I like wine. This is no secret. So, when my dad asked me to go to “A Celebration of Wine” yesterday, I was more than on board. (Thanks, Melinda, for the free tickets!)
“A Celebration of Wine” is a casual, fun, wine-tasting event to benefit the CSU, Fresno Viticulture and Enology Department. Over 90 wineries across the state help to create the good time. There were definitely a lot of local wineries there, too, and the fundraiser had tons of regular folk across the Valley looking to support local business.*
It also had the usual Fresno Wine-o’s.
Oh, you’ve never heard of the Fresno Wine-o’s? They really are everywhere. Let me help you identify them (which is a group to which I often belong).
Fresno Wine-o’s…
Basically worship wine: Wine bars are made into shrines in our very homes. Tuscan décor litters every available corner of the house. Even the bathroom has pictures of grapes.
Love anything Italian: We eat it up. If you say that it is an Italian fermentation process, the grapes are imported from Italy, or that your half-Italian grandmother kicks every barrel before harvest, your wine will sell like hotcakes. I don’t know if it’s envy or longing for heritage.
Claim knowledge like we are vintners: From all of the wine we have consumed over the years, we know we should have retained some bit of information about grape selection, harvest, or blending. So, when you talk about all that stuff, we affirm you whole-heartedly. After all, we drink a lot of wine, and would hate to look uneducated (or irresponsible).
Usually don’t know what they are drinking: This is, of course, unless you are one of the super-qualified professionals at one of the many winery booths we visited. Fresno Wine-o’s are happy to know they are drinking a smooth red. Once you get into spices, fruit undertones, or harsh tannens, we kind of glaze over and nod politely (and we claim this state is from having one too many).
Cook with wine: and sometimes they even add it to their food! (Can’t take credit for that one; that’s a Julia Child paraphrase).
Anyway, I anticipate that summer will be filled with lots of rose wines and cool evenings with friends and the new hubby. And, hey, if you become a Fresno Wine-o, too, over the course of the summer, all the better. It’s more fun on this side.
Not a wine person? Here is your summer drink reward for sticking through the article: Grilled Pineapple Mojito
*Including Silkwood Wines, which wins best serving size (thanks, Molly!)
Word on the street is that SILKWOOD FINE WINES (SFW) has the BEST Syrah in the WORLD; the crazy gal with the cowboy hat kept talking about Japan Airlines and some connection..........heck, I didn't care because like you said- the servings were SPECTACULAR- just like the vino that was being poured.............
ReplyDelete