ALL things French are now in vogue on the Tweed. Our region has embraced the culture, which fittingly, revolves around fine dining and wine.

Le Tour De Tweed could start in Kingscliff, with oenophilist Emmanuel De Cose Brissac. The Fingal-based ex-pat has a "library" with more than 1000 varieties of wine.

"There's a mix of regional French, Australian small producers and Mediterranean wines, well suited to our warm climate," De Cose Brissac said.

Mr De Cose Brissac grew up in a remote country town in France.His passion for wine was ignited from an early age.

"My father had a fantastic cellar," Mr De Cose Brissac said.

As a wine merchant, and marketing agent for a champagne label, Mr De Cose Brissac developed an intimate knowledge of regional French wines and vineyards.

He met his Australian wife through work in Loire Valley, France, after she undertook chef training with Le Cordon Blue. The couple headed back to Australia and settled in the Tweed.

"I love it here, it's magical," Mr De Cose Brissac said.

"The sea here is much better than the dreadful English channel."

His boutique, Emmanuel's Wineshop has been listed on the Courier-Mail and Sydney Morning Herald fine food guides.

"I really don't chase awards, but it's nice to be acknowledged without nominating ourselves," he said.

Common French terms in the English vernacular

• Provocateur - Agitator
• Bourgeois - Middle class
• Savoir-faire - To act with grace
• C'est la vie - 'Such is life'
•   There's no such thing as an Australian Champagne. Champagne has been used as generic name for sparkling wine, but the real stuff can only come from the Champagne region in France.