Happy #champagneday Wine Lovers!

It's time to take a time out but not from wine!

Fall is here. The temperatures have dropped but sunshine prevails. And even when I can't see the sky, I remind myself that it's still blue. As I take stock of my wine cellar and my stash of bubbles I realize that it's a luxury to have these beautiful bottles. Even if you don't have a cellar, don't let that stop you from finding a little champagne joy this Friday in celebration of Champagne Day. Whether you find a half bottle at the BC Liquor store near you or you stop by your favorite happy hour bar like L'abattoir, a glass of the world's finest bubble is well deserved. Not to mention great value. There is serious romance in the making and consuming of Champagne, from the effort and time that goes into the perfection of each bottle to the effervescent sip that a glass brings. If not now, when? So dear wine lovers, I offer my wholehearted support of your choices today and everyday in the name of wine passion and personal reward.

Vitis Magazine published #champagneday by Barb Wild (Good Wine Gal) and it comes complete with four traditional champagne house recommendations highlighting their work to reduce their environmental impact from logistics to farming. Not only this but also women are rising in the ranks of this region taking on leadership roles and inspiring change. Please take a read. 

Other thoughts: 
Change is hard. No question. With so much noise in the world, one of the changes I have made is to turn off social media. While this makes it possibly more difficult to grow Good Wine Gal, it is a reminder to me and validating to anyone else who is feeling it, that we live in a world that is dominated by a negative narrative. The events of disaster and impending financial doom are living in our bedrooms, bathrooms and living rooms. It's too dark and pessimistic and can only be controlled when we take our attention away.

Now, my attention is given to a few things - I call them priorities and they are family & friends, the beach and writing about wine, listening to music and creating space and time in my day for fresh air and nature.  The choice is not easy but it is rewarding. I'm reminded with each breath the good fortune I have to live in Canada, to live in beautiful BC and to walk the White Rock beach.

Champagne
Last fall I travelled to Champagne, staying in Reims and Epernay, visiting the houses of Taittinger, Lanson, De Venoge, Perrier-Jouet, and Mercier. The incredible history of this region dating back to the Romans was nothing short of incredible. With every sip and every step along Avenue des Champagnes, I could feel the power of the people and the spirit of dreams. My story is long over due. Stay tuned. Thank you for reading. Please leave your thoughts below. 

Happy sipping, wine lover! Life is short. Drink good wine. Today why not make it #champagne.