You've Got Mayle

A piece of Provençal sunshine on a murky day in London is just what you get when Peter Mayle is in town. The best selling author (who could forget A Year in Provence and Toujours Provence in the early 1990s?) was in London to promote his latest book, Provence A - Z and film, A Good Year, based on his book of the same name, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe.

Mayle was touched when the French publishers, Les Editions Plon, contacted him to discuss the possibility of writing this tome on Provence as part of their Dictionnaire Amoureux series, enthusiasts writing about their favourite subjects. In true form, the project was discussed over a good long lunch and even though Mayle never thought of himself as a lexicographer saying ‘I'm not serious enough', he took the job.

He already had a huge bank of knowledge of the subject, researched scrupulously as he lives in the Luberon, his adopted homeland, whether visiting his favourite Boulangerie Auzet or having a cup of coffee in his local café. He spent two years working on the project when the publisher blew the whistle as they felt they had enough. Mayle has touched on things that interest him, Provençal foibles, discoveries and the things that he knows will amuse the reader, amuses bouches for the mind.

Despite the huge influx of Brits in the summer, Provence has remained true to its old self in that there are no golf courses, there are not that many spas. For all that Peter Mayle has done for Provence, this has been recognised and in 2002 he was awarded the Legion d'Honneur for his services to France. The award came completely out of the blue and in his eyes confirms him as a true resident of France. He may not be French but as a neighbour commented, ‘You are English, which is, of course unfortunate. But you should know that most of us prefer the English to the Parisians.'

And to the film, A Good Year. Roughly based on a true story, Ridley Scott, a neighbour of Mayle's in the Luberon, spotted it and saw its potential. He talked to Peter, who had also read about Hugh Ryman and his winemaking adventures in Bordeaux. A Good Year was published in 2004 and now hits the big screen, a surprisingly fast turnaround. The legal process was the longest part with Mayle's and Scott's advisers ironing out their gentleman's agreement - Mayle had the rights of the book and Scott the film rights.

The film was shot on location in nine weeks around the Luberon, finishing four days ahead of schedule, with cast and crew having a great time. Even the locals were pleased and Russell Crowe was seen drinking in the bar after filming on several occasions. Mayle says of Crowe, ‘He must have had a good time because his wife conceived their second child there.'

A Good Year is just the tonic for one of our grey days. It's a ray of sunshine, with a good dose of humour and quite a heavy layer of all things sweet. And of course, Provence provides the perfect backdrop. The film has a superb soundtrack that will keep the film in your mind for a long while yet.

Life in the Luberon sees Mayle, when not writing, overseeing his olive grove of two hundred trees which last year bore two tonnes of fruit. It's his favourite tree, saying that 'We farm them at an exorbitant cost. It would be cheaper to fly the olives over from Fortnum's.' He just wouldn't get the satisfaction doing it that way.

Not spoilt for choice, each season brings its own culinary delights. In autumn, Mayle looks forward to wild ceps. The winter brings truffles, gut busting cassoulet and velvety daube of boeuf. In summer, it's soupe au pistou, which he describes as ‘a vegetable stew in suspension' with lashings of garlic and olive oil. Asked about his favourite cookbook, The Balthazar Cookbook from the Parisian style bistro in New York, owned by Keith McNally. It's full of the things that he most likes to eat, including daube of beef.

He's a happy man, he would say content, others ‘smug' but whatever it is, you couldn't meet a more charming and engaging man. After meeting Mayle, walking along the City's grey streets didn't seem quite so dull. And of course, don't forget to see A Good Year.

Author photograph courtesy of Jean-Claude Simoen

Buy Provence A - Z (Profile Books) from amazon for £11.88.

Visit www.agoodyear.com.