I was out at dinner the other night, and again, I was confronted
with the pleasure of choosing which wine should accompany my
meal.
I was out at dinner the other night, and again, I was confronted with the pleasure of choosing which wine should accompany my meal.
How good can that be?
That seemingly simple and enjoyable task got me thinking of what an incredible story this wonderful juice from fruits and berries we call wine could tell.
It’s very roots are firmly planted (no pun intended) in our lives and history as a civilization.
Just when humans decided to take that first chance at tasting the juice of fruits and berries that had fallen, or by other means, and left to naturally ferment is anyone’s guess.
I can only imagine how something that had already naturally fermented, its sugars turning to alcohol and bursting with flavor must have rocked their world.
A food substance that was not only nutritious, it tasted good. It was also cleaner and safer to drink than water at times.
It must have also given them a pretty good buzz too. And just imagine the effects of any amount of alcohol on the unknowing mind of early man.
It’s effects have made it special, even sacred to our lives. It has been used to begin and end religious rites and ceremonies. We present it as a gift in offerings of peace and to convey well wishes. Wine has closed deals and has launched ships.
Wine has been a means of bringing caves together and clans together. It has helped in creating bounties and countries.
Whatever land we have crossed and migrated to, we brought and planted our grapes.
Because of varying climates, soils and learning to clone, grow and harvest this “food of the Gods,” today, we have an abundance of varietals, varieties and styles to choose from.
Which brings me back to my task at hand. Hmm.
Larry Brewster is the wine room manager at Dorothy McNett’s Place, 800 San Benito St.
