The Wino and I Know

Origins of the Word "Toast"...

... in reference to wine.

(The man on the right is sweating just thinking about lifting his glass and toasting his friend)

The word “toast,” meaning a wish of good health.

"Toasting"started in ancient Rome, a piece of toasted bread was dropped into wine.

I do not know how a piece of toasted bread would taste in a glass of wine?

Just some thoughts...

Some Wine Toasts and Quotes...

Wine is the most civilized thing in the world.
- Ernest Hemingway.

Wine is life.
- Petronius, Roman writer

Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance.
- Benjamin Franklin

Wine is the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages.
- Louis Pasteur

“What contemptible scoundrel stole the cork from my lunch?”
- W.C. Fields as Larson E. Whipsnade , You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man (1939)

The wine-cup is the little silver well, Where truth, if truth there be, doth dwell.
- William Shakespeare

If God forbade drinking, would He have made wine so good?
- Cardinal Richelieu

 

Boordy Landscape

A portrait of the Boordy landscape, painted by my neighbor Mr. Herb. I framed the picture with Boordy corks attached by hot glue.

Boordy Concert!!!!

Friday August 6th my dad and I went to Boordy Vineyards, where I have a great Summer internship! We went for the Saturday night concert. Jimmi Smooth and The Hit Time band were playing some rockin Motown Music. 

Unfortunately it started to rain pretty hard during the concert. My dad and I sought out cover inside the wine shop. After about 20 minutes we ventured outside, the band was still rockin and people were dancing in the rain on the patio. On the lawn brave souls hid out under umbrellas.

(Old barn converted in to a wine shop and wine production area)

(People dancing on the patio. I love the little girl in mid-spin!)

(People on the lawn and waiting at the tasting barn for wine, or a wine tasting)

Women... Have Better Noses

(This man's sense of smell is not the best)

Since wine tasting is essentially wine smelling, women tend to be better wine testers because women, particularly of reproductive ages, have a better sense of smell than men.

Faking Your Way Through a Wine Conversation

If the colour is Dark red: say, “Mmm, yes I love those dark red fruits with a slight cedery spice underneath.”

Or a lighter red: “Do you get that almost sweet/sour cherry? Charming.”

Sauvignon Blanc: “This is great. I could kill for an oyster.”

Chenin: “I love Chenin, it’s a pity more people don’t drink it. Such a versatile grape. You can make anything from bubbly to brandy with the stuff.” (Say the last part as if you are talking about someone you have a massive crush on.)

South African Pinot Noir: Sigh, shake your head and smile saying, “It’s good, but it ain’t no Burgundy.”

South African Merlot: “Ja, there’s some nice plum flavours here, but I don’t like the green edge it has”

Pinotage: “Pinotage has potential, but more wine makers need to focus on…” By this time everyone at the table will have nodded off and you can carry on eating in peace.

Port: At most  restaurants Port is left open for weeks and continually served. To impress the table, take a sniff then call the waiter over and ask how long the bottle has been open for. On return he or she will most likely say a few days, but I promise you 99% of the time it is closer to a few weeks. Say, “I thought so” and request a new bottle be opened.

Chardonnay: Nice, but a little to heavy on the oak.

If it says Shiraz on the bottle: “I love the powerful red fruit and black pepper combo.”

If it says Syrah: “This is how I like it: old world style, with violets and white pepper.”

Cabernet Sauvignon: “Well, these tannins are just begging for a steak.”

Red Blends: “I don’t see my there is such a fixation on single varieties, surely by blending the winemaker can get the best from each?”

Adapapted from a post on on 2oceansvibe.com