Excerpt Nineteen

“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” –John Lennon

The oak aging in the wine paired lovely with the hazelnuts in this dish. It was an obvious compliment. On the nose of the wine in regards to aroma… there was a roundness of dried candied stone fruit and baked apricots that stood up to the rich and savory foie gras in the ravioli stuffing. This wine also had a beautiful buttery creaminess on the palate that paired exquisitely with the creaminess of the dish… 

This was my response when my professor asked me to please describe the food and wine pairing and give my opinion. It was late October, and we were attending our first of nine food and wine pairings. I was in disbelief that this was actually a required course because it was so extravagant and pleasurable. Basically the food and wine pairings consisted of a long stretched out meal with a chef preparing dishes for us, and our professor selecting wines to pair with the food. That first particular food and wine pairing we dined on, Foie Gras Ravioli with Hazelnut and Fried Jerusalem Artichokes, followed by Creamy Risotto with Parmesan, Pan Fried Langoustine and Mussels. Absolutely melt in your mouth heaven …  every single bite.

 At this point, we had become so saturated with knowledge on how to properly taste wine, it was becoming a fun game and we hoped to be called on.

The chefs and professors would just randomly select someone to discuss the pairing. It was the Socratic method where you are “called out.” It was a benefited warm-up, as I would also need to be prepared to attend formal professional tastings, in Paris, and be able to speak what they called “wine talk.” I would have to articulate my observations with confidence and proper vocabulary used in the wine world. Otherwise, the school said they would not grant the degree at the end of the program. This was a very important step in passing!

I was definitely being pushed out of my comfort zone. I could no longer be the shy, observer… but I knew it was becoming the best thing for me. The growth I was experiencing was incredible.

I felt my self confidence building. I had always considered myself pretty introverted, and I was surprised at the changes happening within myself since I had arrived in Paris. Not only was I feeling more self-possessed speaking in class and talking about wine, but I was also accepting most social invitations out, and finding myself rarely at home “staying in.” The past five years when I was with Eddie, it was few and far between that I would actually leave the house. We were always cuddled up watching movies and cooking dinner together. I lived a calm, quiet life that was pretty much a routine. I never thought I even desired being out and about, meeting new people, having new experiences and feeling out of my comfort zone on a regular basis. I was learning a whole new side of myself and I found it intriguing. I was eager to discover more and beginning to like her … the new me.