The Inviting Glass

I suppose after all it is a beverage meant to be drank, but hey..so is water, iced tea, and

soft drinks.

To me a glass of wine is so much more. It is the end result of the wine makers effort in collaboration with the vineyard. It is the final tweeking and minor adjustments made in the spring and summer. It is the fruition of an idea, and a passion. A glass of wine from a newly opened bottle is sort of like when the artist removes the blind from his finished painting for the world to see.

Yet, there we are just gulping it down like shots at a frat party and quickly re-filling our glass.

Im not sure why I people do this. Perhaps its the modus operandi of our social structure. Everything

is done so fast these days. Fast internet, fast travel, fast food.

I don't want to be nostalgic or boorish,but I sometimes long for a slower approach toward wine.

I have a friend who routinely decants most his (red) wines for 30 minutes or so every time he opens a new bottle. After decanting he pours about 2 ounces into a nice crystal glass and lets it stand for an additional 5 minutes. After this he will gently begin to swirl the wine in the glass. He will

hold it up to the light and peer through the multi dimensional red colors that shine through.

He will swirl again and then place the wine glass up to his nose and gently inhale the aromas and

nuances of the wine. Finally he will place the smallest amount on the tip of his tongue and move the

drops up and down inside his mouth keeping his eyes closed so not be distracted. It is almost like he is breathing the wine.

This isn't what I suggest doing every time with every glass,

but what it shows me is his inept and pure appreciation for the artist that made his wine. He is

like the art lover at the museum that stands and stares in front of a painting for long time. He is appreciating every brush stroke and choice of colors and how the painting makes him feel.

We really should consider a full glass of wine more like art. The winemaker has been through a full

vintage year of pampering and preparing this wine to finally unveil. The finished piece is now on your table with a plate of seared Tuscan lamb.

Just take a few minutes (or at least a few more seconds) and try to appreciate this work of art.

Hold the glass up to the light, breath in the many scents, and swirl, swirl, swirl.

Slow down a little and consider the experience at hand, enjoy what has been given to you like

a gift. A unique piece of art work that you can taste! This is the inviting glass.

Cheers!