I wanted to report on last night’s little event.
I was invited to a soirée of the Bonne Volonté Literary Society (BVLS) held at the Hôtel Le Bristol which is over on the rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré. It’s a grand hotel that first opened its doors in 1925. For me to get across town, or for that matter getting anywhere, fast on a Friday evening in Paris is a challenge. Somewhow I made it in time in my “tenue de cocktail” as required.
The Bonne Volonté Literary Society is a Franco-American organization which has been in Paris since the 1920’s and at one time, I believe, there was an association with the well known Shakespeare and Company located at that time at 8 rue de l’Odeon, on the Left Bank. The Society prides itself, and always has, on its distinguished membership – hence the reason I was only an invited guest. It is not at all uncommon at these sorts of events to run into a variety of well known names it could be someone from the French cabinet, usually the Quai d’Orsay crowd. I understand that Mr. Dominique de Villepin had been an active member but stopped when an invitation was extended by the Society to President Sarkozy who accepted. You’re also likely to run into someone from our U.S. Embassy looking to rub elbows, catch a free meal, or pick up a tidbit of information. You see an assortment of other diplomats -whatever the local flavor du jour might be, and of course a literary presence with a sprinkling of authors, young and old, French and English, some well known others not so and all writing about something deeply meaningfull -to them.
I did run into Tessa who is someone I had met at a function given by my friends Raymond and Sylvie at their apartment on the Boulevard Suchet. We hit it off and shared an affinity for good food, good wines and superb champagne and not always in that order. Anyway, she was there with someone who it turns out is our embassy’s Legal Attaché (LEGAT). He was a rather hulking figure in a badly tailored suit and hands the size of catcher’s mitts. Tessa is a Cultural Attaché and seems to pop up all over Paris in social circle or another. An extremely bright young lady and properly pedigreed with Harvard, Oxford, Columbia Law as well as a stint at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. To my recollection, Tessa has at least four languages including Cantonese and Arabic. She seemed to know her way around patent law and intellectual property. I’m sure there must have been a fit with her skills and our embassy’s cultural needs. I just didn’t see it. Oh yes, I did gleam from her one night over dinner that her father had been a big wig at Foggy Bottom years ago and that he had done a stint in Paris with the Embassy but that’s all I knew. That’s all I cared to know.
Back to the important things. Once all the back slapping, hand shaking, cheek kissing, card exchanging, false flattery throwing and other disingenuous cocktail rituals had subsided we got down to business. I will dispense talking about the various readings and new author introductions because quite frankly I wanted to let you know about the “Dégustation.“
Rémy Martin, Cœur de Cognac is one of RM’s recent releases, Coeur de Cognac (Heart of Cognac) is distilled very slowly for extra smoothness and vibrant fruitiness. I wasn’t sure what to expect thinking it might be something a little bit like the big heavy XO but au contraire, it was very smooth and easy to drink. If you’re looking for elegance you won’t go wrong with this.
The champagne Charles Heidseick, Brut Réserve was remarkably smooth and generous on the palate. A nice mix of Pinot Noire, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. This is a big boy with almost fleshy fruit and coriander. If your a Piper fan this is a must buy for your cellars.
Dewar’s Whisky 12, 18 and Signature represents pretty much the top of the heat in the Dewar’s collection. All are simply amazing and if you’re a Scotch drinker you want to spend some time and make three new friends.
Château Corton André, Saint-Romain, Volnay Village was quite a pleasant surprise and overall a really delightful Burgundy. As the the attending sommelier noted this was the kind of win to serve alongside a green peppercorn encrusted duck, a grenadin de veal with a mixture of mushrooms, or a rabbit stew. I could not have agreed more.
A Dauvergne et Ranvier, Côtes du Rhône, Tavel was last on our list but certainly not least. How can a wine that was the favorite of the Avignon Popes be anything less than a miracle. The popularity of this Rhone Valley beauty is one reason why it’s known as the “king of the rosé.”
By the time I left the Bristol, it had started to rain. I wanted badly to catch a cab home but settled for the Metro.