Wine with your dinner: competing perspectives

I am not a big drinker. I am not a real fan of wine, either. That may be a preference of my taste buds, but I tend to think it is more a byproduct of my ignorance. I don't know the first things about wine. Thus, it is hard for me to relate to the mindset that values the perfect wine with each and every meal. Many of my friends, on the other hand, really appreciate a good wine/dinner match.

I don't hear Rachael Ray mention wine pairings that much. Occasionally, but not often. Rachael is a populist chef, a cook "of the people" and part of me imagines that although she knows a bit about the subject (how could she not, considering her surroundings and chosen profession?), she intentionally tries to distance herself from the perception of snobbishness so often attached to wine.

That's too bad, perhaps. Someone like Rachael Ray could really popularize making wine and dinner matches, don't you think?

Of course, even if she could, people would line up on both sides of the issue. Wine has long been a matter of some controversy. Even before the temperance movement made its historical mark in the U.S. it was an issue of contention.

I was looking at a suberb online quotation source and found a few quotations about wine that I saved for this post. I am a big fan of illustrating my points with the words and wisdom of others and I think these two comments, which I found at http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/quotable-quotes.html are a perfect example of the ability quotation's have of adding some historical depth and a bit of cleverness to one's thoughts. Quotations are also great for inspiration, but that is another topic altogether.

“A character is tested through business, wine, and conversation.” Abot de R. Nathan

Obviously, Nathan was a wine advocate. Interesting that he included wine in his comments but not food, isn't it?

“Bacchus has drowned more men than Neptune.” Thomas Fuller

Fuller clearly took a contrary position. The evils of alcohol (real or perceived) are one reason why many don't learn about wine. They would prefer to remain "dry."





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