Now that we are settled (ha!) here, I have resolved to try and see as much as I can, do as much as I can and just experience Paris as much as I can. I want to wring as much experience out of this experience as possible! I am also trying to overcome my quirks regarding food - have tried duck breast confit and rabbit! Can't say they are my favorite but they aren't quite as bad as I remembered/thought. I want to broaden my horizons - that's why I am signing up for all of these wonderful events that the parents' association sponsors. Last night it was a wine and cheese tasting course. The French have over a thousand types of cheese and almost as many varieties of wine and we LOVE wine and cheese. What better way to expand our palate and learn about these delicious French staples!
So there are three columns - the one on the left has goat cheeses: soft, raw milk Malicorne; ashed Trèfle de Carrelet; and dry Crottin de Chavignol - the middle cow cheeses: Camembert de Normandie; Mont d'Or; and Comté vielle réserve 18 months - and the right contains ewe cheeses: briquette de brebis; and Napoléon. The runny one in the middle had a distinct strong smell (almost a stinky one). The orange square is homemade quince jelly and the black blob is actually a fig! There also was tons of delicious bread - a must!
The wines are from left to right also - the first white is a Chablis 2010 from Burgundy, the second is a Sancerre 2011 from the Loire Valley, and the third is a pinot gris 2009 from Alsace. At first I didn't care too much for the Chablis or the Sancerre but as we began pairing them with the bread and cheese, the flavors really began to develop and change. It was crazy because with each bite and each sip, the taste was different than the last! Ultimately the Sancerre and the wine from Alsace were my favorites - they had a lovely balance of sweet and crisp and really enhanced the cheese.
The wines are from left to right also - the first white is a Chablis 2010 from Burgundy, the second is a Sancerre 2011 from the Loire Valley, and the third is a pinot gris 2009 from Alsace. At first I didn't care too much for the Chablis or the Sancerre but as we began pairing them with the bread and cheese, the flavors really began to develop and change. It was crazy because with each bite and each sip, the taste was different than the last! Ultimately the Sancerre and the wine from Alsace were my favorites - they had a lovely balance of sweet and crisp and really enhanced the cheese.
Madame Hélène des Garets Goble has been studying, selling, buying and drinking wine for over 30 years - she is so lively and entertaining. You are so busy enjoying yourself and having fun that you don't realize that she is teaching you! She not only explains how the wine is made, where it is made, how the wine gets it's taste and how just a slight deviation in location changes everything. Fascinating stuff.
A side note - we are all trying to figure out how she stays so slim and how she got those rocking arm muscles! : )
A side note - we are all trying to figure out how she stays so slim and how she got those rocking arm muscles! : )
The majority of the wines we tried were whites - I know, white wine with cheese?! But it was delicious. The crispness of the wines cut the fattiness of the cheese. The fruity and floral notes contrasted delightfully with the salty tang of the cheese. It was a revelation!
We did have one red, for the purists in our group. This one was amazing. The aromas were powerful berry and spice and yet the wine itself was smooth and light. Not at all heavy the way the smells advertised.
We did have one red, for the purists in our group. This one was amazing. The aromas were powerful berry and spice and yet the wine itself was smooth and light. Not at all heavy the way the smells advertised.
Of course we saved the best for last. Roquefort cheese and a sweet dessert wine from Bordeaux. Normally I don't care so much for dessert wines - too sweet and cloying. However, this one was nectar - not too sweet or syrupy and a perfect foil for the salty tang of the Roquefort. Sublime and a perfect finish - a great alternative to traditional desserts.
This was my second event with Hélène and I have so much fun. The company is lively and spirited and she manages to include and involve everyone. I have already signed up for the dinner and wine event for next time! The evenings are nice because the spouses come and we get to enjoy an adult evening. I cannot wait for her next tour of the Champagne region - she visits the chateaus and of course, there is the tasting part! And I will definitely post more about these visits!