Asst Mayor and Mayor of Beaune with two Nantucket Selectmen

Did you know that Nantucket and Beaune are twinned?

Jumelage means twinning. It is a movement started after WWII to bring together municipalities, in hope of fostering the opportunity to learn more about the daily lives of those in other places, develop a dialogue and possibly enter into joint projects.

Hospice de Beaune

Fast-forward to 2005, and, thanks to the efforts of Denis Toner, founder of the Nantucket Wine Festival, Beaune and Nantucket are sister cities.  Dismayed at the perpetuation of “Freedom Fries”, Denis approached the Mayor of Beaune with the idea of Jumelage and ceremonies on both continents soon followed.  Inspired by the common culture–an appreciation for fine dining and wine, a respect for history and architecture and a pervasive spirit, to name a few–Denis pioneered the concept and realized it in a celebration of a lifetime over a long weekend in October 2006.

Attended by nearly 50 Nantucketers, I will never forget the moving ceremony in the Hospice de Beaune and the festivities that surrounded it.  The town rolled out the red carpet and we were feted like royalty by all the big guys:  Corton Charlemagne in the caves of Latour, a toast in the ancient-modern maze of Bouchard, another lavish dinner at Jadot, La Paulée (a tented BYOW party) they are still talking about.  Let’s just say, if there’s ever an anniversary bash, you will want to be there.

On the eve of a trip to Beaune, I thought I would post a Jumelage photo album.

Mark & Elisabeth at the 2006 Jumelage of Nantucket and Beaune

Welcome to the inaugural (life)Style & Terroir blog post from currentVintage!

In general, blog posts are made in close proximity to real time–more like tweets—but in my world, there will almost always be a 7-second delay.  Not to censor or edit, just to process all of these amazing life experiences that I find myself in every day! This week,  I’m recounting some of the highlights of the 2009 Nantucket Wine Festival, which ended Sunday and already feels like 6 weeks ago…

Wednesday morning upon arriving at work, I was greeted by Comte Philippe Senard and his fashionable wife, Beatrice, who offered me a taste of their Corton-Charlemagne.  It was only 10:30a.m., but these Grand Cru opportunities do not present themselves to me every day, so I happily accepted.  It was fun talking with the Senards and showing them currentVintage.  And fascinating how that glass of Burgundy nectar evolved every few minutes, from the initial distinct minerality of CC to the honeyed finish a half hour later…sublime.

That night was the tremendous Ambroise dinner at Oran Mor.  Think Brut Cremant with Island Creek oysters and caviar, ‘04 Nuits St. Georges “Les Vaucrains” with decadent braised short ribs…served in the intimate, candle-lit warmth of one of Nantucket’s most beautiful restaurants. The charming Bertrand Ambroise spoke of each wine, each vintage with candor, wit, knowledge and affection…And Wednesday was just the warm up.