“Even though I know how to use a smartphone, I’d still rather go dancing than watch television, and I find nothing more satisfying than singing with my friends next to a fire. We are here so briefly that missing a single opportunity to connect with people seems a crime. That’s why we drink wine – it softens the hardness of the day, and loosens our tongues so that we may confide in a friend, share the day’s events with a spouse, or sparkle with a lover over a romantic dinner. This is why we are alive – to be together.” (Celia Ramsay)
A few years ago at an exceptional wine tasting in the heart of Tuscany, Italy … we were very sagely advised: “if the wine doesn’t tell a story, it’s just business.” We’d never before thought of it that way, but ever since then, we are always hoping to discover a great story on the label of an unfamiliar bottle.
I received a bottle of RAMSAY for my birthday. We’d never tried it before. It is a very lovely Merlot from California and it might be one of my all time favorites in terms of the beautiful ‘story’ it told (as quoted above). I resonated so deeply with its message… well, except for the singing. I do love a roaring fire, but I’m not much of a songbird.
And, not too long ago, we attended a wedding where the ‘story’ told on the bottles of wine provided on each of the tables was brilliantly incorporated by the mother of the bride into her extraordinary speech honoring the matrimonial couple. The story that she created from the ‘story’ on the label stirred our sentiments and took our ‘toasts’ to an even more meaningful level.
But, not to worry if you are popping the cork on a bottle of vino that is “just business”. You can always create a meaningful story of your own with the memories you are making while you are sipping it with others. As some wise but unknown soul once said: “Friends don’t let friends wine alone.”
Cheers … K 🙂
P.S. We shared my birthday bottle of RAMSAY with our very good friends over a most delightful and delicious meal one Sunday night. And we unanimously enjoyed it’s flavor and fullness. The food and the friendship was exceptional too. As always. And we played cards (as we often do) … and … I think I won (as I often do). Okay … as I often HOPE to do. Nonetheless, as I recall on this particular evening, our typical game of Hearts became a real nail-biter. Nerves were clearly jangled as I pulled off some real ‘power’ moves … with a poker face and absolutely NO table talking. Well, okay … maybe a little table talk and probably some trash talk. I remember one hand in particular being so well executed that I think I left them all speechless! No, wait … maybe that was the time that I flubbed up so royally that we were all laughing hysterically. Well, whatever … the exact details aren’t all that important, because this is the ‘story’ I am telling about that night with our good neighbors and that lovely bottle of Ramsay. 🙂
Better Because of You ... 