Skip to main content

bubbles of joy

When I first thought of starting this blog it was around New Years Eve and I was celebrating with loved ones, the beach and bubbly.

The champagne was Ruinart - the Rose.  It has a hint of pink colour.  Is dry with a touch of berry.  And is all too easy to drink.  It was love at first sip for me, and I've shared my addiction with many of by girl friends since.  (Yes I'm a self-confessed champagne pusher!)

But this is not a blog post about how good the champagne is - you can try that for yourself.  You see I think the thing about wine, champagne, cocktails (all beverages) that makes them interesting is the experience of drinking them.  Finding out the story behind the discovery of the favourite drink.  Uncovering the passion.  Discovering the origin of the lust.

For  me the story of my love for Ruinart started in France.  In Avignon to be exact.  On holiday with my husband we had the opportunity to go wine tasting in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape region with an retired sommelier.  He was a charming man with a penchant for using the phrase - 'hello, let me tell you' - before almost every sentence.  He was delightfully vintage, delightfully charming, delightfully witty and delightfully in possession of an extremely strong French accent.  I was charmed.

In our wanderings and tastings we asked him for tips on where to go when in Rheims as we would be visiting in a few days.  After a pause and the required 'hello, let me tell you' he said 'let me tell you, my favourite champagne is Ruinart. Let me tell you you must try it.'  As he'd been steering us to fantastic wine all day I couldn't wait to follow up on this recommendation and try it.  Thankfully I didn't have to wait long.  We arrived in Paris the next day and wondered past the Galeries Lafayette late in the day.  Being in Paris we decided the right thing to do would be to visit the champagne bar inside before shopping.  The champagnes on offer were all the standards until you reached the Rose where right after the Moet was listed the Ruinart Rose.  It was like fate, or destiny was telling me something.  I simply had to try it.  As much as I try to write down what that first sip was like, I really can't capture it in words.  Needless to say this has become an expensive and obsessive love affair which I hope will never run out of steam.

May it always endure, and bring joy and bubbles to all I am lucky enough to share it with.

Sally

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Surprises are fun!

On Wednesday night I had a surprise.  Hubby and I carpool and drive in to work.  We start pretty early in the morning so we can leave before the worst of peak hour really takes hold.  On Wednesday afternoon he arrived at my office and informed me that the traffic was 'banked up for miles' due to the rain.  (Don't get me started on the driving habits of Sydney-siders in the rain... Unless you have a bottle of wine for the rant!!!)  Making the most of the opportunity we decided to grab a quick bite to eat in the city and wait out the worst of the traffic. This lead to a delightful dinner with another colleague, a delightful steak, and a lovely surprise bottle of wine.  I must admit I've had this one before, but the thing that made it so nice was that I wasn't expecting dinner out.  In fact I was expecting to have to cook.  I wasn't expecting to have wine.  In fact I was expecting to go for a run.  I wasn't expecting delightful company - other than my husban

Yep.... it's time for another blog

The trouble with the holiday period is that I get time to stop and think.  I get to hang out with family and friends.  I eat too much.  I drink too much.  And I generally let go of the year that's been.  It's great.  I relax and unwind.  My body and mind take a little rest. And then suddenly it's over.  I wake up one morning and realize that I'm done with relaxing.  A new year is spread out before me and I need a new challenge. A new mountain to climb.  A new goal to aim for.  A new experience to challenge myself with.  I get excited and I plan.  I start lists.  I ponder.  I drive my husband nuts with the 'what do you want to do this year?' questions.  Quickly followed by 'What else?' So here I am again.  Over committed.  Excited.  Daunted.  And a little confused.  Why another blog?  Do I really need to do this?  Is there a purpose to it all? Ok I'll stop for a minute and have a sip of wine before I continue (this is a blog about wine - among othe

#winewednesday - The Lane Chardonnay - Block 3

The Lane Vineyard is one of my favourite places to visit in the Adelaide Hills.  We usually start the day off doing a tasting nearby and make our way there for lunch and tasting.  Pro tip... if you want to go for lunch make sure you book - it's always full.  Situated on it's only little hill and valley the views from the deck are stunning.  Last time we were there for lunch there was a large party out on the balcony for a pre-wedding celebration and they definitely had the prime location to relax over several bottles of wine in the afternoon.   The thing I love about this Chardonnay is that it's a great classic example of what a modern Chardonnay is all about.  There are no buttery, oaky flavours here.  And it's not that horrendous yellow tone that so many Chardonnays in the 80's were either.  No.  This wine is a beautiful pale straw colour. The nose is like the fresh orange blossoms outside my house, with a hint of stone fruit.  When you sip it you'l