Vive le Beaujolais!
When I was younger, wine was usually a means to an end or something I would gulp ungracefully at the dinner table. While I don’t profess to be a sommelier, I’ve certainly increased my interest and love of white, red, or rose from around the world.
With the wine harvest season upon us, there are no shortage of trade shows, parties, and celebrations of all that 2008 had to offer. I was lucky enough to recently attend the Beaujolais Nouveau Festival celebrations in Toronto hosted by the French Commerce of Canada. Beaujolais is a small area in the Burgandy region of France best known for its hand harvested grapes and light, fruity red wines. Toronto was just one of many locations around the world honouring the fruits of Beaujolais, traditionally celebrated on the third Thursday of November.
So, I showed up in my new, red Club Monaco pencil skirt along with a white pinstriped blouse hoping not to spill a drop of Beaujolais Nouveau. I was not disappointed as there was wine, cheese, and desserts galore, not to mention a good looking crowd speaking mostly French to each other (something about overhearing a different language is very attractive to me!).
The best part about this event? Enjoying sips from 12 Beaujolais crus with my family – my sister, boyfriend, aunt, uncle, and cousin were my entourage and entertainment for the evening. I felt quite European smelling, swirling, and sipping wine while overhearing introductions, pick ups, and downright cheesy lines from the French Torontonian community. Simply put, it was a great way to dress up, socialize en Français, and try some fruity red wine.
Do you have a favourite “fancy” event that you enjoy? Would you prefer wine to be involved, or is dressing up for a night out enough?
Another Gift Guide Giveaway!
Last week I gave away four items from my Top 10 Gifts Kids Want (congratulations to our winners!) and this week we've got prizes from my Top 10 Gifts for Mom as well as an item from the Top 10 Gifts for Hubby and Top 10 Gifts for Dad.
While the gifts from the mom's guide would be great to pass along to your mom, or any woman in your life, you could just as easily keep them for yourself (we promise, we won't tell!). If you correctly answer the question below, you could win one (1) of these gifts: a My Tagalongs set of goodies, Midnight Butterfly Sublime Radiant Powder by Guerlain, an Umbra photo album provided by Chapters Indigo, a set of MAC cosmetic brushes, or one of three books provided by Random House: Rachel Ray's Big Orange Book, The Complete Christmas Book, and Martha Stewart's Cookies.
From the gift guide for dad we're giving away the LightWedge Book Light and from the gift guide for hubby we're offering the Nike Performance Men's Hatphone.
Here's the question: Name one (1) location that I mention in my Top 10 Gifts for Mom where you can take your mom for High Tea. (Read our giveaway guidelines here.)
Good luck and happy merrymaking!