A Nice Bouquet
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
On Saturday, August 10, the Seine-Saint-Denis Tourism Office organized a wine adventure on the Ourcq Canal. Monique was there!
Monique Preparing to Embark on Her Adventure
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
At 7:30 p.m., she showed up at the Bassin de la Vilette (in northern Paris) and waited for her boat to come in.
Wine Vats
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
When she got on board, she saw the wine vats. The one on the left held Gamay, the one in the middle held Syrah, and the one on the right held Grenache. It was a lot of wine!
Fabrice Explains the Fine Points of Wine Production
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Fabrice of En Vrac, a wine shop in the 18th arrondissement, explained how the participants would blend their own wine from the three vats and have a private bottle to take home. What fun!
Monique Takes a Sip
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Before the blending began, everyone had a chance to taste each wine.
Drawing Gamay from the Vat
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Then each person went from vat to vat with a beaker, drawing the proportions that would suit that person’s taste when the wine was blended.
One Part Syrah
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Monique checked her proportions carefully. She took chemistry in college, so she knew what she was doing!
Monique Corks Her Wine
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
After pouring two wines (Syrah and Grenache) in their proper proportions into a bottle (a funnel was used), Monique corked it. Fabrice told her to wait two weeks for the wine to “settle” before she opened it to drink.
Thierry Sealing the Cork with Wax
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Thierry (manager of En Vrac) sealed the cork with wax and applied a label.
Monique’s Syrah-Grenache Blend
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Et voila! Monique’s personalized blend of wine was ready!
Rosaura Martinez from Los Cabos Mexico BCS
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Rosaura Martinez from Los Cabos Mexico BCS selected a blend of 15% Gamay, 75% Syrah, and 10% Grenache. She was there with her sister, who was celebrating her quinceañera.
Bagged and Ready to Go
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
As the boat pulled into dock, Monique shows off her prize!
A good time was had by all!
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