Wine: Charm of red Languedoc overcomes reputation

At last count, the Languedoc region in France has some 50,000 grape growers that produce about two billion bottles of wine a year — making it France's largest producer.Most of the wine is red, and most of it is produced through cooperatives in which grapes for a single bottle of wine can come from many different growers in this region along the Mediterranean coast.

Languedoc wines have a history of over-production and being low-quality table wines, but that reputation has been jettisoned in favor of improved quality with the coming of new technology and more government regulation.Reds from Languedoc work with hearty foods such as beef or pork.

This wine was a syrah that was the driest of the five we tasted.2006 Arrogant Frog Lily Pad Noir, $13.99.If you are looking for a less-expensive Languedoc, you might consider the Arrogant Frog.

Drinkable today, it will age well for five years or more.2007 Lindemans Bin 55 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon, $7.99.An easy-drinking red blend of flavors from the two grapes, including black fruit, plums, pepper, spice, vanilla and oak.2006 Napa Cellars Zinfandel, $22.If you like your zinfandel full of luscious fruit, this wine offered a pretty palate of ripe dark berries, candied fruit and strawberry jam.



Source: http://www.dnj.com/article/20090211/LIFESTYLE/902110304

Lille : un prêtre mis en examen pour viols sur mineurs

Dénoncé samedi par un garçon de 13 ans à qui il avait donné rendez-vous via Internet, l'homme de 39 ans avait eu de «multiples contacts» avec des jeunes de la région lilloise sur le web.

C'est le témoignage d'un garçon de 13 ans auprès de la police qui a permis de mettre un terme aux agissements de l'ecclésiastique, âgé de 39 ans et prêtre depuis un an dans cette paroisse.

«Une perquisition réalisée à son domicile laisse envisager très fortement qu'il a eu de multiples contacts avec des mineurs de la région par internet», a-t-il ajouté, précisant que l'ecclésiastique, expert-comptable avant de rentrer au séminaire, avait évoqué «des pulsions irrépressibles».

«Cela pose le problème de la surveillance, et de l'appétence des jeunes pour internet et les sites de rencontre», a-t-il ajouté, évoquant la troisième affaire de ce type en six mois à Douai.



Source: http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/2009/02/10/01016-20090210ARTFIG00490-lille-un-pretre-avoue-plusieurs-viols-sur-mineurs-.php

En route to Oscars, Slumdog Millionaire sweeps BAFTA awards

It beat four other contenders - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk and The Reader - to win best film at the awards ceremony in London's Royal Opera House.

Slumdog Millionaire also won the best director award for Danny Boyle, racing ahead of Clint Eastwood for Changeling, David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon and Stephen Daldry for The Reader.

The film is considered the front runner for the Oscars with 10 nominations and has already dominated the Golden Globes, while also picking up prizes from the Producers Guild of America, Directors Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild and Writers Guild of America.

The ceremony of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, held weeks before the Academy Awards in Los Angeles, is one of the highlights of the year's awards season.



Source: http://www.topnews.in/en-route-oscars-slumdog-millionaire-sweeps-bafta-awards-2121981