When I wake up tomorrow morning I will be in Paris…this moment may just trump Christmas morning. I have been dreaming of going to Paris since I watched Audrey Hepburn dance with Fred Astaire in Funny Face, and now thanks to Noble Estates that dream is a reality.

Noble Estates Wines & Spirits Inc is an Ontario based wine agency representing wines from all over the world.
I am their Licensee Sales Managers and Sommelier, and they are my family. About five months ago I got the call from our Director of Sales, Paul La Rose telling me “Hey Kid…you’re going to France!”, and now here we are, ready to take off on a two week adventure from Paris to Bordeaux.

As a young business woman new to European travel I have been freaking out trying to properly prepare myself. What I have realized is that I was acting as if I was going on a first date, and that is what this is my first date with France. So,  this is how I successfully got myself together…

Step One: If you are not wardrobe savvy find someone that knows what they are talking about. I have the most amazing stylist Carleton, who you will probably hear me refer to quite often, that turned me into the blonde Audrey Hepburn. From ballet flats to big sunglasses, I have learned it is a requirement that, one must look their most fabulous when sipping fine wine.

Step Two: Purchase a tool that may assist you in understanding the language. It could be a dictionary or an IPhone application. There are some phrases/questions you must know, for example: “I will have a bottle of”,
“I will have a glass of”, “Does it come in any other colours?”, “Do you have size..?” “I will take two!”.

Step Three: Calm your nerves. We all get jittery before a first date and a small drink, I find, is always helpful. 
I suggest Chartreuse on the rocks with a splash of tonic water.  Its French, fabulous, and 55%.

Well I am very excited to be sharing my wino adventures with you.

Until tomorrow…

Marisa

They say you should only arrive in Paris when it’s raining, because that’s when Paris smells the sweetest. Well, as I arrived it was raining perfectly, and it smelled sweet, the reason is because of all the damp chestnut trees and the pinkness of Paris.

In one day I have learned how to live La vie en Rose “looking at life through rose coloured glasses”.  It was not just because of the excessive amounts of Rosé, it was the electric hue of the city. Since jet lag plus tipsy do not equal rest, we decided not to waste any time and took a three hour drive by of Paris, which is an off and on bus tour that we never got off. Driving past history and everyday life we were able to see Paris as its own world. By 7:30pm the bus would go no further and we were kicked off, which then lead to the “after dinner” stroll, where I truly fell in love with Paris. As we roamed the streets, stress began to fade and I really started to breathe the city in. We came to a bridge called the Pont des Art which is the connection between left bank and right, where lovers come from around the world to write their names on a lock and latch it onto the chain links of the bridge. But as we walked I began to notice young groups with their guitars, bottles of wine and cheese, first dates, anniversaries, work colleagues, all sharing this connection. It seemed like the city was completely content and I was standing in the heart of it. In a trance we continued over the bridge and found ourselves in this quiet courtyard where a group of musicians were playing classical music, and I needed to have someone slap me because I thought I was dreaming. I said to myself, “if this is Paris then I am in heaven”.

It’s almost midnight here now and I am sipping a on a glass of Rosé to put a seal on my pink day. It is very easy to experience La vie en Rose even if you aren’t in Paris, chill a bottle of Rosé and spend time with someone or people that make you laugh and love life.

Until tomorrow…

Marisa

Today we walked Paris and…

Ate Pasta al Pomodoro in an “Italian” French restaurant that insisted Italians no longer enjoyed tomato sauce. It was interesting and for the record we walked passed a thousand restaurants and when we wanted to eat we couldn’t find one.

Took pictures of Moulin Rouge.

Sipped Pastis (a traditional anise flavoured French liqueur) in MontMartre.

Went on a Carousel ride.

Had Cafe au lait beside the Pompidou Centre.

Tried to find the best steak et frites.

Had a glass of Moet in a jazz bar paired with a very cute waiter!

So you can see that I had an amazing day, but, I would like to touch on something that you may not be use to reading in normal blogs, and that is… the restrooms.

If you are a female travelling in Paris you should understand that co-ed is not uncommon. I am an active wine taster eagerly trying the fruits of France so it is understood that I made expected visits throughout the day. However, there were a few times I went blind and it was two seconds too late!

So here is my advice to the women who are new to visiting Paris and like to drink wine throughout the day:

1. Wear your sunglasses so the look of shock, when you run into men doing their business, is not so apparent. Be polite, smile, and glance at the wall beside you.
2. Have your cell phone handy. Some of the lights are based on motion, but tend to shut off quicker than expected. So it is handy to have a light when you can’t see your hand in front of you.
3. Travel in pairs. In a city of old, things can fall apart. For example; if the stall you have entered, door handle comes off, it is always helpful to have someone on the other side to let you out.
4. Be prepared to study your surroundings. I have learned there are a million ways to flush in France, but chances are there will be something you have to push.

I realize that this may be something very strange to address when talking about the city of love, the fact is that after a few glasses of wine we need to be prepared for such situations.

Until tomorrow…
Marisa

I think I saw more of Paris in one day then most people see in a life time.

It is my last day in Paris, it is verging on 1:oo am, and I am desperately trying to get through this blog, to be up for  5:30am in the morning.

But I have to tell you that…I have gazed upon the Eiffel Tower, Walk the one zillion stairs to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, Strolled the Champs Elysées, and met the Mona Lisa in The Louvré. I also walked along the Seine River and bought a March 3rd 1956 magazine with Audrey Hepburn on the cover. But truly I must dedicate this day to my mother who has never been to Paris…Mom, at every epic moment of Paris I stopped to think of you, and many of those moments involved roses and I stopped to breathe them in.

So tomorrow we leave Paris and I am about to experience the greatest wine journey any young Sommelier could ever hope for. Let`s hope that after a bottle of Cremant deBourgogne, and three bottles of Rosé  we catch the train!

Until Tomorrow… 

Marisa