May / 2014 / Our Somm Life / Page 2

I’ll be honest: this is not my first trip to the UK. Ten years ago I spent quite a lot of time here, sitting in the passenger seat, watching the rolling hills of Wales, England, and Scotland. I even made it to Brighton. But never to Reading.

The city is full of hardworking, innovative people, and it is reflected in the constant change that it has undergone throughout the times. Pubs and shopping center aside, Reading was once home to Huntley & Palmers, a biscuit and cake company. For those unaware, biscuits are cookies in England, and generally come in a tin. They were the first to use the river as a mode of export to London; a pioneer in paying a separation wage to families for employed men serving at war; and one of the first business to employ women. Sadly, Palmers sold the factory after better technology began to emerge in the 1950s…. so I may have paid attention during a museum visit… ~~Shoot me~~.

The Reading museum also had a number of other fine paintings. During the reign of Elizabeth I, Reading was sanctioned an official city of the crown.

A day spent with the sommelier, my nephew and brother in law brought us to various sights, not only including the first wine tasting shop in Reading (surprise, surprise), a proper pub meal, but also to town center, where the oldest church, built in 979 AD, stands.

My nephew and I had some quality time together strolling through the above ground cemetery, where he cooed and pointed at pigeons pecking at the earth. His spirit was bright and energetic, and reminded me of our own baby… who I missed so very much. It was intriguing to see someone so young surrounded by something so old, and made me see visions of Normans fighting over the rich soils.

The sky became drizzly, as England often does, and we began the walk back to our relatives’ flat. Even though I had seen beautiful gardens the past week, the contrast of greens vivaciously stood out amongst the brick. The bright English doors and turrets on roofs brought me closer to memories of home, as if the past week had been a dream.

I was now beginning to realize my journey was almost over… a few more days in England, a layover in Istanbul, and we would be home.

Back to our reality. Cheers?

At the center of every French town lies a carousel, a simple reminder of our childhood: the wind blowing in our face, the hot sun on our neck, and the uncertainty of where we will land. I was sad to leave the countryside, where vines smothered the earth and the people had such pride for their craft. It was another world. The sommeliers world. He was happier here than I had ever seen.

We boarded the train back to Paris, and entered back into reality… sort of. After our country vacation, the marble statues, gold inlays, and water fountains seemed a little high caste. Model-like citizens wandered the streets. On the Eurostar to London, I closed my eyes and drifted off through Northern France.

Arriving in London, the train station was a culture shock. Bright neon lights, circling sushi trains, and craft beer pubs lined the walkways. Western culture invaded my senses. Gone were the dark, muted high class clothes of Paris; bright colors, patterns, and a version of English replaced the soft Latin language of the previous week. Red brick replaced marble as we taxied to Paddington Station.

Family we hadn’t seen in ages met us at the station in Reading, talking as we returned to their spacious flat. Giggles and hugs from boisterous children, followed by ales and meat pies completed our reunion.

The sommelier brought some Pinot Noir from Ladoix (Burgundy, of course!), and the sensual roundness of the wine, coupled with soft tannin and light fruit, not only provided easy drinking, but paired with the Roquefort and beef meat pie beautifully. A match made in heaven.

A short stroll through the gardens, a study of swans, and a tour of a local University enveloped our day. The culture was different, as was the food, but the sentiment was the same: we were home. For now.

Until tomorrow… Cheers.

wine. food. family.

Monthly Archives: May 2014

visions of Normans in Reading, and a history lesson.

a train through two cities: the culture shock of England.