"Think the lightest sparkling wine you can remember and add a touch of the sweetness of pear to it, and you'll have the basic flavor of it. Really, it's a fruit thing with Southwestern flavors. Beer with lime, or an apricot ale, a sangria made from a wine that's not too sweet--" She smiled, warming to her theme and the praise. "With all the cheese, it benefits from the brightness."

Then she winked at him and asked, "Vanilla cream, almond cream or tart cherry in your gateau? It may take a while for me to perfect it with what we have available, but grandmere was French and cousine grew up in New Orleans 'til I took her in."