I’m chillin’ the Widow!
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“This blog is like a fusion of the Baroque ‘salon’ with its well-tuned harpsichord around which polite society gathered for entertainment and edification and, on the other hand, a Wild West “saloon” with its out-of-tune piano and swinging doors, where everyone has a gun and something to say. Nevertheless, we try to point our discussions back to what it is to be Catholic in this increasingly difficult age, to love God, and how to get to heaven.” – Fr. Z
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Do you mean the SSPX reconciliations or the “personal prelature” for Traditional Anglicans that I read about tonight–Holy Smoke religion blog in the UK had it.
Ehhem,
Fr. Z,
Would you recommend we do the same?
and here i was just going to crack open a fresh jar of bread n butter pickles…
Mine has been in the fridge since last Saturday……………….
I think a little more prayer and penance is in order first…
^ … and fasting as well.
from pickles?
I’m in such a pickle about this.
Picked up the “Eat Like a Wildman” cookbook from the editors of Outdoor Life passing thru MSP.
Sadly, there’s only one recipe for crow.
After I have led a spontanaelus public Te Deum, as happened on Benedict’s election day, not that I’m disparaging the Widow, Padre, but I shall happily and once again turn to Laurent Perrier Brut Rose (or perhaps a bottle of Billecourt et Salmon Blanc de Noir if the other’s not available). [Fair enough!] SUUUUUUCH splendid stuff. But I’m going to pray alot of rosaries first….and after. Are you telling us something?
However, if my bottle had to give its life by being broken over the brain of some wolf snapping at the Holy Father’s heels, it would be as sweet!! Fear not ye brethren so inclined, I merely hypothesize.
Yes, well, the same source that told me “2 February” back on the 24th of January[!], is now saying June. But things are flying fast, so that people are falling over themselves with official communications crossing over each other with one bit of news better than the other, one decision better than the last. How great it is when brothers live in unity, and try to help each other in charity and truth! In either case, the sooner the complete regularization takes place the better it is for everyone concerned. We rejoice.
So, what’s the best to drink around Lourdes here? Anyone with local knowledge of Southern France?
Fr. Z …. Again:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye28n_aJspA
“How To Open A Bottle of Champagne With a Sword”
Cheerio!
–Guy Power
Perfect for the 4th degree!
I will buy some bottles of “The Widow” too! Perhaps I will go the extra mile and purchase a bottle of La Grande Dame.
*****
I can’t wait for the regularization of the SSPX! They have a chapel in Rio’s Southern Zone, the place where I live. If the suspension a divinis is lifted, I will have a TLM to attend there!
Currently, there is only one TLM in Rio de Janeiro (to which I cannot go, because it is offered in a place that is both very very far from where I live and also dangerous), despite its population of 7,000,000 souls. This is due to the staunch opposition to Summorum Pontificum on the part of our Archbishop, Cardinal Scheid (one monsignior and one benedictine monk have told me in confidence that the reason why no-one is willing to offer the TLM is due to fear of incurring the His Eminence’s wrath).
So, if the regularization is confirmed, His Eminence’s intransigence in opposing the TLM in the places under his jurisdiction will throw me in the arms of a legitimate and regularized SSPX prelature or apostolic administration.
I need a little education in all this Widow business, so I asked one of the Confessors here in Lourdes who knows such things, and he said that there are levels of quality for the Veuve. I’m lost. What should I look for on the various labels?
What a great discussion to have!
For those on a budget, the Roederer Estate Brut NV is a great buy. I can find it at World Market for around $21.99, other places for around $25.00. It’s the Anderson Valley, California operation of the makers of Cristal.
Father,
I’m chilling good spumante. And with shrimps and mayo, some chunks of pecorino romano, grana padano, salame di corallina romana, the inevitable Gaeta olives and a few other appetizers, no doubt: Ortrugo frizzante! Excellent with oysters too!
It will be great to head back home for the frugal Sunday pranzo after Mass in Ternità de li Pellegrini!! We’ll have to have some French cheese in gastronomic suffrage of M.L. I am afraid…
The cigar at the end will be a Padron mind you, with Pappy Van Wilken going with it. Or it could be some brandy: Lepanto? Cardenal Mendoza? We’ll see. All there rest will shout “semo o nun semo?!?”
