The Love of Entertaining: Global Champagne Day!

In my world, there is nothing that says "CELEBRATE" quite like champagne! So, in honor of GLOBAL CHAMPAGNE DAY and with the holidays right around the corner,  I thought it would be a nice idea to share with you a little "champagne 101" and some of my personal favorite selections.

  

In order for a bubbly to really be considered Champagne, it must come from the Champagne region in France. Otherwise, it is really just a "sparkling wine".  Real champagne is a very special product as it is a culmination of the climate, soil and French government restrictions that factor into every step of the process,including the labeling to  ensure the highest quality in the entire world. Champagnes are usually a blend of grapes, typically Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, often with a touch of Pinot Meunier as well. They range from dry (brut) to mildly sweet (demi-sec) to very sweet (doux). 


So - Let's start with the labels... How do you decipher the labels to make sure you are getting what you want?  Let's take a look....

http://www.champagne-benard-pitois.com

veuve-cliquot

While that is all lovely to know about the label... how do i really know what "taste" i prefer?  Here is your key to proper enjoyment.

• Brut: The most common style of Champagne and sparkling wines, and also the driest, although some with terms such as "Extra Brut" can be even drier.
• Extra Dry: In the twisted lexicon of wine terms, these words, on a Champagne label, actually mean the wine is slightly sweeter than Brut. Go figure.
• Demi-sec, Doux: Sweeter styles of Champagne.
• Prosecco, Spumante, Asti Spumante: Italian sparklers; the spumantes are usually sweeter in style.
• Blanc de Blancs: A sparkler made exclusively from white grapes, usually chardonnay. Usually lighter in body.
• Blanc de Noirs: Made from red-wine grapes such as pinot noir and pinot meunier, though the skins are removed quickly so the wine remains white. Tend to be richer and more full-bodied.
• Méthode Champenoise: This designation means the secondary fermentation (the one that makes the bubbles) takes place in the bottle, not a giant holding tank.

So what about VINTAGE vs. NON-VINTAGE??

Most Champagnes are non-vintage: that is, they are made from a blend of grapes from different years, aged in the bottle for 18 months. Vintage Champagne is made with high-quality grapes from the same year; they must be aged three years before they are released.

My favorites are the BLANC de BLANCS and I prefer smaller vineyards to that of the mass produced... and while I do not believe champagne has to crazy expensive to be enjoyable, I do think you need to be in touch with what you like to enjoy the full experience. 

Here are my top 5 favorite BUBBLES!  

1. Billecart - Salmon

2. Lenoble

3. Ruinart

4. Delamotte

5. Pierre Moncuit

And last but not least, some tips for Storing and Chilling Champagne

Storing Champagne:

Champagne is more sensitive to temperature and light than most other wines. For that reason, it is typically bottled in a light-resistant, dark green glass. Champagne should be stored between 40 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit and may be kept upright or horizontally.

Chilling Champagne:

Ideally, Champagne should be chilled to a temperature between 40 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature can be attained by placing the bottle in a refrigerator for a couple of hours or a freezer for 15 minutes. Finally, the classic way to chill a bottle of Champagne is to place it in an ice-bucket, half filled with ice, half with water, for 20 minutes.

HAPPY GLOBAL CHAMPAGNE DAY!

Cheers, 

All Around the World: The Peacefulness of Sailing

It has been years since I have been on a sailboat.  So many, in fact... that I started to think that maybe I was afraid of sailing.  I do not really like the thought of deep water and a vacation entirely on a boat would cause me to be medicated.  However, last weekend I spent a few glorious hours with my family whale watching in Monterey Bay on a beautiful Italian cruiser. I was surprised to find a peacefulness that I had forgotten existed with sailing. Despite the waves that crash on the hull, the water is so quiet... even the boat is quiet with only the slight noise of the wind in the background... an elegant stillness that I cannot quite associate with anything else.

I liked it.  A lot.  It was such a disconnection from everything except the beauty of nature and the beauty of family. Indeed, a GLORIOUS experience of reflection and tranquility.

Monterey Bay, California

Captain Christian Hestness

Our captain for the afternoon was Christian Hestness and he is the owner of Bella on the Bay.  He has such an amazing love of sailing and life in general but what I really loved about him was his story. Six years ago, a job layoff forced him to make some life changes.  He decided to pursue his dream of sailing every day and started a charter company. To quote him, "I have never had less money or been more happy in my entire life."  Truly an example of doing what you love bringing total happiness. A kind of courage to be admired, for sure.

If you should find yourself in the Monterey Bay Area, I would highly suggest spending an afternoon on this beautiful boat with Christian.  I promise you will not be disappointed.  You can contact him at www.bellamontereybay.com

I hope this finds you enjoying your summer as much as I am and that you find a little elegant stillness somewhere soon.

                                                           xx,

All photos from from Bella on The Bay except as noted.

Design Inspiraton: SOMBRILLA...The Greatest Beach Umbrella Ever!

Every summer, when my family and I go to the beach, we purchase a new beach umbrella at the local grocery store when we arrive.  I know that it will be the worst $20 I will spend all trip….and it will bring me hours of frustration when it only covers my feet or blows down the beach with the slightest gust of wind.  However, at my age and with my fair skin - i cannot afford not to have one.

Skye Hollingsworth and Claire Harris - the cute Aussie girls behind the SOMBRILLA at Hollie & Harrie -  have come to my rescue!   Every now and then a new product comes along and changes your life.  PEOPLE…. THIS IS IT!

I saw these adorable umbrellas on PINTEREST last year  - of course, AFTER we had gone to the beach, but I could not wait to get my hands on one this summer.  Being a total blue and white girl, I selected the Moroccan Blue pattern above but they are all super cute.

The Sombrilla designs are bright and sophisticated and made from 100% cotton.  Not only are these light weight and fashionable… they are a design HOME RUN!  You see… as the sun or wind shifts, so can your umbrella!  They are brilliantly designed to have two coverage settings and they provide 95% UV protection. Genius.  Pure Genius!

(And don't forget to think outside of the box… how many of you could have used this at your kids' sporting events or a family picnic??)

And if all of that was not enough… they come in the perfect carrying case!

   

I am so ecstatic about this umbrella - i have ordered a second one!!  Not kidding!  one for me… and one for everyone else…..

Here's to a fabulous, sun-filled… but properly shaded summer!


                                                   xx, 

All photos courtesy of Hollie & Harrie.

Come join me for coffee with Amanda Carol!

Join me today at my friend, Amanda Carol's blog!  We are having coffee together while she interviews me!  I am so excited….usually, I am the one asking questions.  You can read it all here.

Amanda is also a very talented designer in Houston.  Check out her beautiful work while you are on her site.

Happy Friday!

                                                           xx,

Spring Inspiration: What Starts Here Changes the World

University of Texas at Austin 2014 Commencement Address - 

Naval Admiral William McRaven

At this crazy time of year, when Spring has finally sprung, schools are letting out for summer, our schedules seem to be out of whack and we feel exhausted and ready for some time away,  I encourage you to stop… and find a few minutes to listen to this amazing commencement address at The University of Texas at Austin.  I can guarantee you it is worth all 19 minutes of your time.

It will inspire you and re-energize you… it will encourage you to be your best and seek the best in others…it will even empower you to want to make your bed EVERY day… and it will make you want to change the world a tiny step at a time. There is not a single person this will not speak to and move to action.

I, for one, will be putting this in my file to review and remind me every so often of what I am capable of doing when I forget.  I invite you to do the same… and to pass it along.

That's how what starts here changes the world.

                                  xx,