Literary Criticism

Good morning Antoinette, 

This week commemorates 2 stalwarts in English literature. Charles Dickens published "A Tale of Two Cities", and the Bard of Avon passed away 400 years ago.  Both were avowed men of the grape! Although Dickens' classic opening paragraph,  "it was the best of times,  it was the worst of times,...it was the epoch of belief,  it was the epoch of incredulity" may seem like political analysis of the current presidential primaries,  but was actually imploring the masses to take note of how seasons should affect the wines we drink. Continuing "...it was the season of light,  it was the season of dark."  (This is a literary metaphor for white wine and red wine,  look it up ;) Summer is coming, time to lighten up!

Of course Shakespeare, also sang the praises of wine.  Noting in Julius Cesar wines power as a peacemaker when Cassius said,  "give me a bowl of wine, in this I bury all unkindness." Unfortunately,  they chose tequila and everyone knows Brutus couldn't drink liquor without stabbing someone. So stock your shelves, stop the violence...move into the summer grapes.  Remember also to warn your patrons as did Othello,  "good wine is a good familiar creature,  if it be well used. "

And finally,  in honor of Shakespeare's most famous sonnet, 18, I give you my remix,  "what is life without vintage cabernet"

What is life without vintage cabernet?
Tis sure less lovely and less opulent:
Rough winds do shake the budding vines of May,
And summer's lease shall too shortly be spent:
Sometime too hot for vintages to shine,
And often the clouds and coolness dimm'd;
And per chance as not, grapes nectar decline,
By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd;
But for the select their worth shall not fade
Nor lose the beauty that Bacchus owest;
Nor shall intemperate summer cast shade,
And once in bottle eternal growest:
So long as men can breathe and senses taste,
So long lives this, must drink wine must make haste!

Happy hump day!

April 27, 2016

This week in history!

Good morning Antoinette , 

Looking for an excuse to drink wine this week? Look no farther than these two important historical events. Patriot Day and the Battle of San Jacinto.  The 1st marks the beginning of the Revolution when the British attempted to seize our wine stores and maybe a few weapons at Concord and Lexington.* It's also when a frustrated Paul Revere, returning home from a failed dinner party, reminded the people of Boston the first axiom of wine drinking,  "red if by land, white if by sea." 

The 2nd event is where Sam Houston defeated Santa Ana, gained Texan independence and set the path to Texas annexing the US ten years later**. The victory gave America its most famous drinking slogan and also established the fine Texas tradition of celebrating everything with a BBQ and Malbec...war, birthdays, potty training...so "REMEMBER THE ALAMOS !..and if you think of it,  fritos and bean dip!"

*The term minutemen was coined here after the sons of liberty became so adept at loading their musket,  uncorking a bottle of wine,  chugged it while waiting to see the whites of the British eyes,  taking aim and firing. Also might explain the typically low casualty rate suffered by the British.

**some uneducated nonTexans think it was the US that annexed Texas but that's just media bias. 

Celebrate our history and Bottoms Up!

April 20, 2016

Death and Taxes

Good morning Antoinette, 

It's said that the only sure things in life are slow death by taxes,  and the rejuvenating power of wine.  Don't let the tax man keep you down,  Rebel! Forget about occupying Wall St,  occupy Napa! If you want to get the man and keep more for yourself, drink wine.  It's taxed a third of the rate of liquor,  tastes better and adds 10-30 years to your lifespan.  Remember,  there's a reason Boston Harbor tastes like Earl Grey Tea and not Bordeaux (never waste the good stuff to make a point)...leading to America's greatest cultural contribution besides Elvis and the Kardashians...the end of high tea and the creation of Happy Hour. Our government was founded on this principle. ..life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!* Fight tyranny!  Save money! Drink more wine!  Remember,  a meal without wine is breakfast,  which is why we invented brunch!

*the wording was changed in the Declaration so as not to alienate the other hours and cause feelings of inadequacy!

Have a great day. 

April 15, 2016

Give pinot a chance

Good morning Antoinette 

Well March Madness is over,  America's pastime has begun,  and the Master's tees off tomorrow. If you can't think of a better reason to drink wine than that,  then consider that this week marks the 151st anniversary of the end of the Civil War.  And while it is the second most written about subject in the world,  none of those historical tomes on the causes pointed out that the entire calamity could have been avoided simply by popping a cork. Remember,  it is a scientific fact that beer and liquor cause fights (don't argue, it was on the Internet),  and wine inspires love.  Avoid civil war,  get your romance on and drink wine.  After all Virginia is for wine lovers. As the late John Lennon said,  "give pinot a chance!"

Chin chin,

April 7, 2016

April fools

Good morning Antoinette

With the 32nd day of March fast approaching,  and March Madness nearing it's end,  don't end up like Chaucer's vain rooster and get fooled by the fox into thinking people want anything other than wine. Avoid a fools errand, fortify yourself from the madness,  and as April forecasts showers to wet us on the outside,  our whistles must be wetted by wine on the inside...how else can your May flowers grow? Don't be an April fool,  drink wine!

And if you buy now,  you'll always get free wine... Tomorrow!   ;)

Have a great day. 

April 1, 2016