Sipping Memories in Paris: A Wine-Tasting Adventure!
Finally, I arrived in Paris. I had been planning this trip since January, but it had not come to fruition until now. However, everything has settled down and I have organized myself. I have mentioned before that I enjoy traveling by train, and so, naturally, I took the London-Paris route by train. Oh my, it takes so much engineering to build such a huge tunnel. It scares me a little (but not as much as when I travel by plane:) when passing through this underwater tunnel. Nevertheless, I am happy to have arrived and am eager to enjoy this experience.
I have been to Paris several times before, yet every time, I feel there is something new to discover. If you decide to travel with Eurostar, I recommend getting business class tickets at least once. You deserve the experience, from the delicious food to the good wine. If you smile nicely at the waiter, he will offer you more wine several times:)
This time in Paris, I wanted to do something different, not just wander the streets and search for Michelin restaurants (although my best experience in this regard was in a village in the Loire Valley, an experience I will never forget!). Since I began writing my travel impressions and developed a passion for wine, I have become more interested in this aspect of it. I wanted to discover more about wine, and so I planned a wine-tasting at one of Paris' wine bars. I asked my friends on social media for recommendations for a concept restaurant, and I received a suggestion from @TheWineCounter who, surprisingly, is from the US. However, he also heard about this restaurant and recommended it to me. The restaurant is called ÔChateau and is located in the center of Paris, close to the Louvre Museum.
I made an advance reservation and they offered several options ranging from a champagne and wine tasting package to pairing with cheese or prosciutto plates. I chose the cheese pairing option, followed by a dinner reservation after the tasting. I arrived a little early, waiting in line and enjoying the ambiance of the restaurant. A gentleman offered me a seat next to him, saying he was waiting for his wife, Chris and Trang, from the US. We became friends and enjoyed our time together. Although I usually enjoy traveling alone, seeing this wonderful couple enjoying themselves like two children in Europe made me feel a little envious:)...
We began the evening with a champagne tasting (Montmarthe - Secret de famille), made from three types of wine: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. It was exactly what we needed to start the evening. The sommelier even filled our glasses for us:) I hope I learned something and next time when I open a champagne bottle, I won't make any damage :). We then moved on to tasting two whites and three reds wines. I found it very interesting when the sommelier presented the wines, starting with the white wines and the regions where Sauvignon Blanc grapes are grown (from the Loire Valley - Sancerre Domaine de la Garenne - SILEX), one of the most cultivated grape varieties, followed by Chardonnay (from the Bourgogne area HAUTES-COTES DE BEAUNE Domaine Montchovet). We also discussed the history of winemaking, which revealed that after the French Revolution, the government confiscated vineyards owned by the Church and nobility, divided them into small plots, and distributed them to multiple owners. This practice led to the further subdivision of vineyards into smaller and smaller plots, which eventually led to the emergence of wine merchants who bought wine from small producers, mixed it, and then sold it under their ow brand. In the 19th century, significant changes occurred in winemaking, and Bordeaux wines were classified for the first time in 1855 by the Chamber of Commerce, following Napoleon's orders. Wine prices were the criteria for classification, but recent studies show that neither amateur consumers nor expert oenologists can correctly differentiate between fine wines and cheap wines during blind tastings and academic studies
The sommelier informed us that even if we buy a wine we're familiar with, such as the red wine we tasted, we may be surprised to find that it tastes different after a year due to climate change. The red wine we tasted still lingers on my palate, evoking an unfulfilled love story... The blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre grape varieties was well chosen, allowing for interpretation and discovery of flavors like the bitter taste of dark chocolate, a hint of spice, leather, honey, and mint. However, these are just our taste buds; in reality, it is the "magical" properties of the grape varietals during the fermentation process. For me, wine tasting allows me to recognize and appreciate the best qualities in those around me, much like in interpersonal relationships. This, I believe, is the most significant takeaway from wine tasting.
Now, let's leave the psychology aside and come back to the wine that still lingers in my mind: the Rhone-Chateauneuf-du-Pape Domaine Georges-Lombriere. (It's available on Vivino, and you must try it!)
The second wine is from the Haut-Medoc Bordeaux area, called Diane de Belgrave. It's a 2015 blend of only two grape varieties, Merlot and Sauvignon, and is a bit strong in my opinion. It has flavors of vanilla, tobacco, smoke, blueberries, leather, and plums. I think this wine would pair perfectly with game meat.
In the end, last but not least, I enjoyed the Sud-Ouest-Cahors Clos D'Audhuy wine, which I found delicious. It has a combination of leather, cloves, vanilla, black cherries, and cinnamon flavors! I admit that I should drink red wine more often, as I have been drinking more white wine lately, but after this experience, I have broadened my taste buds. Of course, it also depends on what we eat. Speaking of which, red wine pairs wonderfully with a gathering of friends, with a platter of selected cheeses, like those from the tasting at O CHATEAU. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. This was my experience at the wine tasting at O CHATEAU in Paris. I will go back there, as I have enriched my knowledge and delighted my taste buds.
On Sunday, I had some time to explore the streets of Paris, which I fell in love with ten years ago on my first trip to the City of Lights and Love, as some would say. I believe that people make the place special, and Paris certainly doesn't make you feel alone. With so many options, you won't miss anyone: from exhibitions, concerts, and walks on hidden streets with fancy cafes to wine tastings :). I know I've been to Paris many times, but I can't ignore its constant allure. Next time, I will reserve some time to stroll in the evening near the Eiffel Tower; I miss this experience, but unfortunately, I didn't have time this time.
In conclusion, Paris is worth visiting, even once in a lifetime, although I'm sure you will come back. I did not mention the strikes and protests during my visit because I don't like to focus on negative things. I hope they will be resolved soon, as we need peace so much. However, some main streets were full of garbage and had an unpleasant smell, but I did not encounter any protesters or violence. The transportation strike actually worked in my favor, as my train journey was delayed by two hours, during which I had more time to stay in Paris. The transit control through the Eurotunnel is similar to that of an airplane, with passport scanning and baggage control, but everything went smoothly. You just need to be 40 minutes early before the departure time to complete all the above procedures. It was an unforgettable experience, from leaving London to returning, and I came back with a diverse luggage of knowledge about wine, travel, people, and food.
Thank you, Paris. See you soon
Love Aezal
Comments