Episodes

Every third Thursday of November, French bartenders across the hexagon pull millions of corks, unleashing aromas of banana Runts and regret: it’s time for Beaujolais Nouveau, a wine whose release date is literally written into law, and whose marketing has included everything from Japanese Beaujolais baths to hot-air-balloon deliveries. Beaujolais Nouveau has a surprisingly deep […]

Forget bacon and eggs, in France, breakfast doesn’t even come on a plate. 🥐☕️ Instead, it’s all about the bowl, a ritual shaped by global trade, 17th-century aristocrats, and a serious caffeine habit. Tune in to learn: Why the French word for lunch, déjeuner, actually means breakfast The FWOP’s take on bacon and brunch in […]

French wine appellations are often treated as ancient institutions, but many are surprisingly modern, and new appellations are still being created today. In this episode, legendary Northern Rhône winemaker Yves Cuilleron explains how Seyssuel, a once-famous vineyard region planted before Côte-Rôtie, disappeared completely during the twentieth century and is now being rebuilt from scratch. From […]

Camembert is one of France’s most iconic foods, but its history is far stranger than most people realize. Was it really invented by a Norman farm girl and a fugitive priest during the French Revolution? Why did trains help make it famous? Why can’t Americans buy authentic Camembert de Normandie? And what happened to the […]

The baguette is one of the most recognizable symbols of France, but its origins are far more complicated than most people realize. Emily Monaco and Caroline Fazeli explore the myths surrounding the baguette, from Napoleon and Metro construction workers to labor laws and industrial baking. They uncover the Austrian influences, technological innovations, and historical events […]