The mysterious spills of every Sunday.

“Cava is not Champagne sir” Josephine exclaimed. The scared wine store clerk ran to change the Cava bottle he carried in his hands for a Möet & Chandon Rosé. Devoted to her French heritage, Mademoiselle Josephine has never celebrated a New Year’s Eve without a foie-gras and Champagne pairing. Who could blame her anyway? Especially this year when the hope for the beginning of 2021 deserves to be saluted with such an elevated duo. Indeed, we welcomed 2021 with this incomparable pairing, plus a full plate of German meatballs and the most famous cheesecake in town - like Champagne itself, the last night of 2020 started brut, but ended with drops of happiness to welcome the hopes and dreams of 2021.

As the new famous Lady of Netflix would say: “Apologies dear reader, but anything is fair in the 2020 festive season, even a Sunday pause for Mr. Spills”. Even though Glühwein is a more suitable drink for the season, considering the year we have experienced, I have accompanied many of this winter’s moments with a Cuba Libre. This sweet rum & coke latin combo, takes me back to the times when I was able to party with endless energy until the sun was up. Cuba Libre also reminds me of one of my mom's best friends, who took up the sport of ironing while drinking with one, two, three or even seven Cuba Libres. As an adult, I now play it too.

Red wine brings me joy indeed. This weekend I realized how crucial it has become to my mental health during the current pandemic. The soley act of opening a bottle excites me - a ritual that officially transforms my living room from office back to home after a full workday.