With age comes wisdom. Only recently have we understood the value and versatility of wine. We already knew that we enjoyed drinking it. We knew that certain types paired well with certain foods. Now, though, we recognize the true magic of wine; it’s synonymous with celebration.
Occasions define our lives. People receive degrees. People move into houses. People earn promotions. People get engaged, then married. People have children. And, each year, everyone gets a little older. These occasions merit revelry. And, when a gentleman arrives to make merry, he should be bearing gifts.
What should he bring? Wine. Often, the answer is wine. (It’s sometimes whiskey or scotch.) What wine depends on the giver, the recipient and the occasion. Aficionados may always tend towards fine wines. Folks like us with less demanding palates reserve nicer wines for special occasions.
We gathered recently with family for such a special occasion. It was our mothers’ birthday. She gave life to us. She raised us. She’s loved us unconditionally and put up with more shenanigans than any mother should. She deserves good wine, so we uncorked a bottle of 2011 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon from Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa Valley.
Like mom, of course, the 2011 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is a quality vintage. Apparently, the growing season featured unusually cool temperatures and well-timed rainfall. We aren’t sommeliers. We couldn’t tell you how to grow grapes. But, we can attest to taste. The wine was dark, dense and fragrant. It was dry with only a slight hint of fruit. Most importantly, it made made mom feel loved and appreciated. La mulți ani!
BTW, 2011 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon plus baked brie with pepper jam equals awesome.
