Many of us join the wine world because of an ah-ha moment of extreme pleasure tempered with a feeling of having found something extraordinary. It’s as if a switch has flipped, illuminating a new world of taste and smell. But you may wonder, is wine worth the effort?
The answer is an emphatic YES! Consider what wine brings to the glass.
History Swirling in the Glass
People have been enjoying wine in some form for roughly 8,000 years. It didn’t go away. It flourished through the centuries of war, disasters, and economic upheaval. It’s a survivor. A glass of wine has a story to tell of the land that nurtured the vine, the people tending the vineyard, and the winemaker crafting the elixir.
A Universal Beverage
The diversity of people imbibing makes wine a global drink. It’s part of many cultures, religions, and even cuisines. Some foods, like French and Italian, evolved with wine. Thus, it is part of the community of sharing a meal or lingering afterward. It brings us together all year long and not just in October. What other beverage has this gravitas?
An Inspirational Drink
Wine has inspired poets, musicians, and artists. They have been drawn to its magic through the ages, praising it for all it is—a part of the life experience. Thomas Jefferson said, “Wine brightens the life and thinking of anyone.” Louis Pasteur reminded us that “A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.”
How can such praise not sway you to at least check out what it may offer?
Welcoming to Everyone
You needn’t spend a fortune on a bottle to experience wine. That isn’t what wine is about. It celebrates with us, comforts us, and makes us happy. It doesn’t judge. Eleanor Roosevelt is often credited with saying, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” That includes the appreciation of wine being a special club, complete with a secret handshake and sayings.
It’s not.
Wine is a labor of love, from the grower pruning his vines to the harvesters toting bins of grapes to the winery to the winemaker deciding this wine is ready. It’s about sharing stories and laughter over a bottle. It’s about making a meal taste better, even if it’s just buttery popcorn with a glass of Chardonnay.
Wine brings new experiences to the table in a way no other beverage can. The so-called rules come from people but not the drink. A new world awaits anyone willing to uncork the magic.
Photo by Art Institute of Chicago on Unsplash