In Vino Veritas

My wine tastings are legendary among my friends. We have great food and great wine...but I think it has a bit more to do with the particulars of the guest list. A sort of on-the-edge nitro glycerin mixture of outsiders, insiders, fakers, true originals, and people whose personalities are such that they barely get along with themselves, let alone each other. Some are there for instigation, others for comedy relief. The rest...just to watch the show. I play the part of MC, but I try to fill in where we have gaps too. It all works, you get an edgy party ignited by tension and wine, where anything can (and often does) happen. And the dynamic changes as the night goes on. There's a reason the Greeks and Romans had gods of wine. "In wine, there is truth" is so resonant that I am considering getting it tattooed onto my leg.

In the old days we would discuss the grapes and the wine styles in great depth, but lately our scholarly pursuits have given way to "Mmm! That's good! So, the sandals and soccer pants Dennis is wearing remind me of a joke...". I find that I am losing more glassware to accidents now too.

Oh, we still keep a semi-chaotic wine tasting agenda, including the occasional PowerPoint presentation (you know who you are), but it's more loose, more about the interaction now. I like it. I think more people need to do this. In fact, I think Dionysus commands it.