Spring brings rebirth, renewal, rejuvenation… and love!
“Come to the orchard in Spring. There is light and wine, and sweethearts in the pomegranate flowers. If you do not come, these do not matter. If you do come, these do not matter.”
―Rumi
NEVER MIND TINDER, HERE’S VINDER!In the spirit of the season, Paris Wine Walks is introducing singles wine tastings, where lonely hearts can meet and through the alchemy of wine, let nature be their guide… Blind wine tastings set the stage for relaxed conversation and genuine encounters. Whatever level of wine lover you are, ‘Vinder’ provides the perfect backdrop for exploration and discovery. There are no forced introductions or awkward icebreakers. Instead, attendees are encouraged to let nature take its course, guided by the shared enjoyment of exquisite wines and the company of like-minded individuals. Throughout the evening, guests can engage in lively discussions about their interests, share stories of memorable wine experiences, read poetry, and perhaps even find themselves drawn to someone special across the room. With each sip, barriers dissolve, inhibitions fade, and connections deepen, creating an atmosphere ripe for romance and camaraderie. Join us every Thursday evening for our ‘Vinder Singles Wine Mingle’. Full information on the Paris Wine Walks website.
And now, an ode to the vine and wine in Spring
This year, the vernal equinox happened yesterday at 3:06 UTC on March 20, 2024. It is the astronomical beginning of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere and the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere. Equinoxes are the only two times yearly that the sun rises due east and sets due west for everyone and everything on Earth.
Buds are just beginning to appear on Paris vines, the heralds of verdant foliage and a return to life.
Spring symbolises renewal, rebirth, and new beginnings. It is a season of transformation, as nature awakens from its winter slumber, and life re-emerges. The symbolism of spring encompasses growth, hope, fertility, and rejuvenation. It is associated with the blooming of flowers, the return of warmth and longer days, and the emergence of new life in the form of budding trees, sprouting plants, and newborn animals. Spring also carries cultural and religious significance in various traditions, symbolising themes of resurrection, regeneration, and the cycle of life.
The ancient Greeks, in particular, had a deep reverence for Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility, whose worship was intertwined with the seasonal cycle. Festivals such as the Anthesteria, held in Athens in February, were dedicated to Dionysus and included rituals involving the consumption of wine to commemorate the arrival of spring and the rebirth of nature.
In ancient Rome, the celebration of spring was similarly intertwined with wine culture. The festival of the Bacchanalia, dedicated to Bacchus, the Roman equivalent of Dionysus, was a time of revelry and excess where wine flowed freely. Springtime feasts known as “convivia” were held to honour Bacchus and celebrate the fertility of the land.
The spread of Christianity brought its own rites and rituals, while syncretising pagan traditions and practices. Wine became an integral part of the Easter celebration, symbolising the blood of Christ and the promise of redemption.
During the Middle Ages, monasteries played a pivotal role in preserving and advancing winemaking knowledge. In the footsteps of the Romans, it is them we can thank for the vines that still flourish in and around Paris, the vine itself replaced countless times, but still communicating the mysteries and essence of the soil through wine. Monks cultivated vineyards, refined winemaking techniques, and meticulously recorded their practices, laying the groundwork for the modern wine industry.
In the embrace of spring, wine becomes more than a mere libation; it becomes a vessel through which we commune with nature and with each other. It is a reminder of our connection to the earth and to the timeless rhythms of the seasons. Like the vines that bear fruit with each passing year, wine embodies the essence of renewal and the promise of abundance.
In gardens and vine-laden terraces, beneath the canopy of blossoms and stars, friends and lovers gather to partake in the communion of spring. In the poetry of spring and the alchemy of wine, we find solace and inspiration, reminding us that life, like the seasons, is a wondrous tapestry of rebirth and renewal. All in all, it is a time of optimism and the promise of fresh opportunities. It is also often a time for new love as hearts open with the effulgence of nature.
Paris Wine Walks is now proposing singles wine walks, where lonely hearts can meet and through the romance of wine, let nature be their guide… Join us every Thursday evening for ‘Vinder Singles Wine Mingle’ and let the spirit of wine soften your heart and give lustre to your cajolery.
‘The Hidden Vineyards of Paris’ is available online and in Paris bookshops
If you haven’t done so yet, you can get your copy of ‘The Hidden Vineyards of Paris’ at The Red Wheelbarrow bookshop at 11 rue de Medicis, 75006 Paris. You can also find it in most Anglophone bookshops in Paris, or order your copy directly online via the Paris Wine Walks website.
And if you would like to discover the hidden vineyards of Paris first hand, you can book a wine with Paris Wine Walks. Spring is one of the best times of the year to stroll through the parks and gardens of the city, bearing witness to the vigour and tenacity of its hidden vineyards. So make your booking today!
Wine Walks!
For more information, click on the underlined links:
Where lonely hearts can meet and through the alchemy of wine, let nature be their guide
Paris’ most famous wine producing vineyard
An insider’s journey to the oldest wine neighbourhood in the city
The Marais seen through a wineglass
Discover the vinous spirit of medieval Paris
A comprehensive overview of medieval Paris
Short on time? This one’s for you.
