various different brands and flavors of olive oil. I don't think we would have had this much of a brand variety at an oil mill. It would have been their own special label. We tasted a somewhat grassy tasting olive oil from Grasse. Imagine that? There were flavors of truffle, lemon, and Herbes de Provence from other parts of the region. I could go on & on, but you just have to experience it yourself.
Did I buy anything? Absolutely! I didn't purchase the olives & oils. I just couldn't pass up the calissons. It was something that I regretted not buying when we visited Aix-en-Provence 10 years ago. I wasn't about to let it slip through my fingers this time. These tasted so fresh & light. Very unlike the ones I purchased through Amazon one year. You must try them if ever in this region. It's their iconic specialty confection.
There's really something for everyone here including local wine, cheese, honey, and gifts. I was very happy with our visit, tasting, and purchase. Who knows better about the local products in Provence than a gourmet shop specializing in the them?
翻译:我得承认,原本我以为这次参观的会是一个橄榄生产商的庄园,而没想到竟然是一家美食专卖店。不过可别被第一印象误导了——实际情况比预期还要好。
首先,这里的停车场非常宽敞。如您所见,我们的旅游巴士轻松就驶入了入口。我想他们也允许房车和露营车进入停车场。
这是一家普罗旺斯特色商品店,出售的都是产自该地区的优质产品。格拉斯当地的居民和游客都常光顾这里。他们有两个分部:一个在圣安托万,另一个则在市中心。这里的环境更为质朴自然,四周环绕着橄榄树和庄园。我们周围有欧亚喜鹊在飞翔,在前往瓦尔邦的整个旅途中也都能看到它们的身影。一边欣赏这绝美的景色,一边聆听导购介绍普罗旺斯地区的各种橄榄品种及其采摘方式,真是美妙的体验。他向我们介绍了一种名为“les olivades”的采摘方式:在收获季节,橄榄会自然掉落,或者人们用耙子将它们收集到树下的网中。真是妙不可言啊!这一切都是在我们站在一棵有80年树龄的橄榄树下时讲解的。
我们品尝了产自该地区的多种橄榄。我最喜欢的是皮乔林和凯莱特这两个品种,它们真是美味极了!我们还品尝了各种品牌和口味的橄榄油。我觉得在一家榨油厂里,我们不太可能见到这么多种类的品牌。他们通常只会推出自己品牌的橄榄油。我们品尝了产自格拉斯地区的一款带有淡淡青草风味的橄榄油。难以置信吧?还有来自该地区其他地方的橄榄油,带有松露、柠檬以及普罗旺斯香草的香气。我可以继续列举下去,但最好还是由您亲自去体验一番。
我买东西了吗?那当然!我没买橄榄和橄榄油,但实在无法抗拒那些卡里松糖饼啊。十年前我们游览普罗旺斯艾克斯时,我就后悔没有买下这种点心。这次我可绝不会让它从指缝中溜走了。这些点心口感清新又轻盈,和我去年在亚马逊上买的那些完全不一样。如果去这一带旅游,一定要尝尝哦——这可是他们家最具代表性的特色点心呢。
这里应有尽有,有当地葡萄酒、奶酪、蜂蜜,还有各种礼品。这次的参观、品尝与购物经历让我十分满意。还有什么能比一家专门经营普罗旺斯当地特产的美食店更了解这些产品呢?