I hesitate to use the word "equal" except in mathematics. It is more of a theoretical than practical concept in a world where nothing is created equal.
While opportunities are certainly improving in modern times, it is still far from fair and equal for everyone. The evolution of rights has taken a long time to reach where we are. Women are privileged and disadvantaged at the same time (and that must mean the same for men, though differently).
With no judgement intended, I am not a "bra-burning" feminist, and I have no problem drinking from a champagne coupe, which is rumoured to have been modeled after Marie Antoinette's breast. A glass of champagne is always welcomed, although I still very much prefer to drink from a champagne flute (tulip) for the reasons that the bubbles would last much longer. This could be a topic for another time.
Female empowerment is nevertheless a topic close to my heart. I salute the women who braved the odds in men-dominated environments and found their own paths to success. They are my inspiration and constant reminder to myself to keep going and never lose heart in finding my own way while fully accepting the realities of what I am dealing with.
On a casual Thursday evening to celebrate the soft-launch/silent publishing of this blog (which is still a work-in-progress at this in time I am writing), we opened a bottle of Henriot Brut Souverain. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing, and the champagne was friendly, adding a classic touch to the moment.
This champagne house was founded by Apolline Henriot in 1808, who aspired to illuminate her lands through the creation of a great champagne. Beautiful story, perfectly on point.
The Brut Souverain is the house's first cuvee, a multi-cru, multi-vintage blend. According to Apolline, one year was not enough to tell the personality of the terroirs. So she decided to keep wines in reserve every year to make the final blend afterwards.
So a bottle of this champagne is ever-evolving, combining the flavour of the year from the base vintage, and the history of time from their blended reserves, reminds me of evolution and collective memory. It is interesting how a bottle of champagne can encapsulate the spirit of being alive with the zeitgeist while remembering the history at the same time.
The grape blend is in equal measure of 45% of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, where the inspiration for the first part of title came from. While the proportion of Chardonnay is generally attributed for bringing elegance and Pinot Noir for providing structure to the champagne, some studies have suggested that the grape blend does not distinguish the taste profile significantly. So in the case of champagne drinking, equal measure does not seem to mean much, except when it concerns the quantum of the pour perhaps.
The champagne did not disappoint with its dynamic complexity. It was appropriate for a spontaneous but nonetheless important moment in privacy and its story sparks larger thoughts about evolution and equality.
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