This past Sunday the French Institute Alliance Française, (FIAF), held their 15th annual Bastille Day block party “celebrating the best of France”. FIAF’s mission is to create and offer New Yorker’s innovative and unique programs in education and the arts that explore the diversity and richness of French cultures.
The block party was held on East 60th Street from Fifth to Lexington Avenues from Noon to 5pm. With plenty of food stalls plus music from Martinique’s Arpège Choir a French-American electro swing group, singer songwriter Benjamin Swax, DJ Stark, the Hungry March Band and can-can dancers. In addition there were free screenings of award-winning French children’s films. Of course there were food and wine tastings. The tastings were held at the FIAF building at 22 East 60th Street in Manhattan.
Champagne & Chocolate Tasting
Always nice to start the day of tastings with excellent sparklers. The event was held in the Le Skyroom with a view of E60th Street. Six Champagne, desserts and mini pastries by Le Cirque and fine chocolates by Neuhaus, Valrhona and Chocolat Moderne
Champagnes:
NV La Caravelle Brut Cuvèe Niña
NV Ruinart Blanc de Blanc
NV Pommery Brut Royal
NV Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label
NV Moët Imperial
NV Piper-Heidsieck Brut
Wine, Cheese, Cocktails and Beer Tasting
This event took place in the Tinker Auditorium. Summer cocktails made with the anise-flavored Ricard, cheeses from President specialty, whites, reds and rosés from Bordeaux as well as beer from Kronenboug.
Some of what I sampled included:
2014 Rosé de Chevalier (Pessac-Leognan)
2013 Chateau Fage (Graves de Vayres)
2012 Chateau Au Grand Paris (Bordeaux)
2009 Chateau Duc De Broglie (Cotes de Bourg)
2009 Chateau Coudreau (Lalande de Pomerol)
1995 Chateau Rouget (Pomerol)
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