As I bid farewell to 2022, I take account of the highs and lows of what has been a breakthrough year. First, I recognize while it has been one of my best years, there are others less fortunate who experienced difficulty, challenges beyond their control, loss of loved ones; my deepest 🕊️condolences go out to Champagne family De Souza who lost their father and best friend, our champion and most traditionalist Champagne winemaker a trail blazer in organic farming just passed yesterday , we are once again reminded how precious life is and no matter how and why, use your time on this earth well and leave a legacy no matter how big . We are interconnected in this life, which is important to remember, and why I practice gratitude there are still haters out there looking for your ruin, steer clear, they just don’t get it.
What I am most grateful for is my family. I am happily married and my martial values and love for my husband remains an anchor in my family life, which grew with the birth of our grandson, Nord, making it two with Valentina. However, more good news on the baby front is another boy is due in April 2023. With five daughters and our first grandchild, a delightful girl, it is a nice trend to have boys in the picture. Nord, by the way, looks just like Lars! We most certainly have a busy year in store with all the grandchildren and the summer holidays. We are excited to and need more room to accommodate the growing family. It is a different view on life as a grandparents, it’s not like mother or father parenting the children but rather playing a supporting role, such as when the parents need time alone we will jump in as grandparents to take the shift, thats exciting.
My last great year was when my eldest daughter gave birth to Valentina. Becoming a grandmother and seeing the new generation makes you realize you are no longer the sweet 16 girl as you pass 40 to 50, and now 60 is creeping up. The good news is I am still fit as a fiddle, aging with grace and maintaining my health so I can enjoy my grandchildren and life in general. Coming from a family with great genetics always helps so thanks Mum!
As mature adults, successful in business and family life, we have time to reflect and set a good example and goals for our children and grandchildren. With three of our five daughters having children, Lars and I are now part of the older generation and proud grandparents. Our duty is to share our experience and knowledge, and have fun, enjoy the role of grandparent, and leave the day to day to the parents. We once thought about moving out of the castle when the children left the nest to lives of their own; however, we still have children at home (engaged in studies). Rather than downsize, l will redo our home to accommodate the grandchildren. The baby wooden swing and slide will be back in the garden. Time goes around in a circle … but it is nice not to be the parent again. I think at nearly 60 let’s be happy and satisfied, sit back and enjoy what we have worked for, for so many years.
With gratitude for abundance, here are my 2022 highlights
- Of course there is no highlight without champagne, which you all know I love( live to love). My vineyard parcel has been certified in 2022 as organic. Follow my champagne story on social media to read more! Les Cinq Filles is a big part of my life, and as I once said, All Champagne is good, it’s just a matter of taste. Producing a quality champagne is a LifeWork and not a WorkLife.
- We are busy at work and with new releases of Les Cinq Filles. We now offer larger formats from 6L upwards to 15L My champagne journey takes me to France even more than I could imagine. My weekly commute in 2022 was SWITZERLAND -FRANCE – SCANDINAVIA covered by car nearly 18500KM, and thank goodness it was in the comfort of a Maybach ultimately the best driving car for such long distances . It was the biggest turning point in my champagne history.
- Our Restaurant Geranium was voted NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD by Worlds 50 BEST ! This highlight deserves its own blog – watch this space while I put together some special moments with the Geranium Team and Chef Rasmus for 2022 -2023. All Danes take off your hats lift a glass of Les Cinq Filles in cheers to Restaurant Geranium. It is worth noting my husband and I began our life journey in love then later in work in 1992, and now here we are seeing the fruits of our labor (no pun intended) in so many great accomplishments, which Geranium is just one example.
- In 2022 I visited a number of new restaurants to experience great food and drink. Many of them were visited with my partner in crime daughter Lauren, as she is intrigued by good looking plates this trend will increase this year as a world tour is in the making on a gourmet level. What’s new is Restaurant ALCHEMIST our other gourmet restaurant puts together a Les Cinq Filles Champagne 3course pairing visual presentation menu for my clients only. Finally, what’s trending , is a new “country gourmet” favorite dish on the cards and quite an important new food plate slowly creeping up on menu cards as a nice starter is a cold dish called Pate en Croute, which when made well is absolutely delicious. It’s an old French regional dish so can arrive differently. This highlight also deserves its on blog so stay tuned as I have also been on the jury, a judge at both the European competition and recently the World Pate en Croute competition, I thank them for inaugurating me within their ‘Conferie‘, thank you very much. Stay tuned for my next blog on Pate en Croute.
- Dubai as OFFICIAL SPONSORS! For a young champagne brand it was a phenomenal opportunity. The World Expo showcases the achievements of countries, with each nation builds its own site with a year to visit. In 2021/22 Monaco invited us as Official Champagne Sponsors to their site Monaco Pavilion. The expo concluded in March and was a great example of collaboration between nations and global organizations.The French/Nordic collaboration is testament to Monaco’s commitment to creative diversity and opportunity. I worked in collaboration with Danish furniture designer Malte Gormsen a specialist carpenter who carved the multi-facet Northern Light’s timber bar by hand. Eco-friendliness and sustainability are embodied in Malte’s work, and in a pavilion that aims to operate with zero carbon emissions was a perfect match.
- After a months of preparation and intense training, I cycled on a road bike for 10 days with 14 gears though I had littel previous experience! I cycled 1000 km to Paris with 4.000 climbing meters along the way – talk about a challenge! The group I cycled with were just amazing, towing me along, yet still giving me space to learn the bike as I peddaled fiercely to do my bit for children with cancer. While cancer and other possible fatal disease are bad for adults, in children it seems even more tragic. As a mother, I feel this deeply. No matter the outcome, resources are constantly needed. Thanks to my good friend Doctor Lars Meinert, who encourage me to act instead of using time with my own vanity to help others in need.
- I continue to further my education and professional development, resulting in new offerings for my champagne business. In 2021 I took a course at Formation du Cuisine, spending three months training in the kitchens at the Institute Paul Bocuse in Lyon, France for my Formation du Cuisine accreditation. As a champagne/winemaker, the complimentary relationship betweem champagne and food has always been a passion. And because of this course, we now offer food pairing suggestions with each of our cuvées.
The downside of 2022
- The death of Queen Elizabeth. I never got over the death of Princess Diana and now our queen had left us … remember I am raised as a commonwealth child so it’s an important departure for me and the UK.
- While we thought we would be free of COVID, it continues and with it loss and suffering. We still have a way to go with mitigating COVID and other global issues.
- This … car crash (left picture) but thankfully no one was hurt. Can guess which one of the daughters? The Mr. was put out of a good car while I sorted out a new one for him, and with a good friend called Michael we came up with this game changer, the Mercedes Hybrid, even better for the planet.
Coming soon in 2023
Happy family time with the tap of tiny toes around the house.
More frequent travel to Scandinavia, the US, and Australasia and good times with family and friends.
I will be cycling again to Paris another 1000+km this year to continue to support Children with Cancer.
I will resume studies and continue with higher education, its truly essential to keep on learning, keep on developing new skills, no matter how old you are.
More curiosity about the world, which I plan to explore (have lots of great meals and champagne along the way).
My champagne journey will take a new shape with more development in Champagne and investment for the legacy which is truly on its way and now more family to inspire me.
I wish you all a happy and healthy 2023 filled with adventure and fulfilment of big dreams but be sure to reflect on your milestones as there is magic in a pen and a piece of paper to take account of all the good and even the challenges.
I stand strong in 2023 and the same for you!