Dear Friends,
As we hurtle toward the holidays, my favorite season of the year, I often look for inspiration from my heroes. And there's no better culinary hero than the legend herself, Julia Child.
It was once reported that during the height of Julia's fame in the 1970s and 1980s, complete strangers would call her on Thanksgiving all day long, asking for tips on what to do with a turkey problem. It happened so much, guests of hers would implore her to get her home phone number removed from the telephone book (remember those?).
But she wouldn't. She would take the calls and help the people, embracing her role as national Thanksgiving "commander in chief."
Julia was such a lovely person and remained approachable even after becoming world-famous for her seminal "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," and very popular TV show, "The French Chef." And though she wrote books about France, she was just as skilled in American home cooking but never overly fussy when entertaining guests in her home.
It's been said that at her own Thanksgivings in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Julia put out Goldfish crackers, while people ate at the big kitchen table. She also was a fan of making a "deconstructed" turkey so that the white meat and dark meat would be ready at the same time. She liked oyster stuffing, lots of butter and cream, bubbles and vermouth on the rocks with a float of gin. Her pumpkin pie came from her Aunt Helen's recipe, though she liked to add a hint of molasses and bourbon.
But mostly I like her sentiment about the holiday, about which she once said, "A meal doesn't have to be a painting like Raphael, but it should be a serious and beautiful thing, no matter how simple. What nicer way for a family to get together and communicate?"
I couldn't say it better myself. And it's what keeps me inspired each time I see my name on a bottle of Paula Kornell Sparkling Wine. My bubbles are to be enjoyed no matter how simple the occasion and bring people together to communicate. There's nothing better than that.
Cheers to you and yours during this festive time, and cheers to Julia Child, who always knew how to keep it real.
With sparkles,
Paula
Fall Sparkling Duo
The Paula Kornell Sparkling California Brut made its debut in 2017 and soon earned the #5 spot in Wine Enthusiast's Top Wines of 2020. Made predominantly from Chardonnay with a percentage of Pinot Noir, the grapes that go into the wine are certified sustainable.
Pair it with my Napa Valley Blanc de Noirs from Mitsuko's Vineyard, a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, awarded 90 points recently from wine critic Lisa Perrotti-Brown in The Wine Independent, who said, "the palate has impressive vivacity with fine, frothy bubbles."
to learn more and follow along on Facebook and Instagram @paulakornellsparkling.