With my new Lover : Ephemera 🙂
Today's Word: "éphémère"
– Qui est de courte durée, cesse vite.
– That which is short-lived, stops quickly
– That which is short-lived, stops quickly
Click here to listen to the soundfile for today's word
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Jean-Marc Espinasse
Ephemeral… like this unusual short edition. When, this morning, I asked Kristi to mention that a few cases of my Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Natural Wine (Ephemera) were still available in the US, she offered to let me write today's post.
Actually, I could also have used "écriture" as the word of the day since writing is also now part of my life, telling chapter by chapter in our common book, The Lost Gardens, the whole story of losing the Mas des Brun "promised land". And since Kristi is about to unveil an important part of her life in our online book, I will let her concentrate on her chapter today… by elaborating this French Word-A-Day promotional edition…
Summer is about to knock on our doors and if you are looking for a fresh, light, easy drinking red wine that can actually be enjoyed cool, Ephemera is just what you are looking for.
A few weeks ago, I had the great surprise of having a quote on the local Willamette Week Newspaper. Jordan Michelman wrote a very accurate note that you can read here. This tasting note will objectively tell you more about this special wine.
To get some Ephémère within the USA (if you live in a State that accepts wine shipments), you can contact Avalon Wines (marcus@northwest-wine.com - (503) 206-8589).
If you live in the beautiful area of Portland OR, go to Providore, 2340 NE Sandy - (503) 232-1010 or Pastaworks at City Market, 735 NW 21Street – (503) 221-3002 to get some (give a call before to make sure there are some on the shelves).
At last, for Europe, please contact me at jm.espinasse@gmail.com
Thank you all of you for the already great support and feedback I had on Ephemera. A special "remerciement" for our Dear Friends Chris and George who posted the picture below with a note :
"Your Ephemera is really good. The essence of this wine lingers on the palate".
To wrap up this edition, I would like to say that this ephemeral wine project in Oregon has really helped me to continue turning the page of the painful Mas des Brun "fiasco", in giving me a chance to make wine, even with no more winery of my own. And writing The Lost Gardens will hopefully permit me to definitely close this unforgettable chapter of my life…
Cheers,
Jean-Marc
FRENCH VOCABULARY
éphémère = fleeting, short-lived, ephemeral. Ephemere is also the word for a pop-up shop or store
l'écriture = writing
le remerciement = thanks, acknowledgment
l'écriture = writing
le remerciement = thanks, acknowledgment
(from the text below the illustration)
un sac de noeuds = complex situation
chute de manne = type of fish bait (chute = drop manne = mayfly…and also manna)
Les Ephémères. Mayflies from Charles and Richard Bowlker's Art of Angling, 1854. 2. "Blue Dun" mayfly. 3. "March Brown" mayfly
Kristi here… Did you know that the French word éphémère also means mayfly in English? Those winged insects are known for their short, fleeting (ephemeral) life. According to Wikipedia, In pre-1950s France, "chute de manne" was obtained by pressing mayflies into cakes and using them as bird food and fishbait. I love the serendipity of this word, as Jean-Marc is a newbie fisherman–and passionate about it, along with all of the pros and cons… (Hit the arrow in the middle of the screen, below, to see our son Max, along with Jean-Marc, trying to sort out a tangled line or 'un sac des noeuds'.) Follow along on Instagram, where these stories from our family life continue in between the weekly posts 🙂
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Hi Jean Marc,
We definitely enjoyed your Ephemera and so happy for you and your success. Even thought Mas de Brun was a painful experience, I’m sure pain teaches us how to be adaptable and stronger. It also makes us appreciate our successes.
Good luck with your future wine endeavors and with your book collaboration with Kristi!
