As they waited for the keys to their scooters, they both read through the brochure.
This nectary has been in this area for close to two hundred years, it is a family run business, with casks of vintage nectar that ranges in price from a couple of hundred Simoleans, up to the thousands for the finest and most rare of nectars. The grapes are grown in the fenced in enclosure right next to the original farmhouse itself.
Anybody wishing to stay overnight, they're most welcome as there's always room for accommodation. Especially to those people who have imbibed a little too much from their nectar tasting sessions.
Be well aware that the nectar made here, is made exclusively for the connoisseur and is an 'acquired taste.'
We have a special area 'by invitation only' where you can to a round of nectar tasting, sampling our various nectars directly from the vats themselves.
The nectary itself boasts of a labyrinth of cellars delving deep underground,
which is ideal for the many distilleries both old and new that reside there. And a perfect environment for the vats and barrels of maturing nectars.
Grape pressing by the traditional method is still in use today. And for those of you adventurous enough, you can even have a go at pressing the grapes yourself. It is so much fun.
Rumours of a well, swimming with pink champagne are greatly exaggerated!!!!!
"Ohh, sounds intriguing, maybe we should take a peek at that, and maybe try a little nectar whilst we're at it."
It didn't take long to collect the keys to the scooters, although Ginny had some problems starting hers up. It coughed and spluttered and stalled a few times. So much so that Ambrose was already halfway to the Nectary by the time she'd set off.
Excited, Ambrose raced indoors and screeched to a halt as he marvelled at the rows upon rows of crates, all filled with various nectars, all labelled by their vintage and price..
"Oh," he enthused, "I really must grab a bottle of this stuff to take back home."
"Hi sweetie," Ginny said from behind him, "oohhh, just look at this place."
"I know. I'm going to buy a bottle or two, oh before I forget .... thank you."
He grabbed her in an embrace.
"Whatever for?"
"Picking this place for our honeymoon. How on earth did you guess?"
"Let's just say, I picked up on the few hints you dropped occasionally, oh and the brochures you conveniently left around the house."
They both chuckled.
Just then, a little old lady hobbled in.
"Bonjour mademoiselle."
Ginny's eyes brightened.
"Brosie?"
"Yeah?"
"You go choose a nectar, I'm just going to hang around here and see if I can get any local gossip going. Maybe some of the folks can give us some extra info. Maybe some place not on the tourist map?"
"Okay sweetie."
With that, he went over to the racks of bottles and glared hard.
what to pick, what to pick.... he mused, feeling completely over his head with the choice that was on offer. In the end, he chose a 20 yr old Pomegranate Cranerlet Nuala Grape nectar at a staggering 530 Simoleans. Much pricier than he'd anticipated.
"Oh," crooned a heavily accented voice behind him, "that's an excellent choice you made there monsieur."
"I... I did?"
"Ah oui. But perhaps you would like to join us for a wine tasting session downstairs in the cellar? We're trying out some new flavours and we'd like public opinion on them first before we release them in the general public."
"Ah, o - kaaay. But isn't that by invitation only?"
"Oh forgive me, I didn't introduce myself. I am Noelle Saint James."
"Saint James? As in ...."
"Ah oui, I am in partnership with my husband Elliot ... in our family business."
"Oh wow. Well, in that case, yeah, if you don't mind."
"But of course, I'll show you the way. Perhaps your lovely lady would like to join us too?"
Ambrose glanced over and saw that Ginny was completely enthralled by the tales of this old woman.
"Ah, I think she's a little busy at present. But you will let her know, won't you?"
"Of course, come this way."
Ginny, in the meantime, was indeed enthralled by Madame Claudine Girard. Lapping up the tall, and not so tall tales she was telling her. In a matter of minutes, Ginny had learned a local song, and the proper double air kiss greeting.
In fact, she was completely charmed by the whole culture and couldn't wait to tell Ambrose. Looking about, she noticed he was missing, and frowned.
"He is in the cellar," Noelle replied, "having a nectar tasting session with a few other tourists. Let me escort you down there. perhaps you'd like to try some yourself?"
What the heck, thought Ginny, why not?
"O-kay."
However, things weren't going so well for Ambrose. Not sure which ones to choose from, he'd picked a random bottle from the racks.
Pouring out a few glasses for other tourists who were arriving, he sat down and had a taste, but suddenly his stomach churned.
"Don't feel so good," he blurted out to another local, one Jolene Montaque, "I think that nectar's off. Taste's weird."
"Tastes fine to me," she replied, grabbing a glass, "you Sims aren't used to vintage like this. Try another."
"Um, I'd... better not...." he belched, feeling acid in his throat, "where's the nearest bathroom, I'm going to be sick."
Just then, Ginny arrived escorted by Noelle, and stopped dead when she saw Ambrose's pale sweaty face.
"You okay there sweetie?" she asked stepping forward.
"I'm *burp* fine," he replied, his voice a little wobbly, "just *burp* peachy. Oh by the way, your nectar is off."
"Mais non!" Noelle blanched, "it can't be. We spent thousands on it to perfect it."
She turned to Jolene.
"Which nectar did you offer him?"
"He picked it himself, from over there." she pointed to a shelf in the corner.
"Oh, non, non,"wailed Noelle, "he wasn't supposed to choose those ones.... they're a special blend, for my special clients!!"
Ginny frowned.
"Special... clients?"
"Ah oui, we have a really excellent client base of vampires who we cater too. And THAT stupid woman has offered your husband some apple plasma nectar."
"Um, plasma.???"
"Oui."
"... as in ... BLOOD?"
"I am so sorry."
Virginia turned to the unrepentant woman, holding the glass in her hand.
"You KNEW about this?"
"He chose the nectar himself. I didn't force him to drink it."
"I hope you're happy,"Ginny countered nastily, "you've made him ill. And possibly ruined our honeymoon in the process."
"Ooh, look, I'm married!!!" Ambrose blundered, obviously delirious after his encounter with plasma - and not feeling at all himself.
Jolene just shrugged her shoulders and walked off.
"I am sorry," Noelle replied sympathetically, "that's Jolene, she doesn't care much for tourists."
Ambrose gave out another belch, then headed straight for the bathroom behind him.
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