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