A Toast to Me!

So last night I met up with some friends to see a production of On Golden Pond at The REP. I arrived a little early and spent a little time talking with “O” as he was pouring drinks for his guests when I realized exactly how much I miss pouring wine for guests.  It seems silly, but wine has the ability to take you to a whole other place.  Imagine ….

The detailed preparation that takes place only to ensure that your experience is the something special – considering your pallet to ensure that I have something to tempt it – making sure that the bottles are just the right temperature to showcase the transformation the grapes have made – cleaning every glass, spotless, so that the view is completely unobstructed – pouring it so that it reaches just the widest part of the glass so that the wine can open up, then carefully placing the bottle down so that the next pour can be just as perfect.

At that point, it’s up to you, if you’re a novice, I would hope that rather than “downing” it, you would take a moment to mimic the experts, or better yet, to ask questions, so that I can walk you through the appreciation of the taste.  I’d ask you to take a look at the color and notice how deep or clear or rich or opaque it is.  I’d ask you to smell it and describe what you smell, then ask you to swirl it in your glass just like this so that the wine can open up. Then I’d ask you to smell it again and see if you noticed any differences, what do you smell now?  Then I’d ask you to take a taste, but don’t be too anxious, let it sit on your pallet for just a moment – then you can swallow it.  What did you taste?  Did you taste berries? what kind?  was is like tasting spring in a glass?  how so? or was it something that you could picture having with a juicy steak?  What about with Thai food? Then for that next taste and to watch you walk away content with a glass of wine that you can envision as part of your future –

Or to pour a glass for the expert.  To know that they are closely watching me for mistakes – which I would no doubt make, only to welcome the helpful tips offered.  Then to see them truly evaluate the liquid decorating their glass claiming to be the best in show.  To have them appreciate the tannins, the acidity, the crispness, the imagination, the labor, the love that was placed into creating the experience just for them.

For many wine is just another beverage to be consumed… to me, it is an experience to be had.  I don’t drink wine, I savor it.  It offers me the opportunity to be a conductor for others, or the ability to transport myself to a place where nature meets labor and love.  It represents a world often taken advantage of for personal escape, but is really an oasis of art when appreciated.

Wine is not a beverage, it is an experience and I miss being a part of your experience.

claudia Wine Wine