fandomhigh | Wine & Dine: Pairing Fine Food with Wine Wine in Fine Countries; Thursday, 4th Period [07/18].

"As with our previous trip to Italy, no comprehensive exploration of fine wine and dining would be complete without a visit to the country of France, as well," Ignis said, to start the class out as they gathered for their portal to their weekly destination for sips and snacks. "More specifically, we will be traveling to the Champagne region, although, believe me, it was a very tough decision to make. Alas, we have so many regions and so few weeks, and so Champagne it shall be, instantly bringing to mind a very specific wine, well known throughout the world. True Champagne only comes from Champagne, after all, and anything else is just merely sparkling.

"This week," he further explained, "we will be visiting Veuve Clicquot, a house founded back in 1772 and then taken into the hands ambitious young widow in 1805 whose formidable contributions to the art earned her the title of la grande dame of Champagne, which was particularly exceptional during the time. We will embark on a brief tour of the history of the house before we settle on its spacious lawns for a picnic, wherein we will be sampling two of their signature vintages along with some excellent and well paired French cuisine.

"As always, I expect you all to be quite respectful and inquisitive, and, without further ado, let us see if our portal is now prepared."

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Feeling a bit bubbly.

Any thoughts to share before or upon arrival are always welcome, of course, or whatever else you might need to tend to before heading off to the destination.

Learn more about this specific vineyard in a brief tour that seeks to feature some of the more interesting details about the place without nudging too much into their time in actually enjoying the wine and some food. Ignis will encourage the students to also take note of comparisons between this week's locations and last week's. Are there any notable differences in the two regions that you've noticed? Is it all just a matter in same process, different grapes? Or something else there?

Or just enjoy the view and the history, that's acceptable and understandable as well.

It is, conveniently, a rather pleasant and lovely day in this region of France on their visit, perfect for a lovely outdoor picnic featuring two signature cuvées: the aromatic and silky brut and the fresh and fruity rosé. The selection of food includes fresh seasonal products and a few choice items from their collaborations with a variety of chefs, featuring a champagne burger, a lobster tempura with seared scallops, stuffed courgette flowers, and roasted apple and cinnamon crepes.

Drink, eat, enjoy, and, of course, discuss.

Distract him so he doesn't come up with fifteen million new recipehs!

Summer Smith

Gladiolus Amicitia

Stark

Stark was quite happy to indulge in a fancy picnic in a beautiful locale. Particularly with the company available (Ignis, obviously).

Well, Stark would just have to take that time in Ignis' company later, because as they were settling into the picnic, Summer was absolutely settling in with her shoulder leaned against Stark's. She popped a strawberry into her mouth and sipped at her rosé with a happy little sigh.

"I am definitely a Champagne girlie," she declared, surprising hopefully no one.

And now one of those strawberries was going to be fed to Stark, because, sure, it was a class, but if you're going to have a Champagne picnic in the romantic French countryside, you just kind of had to expect that kind of thing, right?

Nell Ingram

Nell might just have tugged Gladio off to the side to steal a kiss or two. What? It was France and practically cried out for it. Plus, it's not as if Ignis could see them. Sorry, Iggy.

A romantic picnic in France. Perfect!

After her class and a morning of pampering, this was the perfect way to spend the afternoon.

Oh, like Stark would turn down anything Summer hand-fed him, even in a class. Even in a class where he was still more than a little nervous that the instructor might decide to do away with him.

He licked his lips to clear away any stray bits of strawberry and then leaned a little harder into Summer. "I like it here."

The class, the vineyard, this exact spot...all of the above?

"Have you tried the flowers?" He picked one up and held it out.

Ignis might not be able to see them, no, but that didn't mean he would miss your little departure from the tour, Nell.

Gladio, meanwhile, would have absolutely no complaints or resistance to being dragged away, chuckling faintly and happily stealing a few kisses more.

"Hopefully there's not a quiz later," he murmured, grinning, and clearly in no rush to get back to the lesson.

They were supposed to be looking around, Ignis, and they were! Ish. "I think we'll manage," Nell said. "We haven't even gotten to the eating and drinking part yet."

Gladio was definitely taking advantage of the picnic on the lawn to stretch put his legs and lean back a little as he sampled the wines and the little bites of food that seemed almost comically small in his large hands.

"Guess it probably goes without saying," he offered with a crooked grin and even a wink for mostly anyone who caught his eye as he said it, "that I tend to lean more toward brut."

There was no reason for that flip, young man.

Liliana Vess

A picnic with good wine and food in a picturesque locale with, one hoped, the finest of company? That was among Liliana's ideas of a perfect time, and so she sat nibbling on a courgette flower, settling back and quite enjoying the view.

Of the instructor specifically, but France was nice, too.

Look, these are the gifs I need to post to remind myself, when I write him fighting,I'm actually NOT being extra or ridiculous, he REALLY is just like that.

Ghanima Atreides

Wine & Dine: Pairing Fine Food with Wine Wine in Fine Countries; Thursday, 4th Period [07/18].

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