Rigatoni co’ la Pajata, coratella, osso buco, broccoletti ripassati, Olevano, Cesanese e mostaccioli! Semper idem! Semo o nun semo? Semo!!
:-))
Irish… good prices, but good quality?
This Confessor fellow was talking about 85 pounds for the cheapest of the Widows, and well into 200-300 pounds for something better.
I must say, even a sip would be wasted on my McDonalds tastebuds. Yet, I wouldn’t want to insult the French here by toasting such good events with a 50 cent cocacola!
I suppose the price follows the years in some fashion. But I need an education in that.
Fr George:
I think the Roederer Estate is very good quality for those of us in the United States on a budget. It’s a California methode de champagne.
If I were in France, where the real stuff is made, I would splurge on the widow, or the dom or maybe even the cristal. If I were in Italy, I’d get the prosecco. You might even try the house champagne, if it exists. Because in Europe, they keep the best for themselves and it can be fairly reasonable.
And so the Widow waits to honor the Bridegroom’s Bride.
1. Why is called the “widow”? [Did you read the label?]
2. Fr. Z, why is it your champagne of choice, besides being readily available, of decent quality and relatively inexpensive? [It can be bought on sale from time to time and… btw… the point is to celebrate in some way.]
Thanks!
Thanks, Irish. The important thing is to celebrate!
1. Veuve means widow, apparently.
Info as to why it’s called that is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veuve_Clicquot
“The Widow” is also appropriate for us musicians, especially organists. Clicquot was a famous organ builder in France, and had a very successful shop. As the story goes, upon his death his wife sold off the shop and used the proceeds to purchase the vineyard and begin producing the now-famous champagne.
Father,
I wasn’t trying to be a killjoy. I was just wondering if perhaps there was some story behind why it is your champagne of choice. I love wines and I am always intrigued why people end up with “favorites.” Just curious, that’s all.
I get that it’s a celebration – indeed there is MUCH to celebrate!
Thanks for the tip, Maureen!
Patrick: Sorry about that. I get lot’s of snarky hate-mail from the ignorantly self-righteous who think that if you are not rubbing gravel through your hair and drinking from side-walk puddles, then you must be a sybarite.
Indeed…. “Veuve” means “widow” in French.
I got to know Veuve Clocquot in Rome, in says when it wasn’t terribly expensive.
Even now, when I see it on sale I will pick up bottle and cellar it against just such days for which we pray. For example, I saw a bin of the stuff not long ago (Sam’s Club? perhaps?) for about half the normal price. Those are the moments you pounce.
There are many other good bubblies, of course. But The Widow has a history on this blog.
Father,
Thanks for the reply!
If enjoying fine wine and good food makes one a sybarite, well then, sign me up.
Life’s too short to drink bad wine.
“I need a little education in all this Widow business, so I asked one of the Confessors here in Lourdes who knows such things, and he said that there are levels of quality for the Veuve. I’m lost. What should I look for on the various labels?”
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, like most of their competitors, releases three major categories of Champagne.
1. Non-vintage. This comes in “brut” (very dry) and “demi-sec” (somewhat sweeter). There are also brut rose, and demi-sec rose. VC’s famous yellow label is the non-vintage brut. About $40 US around here.
2. Vintage. This is only released in years for which they believe the harvest warrants a vintage release. Anywhere from $55-80.
3. Top-of-the-line. VC’s is called “La Grande Dame” and only comes in brut and brut rose AFAIK. Probably upwards of $150 these days.
“I drink champagne when I am happy, and when I am sad. Sometimes I drink it when I am alone. When I am in company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it when I am not hungry, and I drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it, Unless I am thirsty.”( Lilly Bollinger was a sensible woman)
The Widow seems almost never to be on sale over here (South-East England), however, there are others that are, from time to time. Unlike Lilly Bollinger, I don\’t have champagne on tap, but it is essential to keep some handy for a special event (such as the return of the SSPX and our Anglican friends).
Have just ordered a case of ’05 Pauillac, on special offer. This will be pretty darn good, so celebration is covered ;)