Notes from the Other Side
On the Massif de l’Esterel, French Riviera
It’s been almost a month since our “retirement.” Marla and I have mixed feelings, of course. While it’s nice to experience less work stress, it’s also sad to lose touch with some of the friends and customers we have been close to for so long. I guess everyone goes through these motions and the goal is to find harmony in this new situation.
One thing is for sure: We still have plenty of wine!! While we sold a lot during our February-March sale, we’re finding new treasures daily as we finalize our inventory. This inventory will be completed by end of month and for those interested, we will send a private list of available wines. (Contact me at mthibaultwine@gmail.com) Please note that Marla and I bought this inventory from our company, so from now on we’ll sell those wines via cash, wire or check sales. The list offers a number of First Growths, Super Seconds and many other wines from $15 to $5,000. The one link between all of them is that they are wines we have tasted and enjoyed.
As for for future plans: Marla and I have always loved travel – one of the many things we share in common. Our website, Travel Curious Often, has been a great source of pleasure for me as it is for others. So, our current goal is to discover places that interest us and to spend as much time there as possible. While Marla (the brainy one) is keen on visiting museums and historical sites, I will gladly follow her as long as we can sit at a sidewalk cafe for an hour or so, with a glass in hand.
The Dordogne, the fabled part of France many folks long to visit, is on our list this Summer. We also plan to spend time in Bordeaux to see friends we have collected over the years and enjoyed. Finally, we’ll also travel with a very dear friend to Burgundy where we’ll see a couple of stages of Le Tour de France.
Imagine! The last time I saw the Tour was in the early sixties when Anquetil and Poulidor fought it out for the victory. Very few will remember those days, but when Anquetil threw his water bottle, and I grabbed it, I felt like the luckiest kid in the world. Now of course, one of the sights I look for the most is that of those incredible warriors with the 21st century helmets and the 5 lbs bicycles speeding through the vineyards of Morey-Saint-Denis and Gevrey-Chambertin.
So yes, there is pleasure to be gotten from retirement, I can see that now!! Along the way, Marla and I will share our honest impressions with you if you so desire. And always feel free to ask questions whether related to the places we visit or how long to decant a young Bordeaux. We’ll be glad to hear from you.
A BRIEF ADDENDUM…
For months now here in Austin, we’ve been hearing about the total solar eclipse on April 8. Our city, coincidentally, happens to lie within the “path of totality” — where the the moon’s shadow creates total darkness for almost two minutes. Thousands of people plan to be in Austin for this event. Hotels are booked up, people are renting their homes, etc, etc.
Not to be left out of all the festivities, Michel and I have decided to throw a party during the eclipse — a combination retirement and solar observance get-together. And, since we haven’t had much time to play on the pétanque court we built last summer, we’ll also officially inaugurate le cours de pétanque as well.
In anticipation of all this, I made a trip to our favorite liquor store. At the top of my list were Pastis, this Provençal spirit is a must when playing pétanque, and Lillet, an apéritif from Bordeaux made with Semillion and macerated citrus liqueurs — delicious, but a little old fashioned, even by French standards. So, I was surprised when the store owner said I was lucky to get the last bottle. “Since Taylor Swift fell in love with French Blondes I can barely keep Lillet in stock, ” he lamented.
Needless to say, I’d never heard of this cocktail. But I couldn’t wait to rush home and tell Michel that we’re NOT Paleolithic fossils out to pasture. We are actually pretty hip participants in new ERAS.
All to say, that if by some chance you happen to be in Austin on April 8, please stop in. Besides pastis, Tex-Mex margaritas, the aforementioned Lillet (served the traditional way, over ice with a slice of orange) there will undoubtedly be lots of Champagne.
Either way, please keep in touch!
Santé ~ à la prochaine
