30 Before 30 - Drink Champagne

Happy new years from La Petite Noob.  I hope that everyone had an incredible New Years Eve, whether you were celebrating at a large party or staying warm and cozy at home.  Opting for the latter, my night's plans included having a delicious dinner and wine at home surrounded by family.  I thought that this would be a perfect night to check off another task from my 30 before 30 list and start acquiring a taste for champagne.  

I've always flirted with the thought of one day becoming a lady who could appreciate and savour a glass of champagne - to me, nothing would be classier.  Unfortunately, my experiences with bubbly start and end at a New Years Eve party in my younger years - scavanging a bottle of cheap champagne, downing it all in the minutes after midnight and subsequently spending the rest of the night (and most of the next day) with my head in the host's toilet.  This event has proven to be so scarring that, up until recently, the offer of champagne still sends my stomach into knots and provokes a wave a nausea.  

This year, I thought that I would conquer my fear of champagne and change my approach.

To set the scene, we started off with a decadent dinner; this included an array of fresh breads and appetizers, arugula and roasted squash salad and ending with a main of steak and lobster.

As midnight approached, I thought it best to take control of the situation and open the bottle myself.  Years of working as a server and bartender on New Years Eve have taught me how to open a champagne bottle in my sleep (TIP - it really is all about the angle you hold the bottle when trying to open, and making sure you have the entire cork covered as you ease it free from the bottle - be it with a cloth of your entire hand).

My next strategic move was to pour small portions.  Sad that I am just now learning the self restraint it takes to open a bottle and not consume it's entire contents in one sitting - but better late than never, I say.

Cut to twelve midnight - noise makers going, kissing, hugging and laughing all while sipping my bubbly and toasting to a prosperous new year.  Before I had even realized it had began New Years Eve was over, and so was my modest glass of champagne.  What was left was the last little bit of sweetness and carbonation on my tongue, and a warmness in my heart.

This experience may not has transformed me into the champagne appreciating, worldly lady that I had hoped to be - but it has shown me the importance of slowing life down, taking things on in small amounts and appreciating the moments worth celebrating.  I have a long way to being a connoisseur, but I am content with having something special to indulge in and to accompany the moments in life worth celebrating.

One more task down on the list.  Not a bad way to start off 2014.  Cheers to a new year.

-Joelle