Today is my 51st birthday and what I am doing is nothing. When I say, nothing. I mean, sipping bubbly, watching First Take, Reacher, finishing an advanced copy of a dear friend’s book coming out in February, and NOT working. For the past few years, life has been LIFE~ing. Many people don’t realize that in addition to my work work, advocacy, and other stuff, I am also a full-time caregiver to my aunt (who has been in and out of the hospital since October) in Louisiana.
But birthdays are a personal holiday. Growing up my parents gave us a choice, to stay home or go to school. Since my birthday is the week before Christmas I got the Friday off before the holiday started which was fine by me. Now that I’ve lost both my parents and three brothers, my birthday and holidays look and feel different. For many, myself included, 2023 has been a lot in so many ways.
2024 brings new blessings, possibilities, memories, adventures, professional and personal bucket list items. And I am here for all of it.
In the tradition of enjoying and resting on my personal holiday here are the bottles I will be enjoying today. All bubbly. If you don’t have a Coravin Sparkling Wine Preservation System, I highly recommend you get one. It’s a game changer for sparkling wine lovers. I can have a little bit of everything and a whole lot of nothing. :)
Birthday Bubbles for the Birthday Girl!
Champagne Marguet Shaman 19 Brut Nature Grand Cru. The champagne that made me understand champagne as energy was tasting wines from Benoit Marguet. He crafts the kind of champagne that will have you thinking about what is actually going on in your glass and this bottle. It’s hard to explain if you’ve never tasted his wines.The wines have a true life force. You don’t want to chug them; you want to engage with them. You want to know why your senses are teetering on a brink of expansion. His champagnes are life changing.
Codorníu Brut Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Wine. One of my absolute favorite Spanish wine producers has added non-alcoholic bubbly to their repertoire and I am here for it. Made from Airen, this is lovely and bright.
Champagne Pierre Gimonnet Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut. I am an acid chaser when it comes to wine, especially sparkling wine. I love the feel of it on my gums, although my dentist hates it, I can’t get enough of it. When it comes to a top acid champagne, I go for this Gimonnet. Chardonnay is part of my wine love language and this champagne gives me all the feels.
Oddbird Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Wine. If you read my list of my top 10 non-alcoholic wines then you know Oddbird still holds a special place in my non-alcoholic wine heart.
Champagne Tom Gauditiabois Exploration | 03 2018. I had this Champagne in October and it literally blew my mind. I was leading my annual champagne trip and one of the guests at my favorite wine bar suggested it to the group. Needless to say, one bottle led us to two. The next day I was on the hunt and this beauty came home with me for my special day. Less than 3000 bottles of this champagne were made and I am so glad I was able to enjoy this beauty.
I hope you have a great holiday season and find joy in the little things. This video of me disgorging champagne in Champagne on Global Champagne Day with the champenois is the joy I’m taking into the rest of the year and 2024.
I have been not working on my birthday for MANY years .. I knew we were kindred spirits. Sorry I missed it!
Happy, happy birthday Julia! <3