I'm finally back in France -- and I kiss the ground! We're shooting a special in Burgundy at the Chateau du Fey, where I spent several years back when, so coming here is always a happy home-coming. I've given everyone a tour of the place, and we're covered lots of territory off the property, too: visiting markets and wine cellars, getting lost on country roads.... The other day we paid a visit to my friend Brendon Moore ( www.wine-liaisons.com) who gives excellent wine tours. That's us in the photograph in vineyards not far from Chablis checking out the vines just days before harvest. Unfortunately, it is looking like a bad year for wine here: grapes are rotting on the vines from too much rain and not enough sun, and the leaves are full of holes from hailstones.

This is just a quick trip (I'll hardly have time to see friends) because I have to fly home for meetings later this month. But, it's OK because I'm coming back to spend the winter in Paris and work on a new cookbook. It will be great to settle in and make France home again. I'll write as soon as I've landed and let you know how it's going. Hope all is well chez vous --

À bientôt,