Bonne journée
Dear JM, lovely post, I will check with my local DC wine shop which carried you Rose from Mas de Brun, which I bought and loved! Good luck with the book, and I no matter what you have the most amazing and beautiful wife and 2 terrific and loving children, and you life in f*&^%ing Provence!—so as we say in english you are a man who “has it all” Stay young at heart to match your youthful look, you are my hero mon ami. Stephen
I’m sending my brother in law who lives in Portland in to buy a couple of bottles of Ephemera and asking him to hold it for our next visit.
Congratulations and Best of Luck in everything you do.
thank you for a very informative post – love learning about wine and the art work on your label is delightful.
Kristin and/or Jean-Marc, in looking closer at the bottle of Ephemera, do I see my friend “Le Petit Prince?” If so, I would want a bottle no matter what sort of wine it had in it!!!
Yes, it is. That word > reminds me always of that book, and the definition by the geographer. “qui est menacé de disparition prochaine.”
When the Little Prince learns that his flower is ephemeral.
The word éphémère disappeared when I put brackets around it !
Bonjour, JM et Kristi,
I’d just like to share that it is my experience that writing can clarity one’s thoughts and can lead to a better understanding of oneself. The following quote is attributed to Horace: “Patience makes lighter what sorrow may not heal.” So be patient with yourselves and those whom you love and all will likely be well. Wishing you long life and the blessings of loving family and friends.
This is lovely! Thanks, Joanne.
Many thanks, John!
Hi Kristi and Jean-Marc,
I was delighted to see today’s post about Ephemera, having ordered a bottle just last week. I can’t wait to try it. It will have special meaning to me, knowing its story.
Bon travail! Warm wishes from Vermont.
Alice, Thank you for ordering Ephemera. Cheers!
.. Wonderful and haunting and happy post , Jean Marc. I enjoyed it very much… when life stops being a ‘adventure’, personally and professionally , one should give up….. take five as the say and start all over again. I have found after 78 years, this works wonders ! Amicalement, Judi in tallahassee….
Can the wine be found in France?o
Yes, and at the end of the book, when “le pilote” is carrying le petit prince, he realizes how fragile (ephemere) le petit prince is, and that he is responsible for him in the same way that le petit prince is “responsable pour sa fleur.” It is hard to read that passage to students without there being a catch in my voice…
In my view the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir’s are as close as we can get (in the US) to a Bourgogne; perhaps not as delicate, but delightfully round and lush on the palate. This one sounds perfect for the spring to summer transition! Thanks for sharing your expertise and Kristi with us, JM. Bill
Dear Jean-Marc,
We are so excited to learn that Ephemera is still available. We have been very carefully drinking what we originally ordered, so it will be a pleasure to have additional Ephemera.
And, we are honored by your reference to our photo of and comment about Ephemera. To us it really is excuisite!
It seems that the path of your journey at Mas des Brun took you a step forward to where you are now. So much was demonstrated during that time…attempts at innovation,learning a new craft, determination, and most of all,support from your loving family. Your dear Mother Nature took her toll on you. Perhaps she had a message. Blending wine seems to be one of your strengths,whether or not, as you said, you grew the grapes.
Stay resilient,continue with your passions. It certainly seems you live a charmed life.
That you and Kristi share your life with your readers is truly a gift. We feel so connected to France through you both and connected to you through your honesty.
Fondly from Chris and George
Dear Jean-Marc,
I’m sorry that Mas des Brun didn’t work out. There have been some events in my life that didn’t work out, either. I hope, aside from any lessons learned, etc., that you can be glad that you had the experience of it, and now the memories, neither of which can be taken away from you.
How are you able to make wine without your own winery? Are you borrowing one?
Thank you so much for your Love and support Chris and George
Dear Suzanne
Ephemera is available in Marseille in the 3 “Le Vin Sobre” wine stores.
Otherwise I am happy to ship…
Cheers 🍷
Jean-Marc
Dear Marianne,
I was a guest at a friend’s winery (J Christopher Winees) and was then able to use its equipments. He sourced the grapes for me.
Cheers 🍷
💕💕💕💕