Wine at the Table

Much of what I love about my table is the grounded sense of the elements. I love the stoneware and stainless utensils, glasses of water, a linen napkin or addition of a cotton table dressing, the wax supporting the candle flame, fresh food from local sources and the aromas that accompany them, and most of all, a tall bottle of wine. I love the way that it stands proud at the table raising the eye to the small opening at the top of the smooth glass where it can be poured for friends and family. The addition of wine to the table is a gesture expressing friendship, love, and warmth. For rarely do we share a glass of wine with anyone outside our friends and kin. The history of wine at the table was introduced by the Phoenicians who enjoyed wine to relax and promote conversation. As a winemaker each bottle of wine represents many choices and techniques but, behind all of the technical equations and logistics lays eternal romance. This romance is created with your heart, soul, and hands. However, it can only be expressed by taste and smell. Like an envelope, a story is wrapped around these senses. These stories connect soil, climate, and culture to the experience of each bottle of wine. As we enjoy endless summer nights under a growing blanket of stars, candlelight flickering, crickets chirping, fireflies dancing, and coyotes howling at the moon, the only thing more enjoyable than the bottle of wine itself is the intricate interaction of food that is paired with it. This where I will begin to share my favorite pairings that are elemental to The Winemaker’s Table.