In Vino Veritas
July 7, 2007
“Wine is a constant proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
- Benjamin Franklin
Getting off the stifling bus among many other stiff and agitated classmates, I remember taking a deep breath and sighing from the smells that are still ingrained in my memory after all of these years. Lavender, dust, the faint sourness of wine, and the fresh air of the southern part of France stirred relaxation, well-being, and a faint sense of timelessness inside my heart that still effects me with fond memories 8 years later. Reminiscence of a dusty courtyard with an old fashioned wheel from some forgotten carriage, lavender plants, and a young wine connoisseur patiently awaiting our group are the memories I have of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the famous wine town in the south of France in Provence.Thinking back on that time, I laugh at the follies of my classmates. While the teachers - as adults - had a deep appreciation of the subtle tastes, smells, and nuances of the fine liquor, we children had only one thought in our minds. ‘Yes, we are so grown-up to be able to drink like adults!’ In my defense, I only had a sip of each wine we were able to imbibe, then passed off the sour, strong smelling drink to my other appreciative classmates (At this day and age, I still cannot find an inkling of pleasure smelling or sipping wine.) Of course - being children - many were hiding their grimaces behind the rims of the wine glasses, boasting falsely about how many glasses of alcohol they’ve been allowed to have before this tour.
But even though the tasting part of the tour was not appreciated as much as it should have been, everything else stuck in my memory as sensational. The dim cellar filled with rows and rows of glittering bottles; the sharp, acidic smell of the wine; the soft, melodic voice of the connoisseur as he explained the importance of smell, taste, and sight; the whispered murmurings of the crowd as their listened raptly to our French translator; and the chill of the room to keep the wine at the perfect temperature.
Even when 8 long years have passed since that memorable trip, it had such an impact on my mind that I can still feel the cool stem of the delicate glass between my fingers and the dim light flickering in the depths of the fragrant liquor as we learned how to check for the age and delicacies of wine using scent, taste, and sight.
If you have a longing for a quiet, relaxing trip, filled with enough sophistication and learning to fulfill that subtle need for an experience that you will never forget, Chateauneuf-du-Pape is just what you need. Sit back with a bottle of red wine; smell the lavender in the air; hear the wind through the trees and the cadence of the French language; and watch the clouds rolls across the blue sky. Indulge in this peaceful countryside town and when you feel ashamed of leaving your responsibilities at your home, smile and believe in the words, “Les voyages forment la jeunesse.”
Travel broadens the mind.
Tip your wine glass in a toast. In vino veritas. In wine is truth.
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