A Night Without Vino
I know, it’s crazy talk, but it happens every now and again.
My business often requires me to do the obligatory client dinner and/or ‘drinks’ during the week. It’s pretty standard fare actually. And 9 times out of 10, I peruse the wine list and order a glass.
There are a few exceptions; Dodger games for example. I think they actually sell a by-the-glass red and white wine at the concession stands at Dodger stadium, but nothing to write home about. And to be honest, when you’re sitting in the stands eating a Dodger dog, there’s really only one beverage that’s appropriate.
I couldn’t believe my ears. I went through several emotional stages… I was angry, hurt, sad. I thought about running for the door and never coming back. I thought about moving to Mexico (I’m not sure what good that would have done, but the thought entered my mind). Finally, I had to accept. I simply had no choice. I reluctantly ordered a mixed drink, the old favorite in my pre-wine days, ‘crown and soda’.
Crown Royal is a Canadian blended whisky- mixed with some soda water over rocks, it’s a refreshing little cocktail. But it’s been years since I’ve regularly enjoyed a ‘crown and soda’.
And I didn’t really enjoy it last night either. I gave my glass a swirl… no aromas, just the clinking of ice cubes. I brought the glass to my nose, the bubbles tickled my nose… I took a sip…. Yep, tasted like crown and soda. No tannins. No structure. No complexity. No fun.
It’s amazing how a few years of wine has made me such a creature of habit. Anytime I go to a dinner or ‘drinks’, I look forward to going through the wine list and picking out wine for myself and anyone else in the party that wants a glass. I cross my fingers and hope that I’ll perhaps discover a new wine, and discuss the wine with the people I’m with.
With a mixed drink in front of me, none of the above is on the agenda.
Needless to say, I did not order a second cocktail. I had ice water, and I chewed on my ice cubes, which you can not do with a glass of wine…
