Wednesday, May 7, 2008

TT #8 Things I like about Wine



I'm sorry; I just had a hard time with this week's theme. I just couldn't think of something "gross" to write about. I looked at all angles, but I just couldn't get it. I know some of you will be very creative, and then I'll have one of those "why didn't I think of that" moments.

However, I finally remembered that I have at least 144 bottles of wine in my collection. Does that count? Then how about

Thirteen Things I like about Wine



  1. Vineyards. I have visited one or two in the past, and I will be tripping to Napa in August. That's where it all begins.

  2. Labels. I love wine labels. In fact, I am drawn to purchase sometimes because of the label--or the name. Vintners know that, do they? Some labels in my cellar---Running with Scissors; Sixteen Hands; Red Truck; Jest Red.

  3. Corks. I save them and recycle. I make place card holders and trivets.

  4. Color. I love the colors of wine, and isn't it interesting that some of our favorite colors are named for wine--burgundy and claret, and champagne.

  5. Boxes. I love the box a case of wine is packed in. I use them to transport wine glasses, and they are great for packing books.

  6. Stemware. I just refuse to drink wine from anything else. I have some great acrylic wine stems that I travel with, and I love to pull them out at a picnic, or on the boat, or at a casual party.

  7. Bottle bag. I have this great Reisenthel Bottle Bag. Made of canvas, it has nine compartments. I can put four of my acrylic stems in it, a couple of bottles of wine, a corkscrew, a bottle of water, and a bottle of aspirin (which reminds me not to have too much fun)---and I'm ready for the party!

  8. Atmosphere. There's something about wine that begs for atmosphere, and sometimes wine is the atmosphere. Don't you feel special with a stem of wine in your hand?

  9. Cheese. To the old saying from The Rubiyaiyat, "a loaf of bread, a flask of wine, a book of verse, and Thou", I would have to add a wedge of cheese. For me, it would be a boule of Tuscan bread, an English Stilton, a montepulciano d'abruzzo, and Emily Dickinson's verse.

  10. The buzz in the room. I love the sounds in the room an hour into the party when the wine has put a glow on those gathered.

  11. Corkscrews. Have you ever seen so many kinds? Often, the simplest ones are the best.

  12. Wine quotes. I love wine quotes. Some of my favorites, and shortest, are: In vino veritas (Pliny); Wine is bottled poetry (RL Stevenson); I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines (O Goldsmith); and It is well to remember that there are five reasons for drinking: the arrival of a friend; one's present or future thirst; the excellence of the wine; or any other reason (Latin saying).

  13. Thou. See #9. Wine is best enjoyed with others.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



23 comments:

Anonymous said...

I do that too! I buy wine because of the label! I keep toying with the idea of making some kind of collage or display of wine labels but I don't know how to get them off the bottles ion one piece.

That's very green of you, to re-use corks. I have noticed, though, that so many vineyards have given up using real cork and are using plastic imitation corks, much to the annoyance of Portugal, which supplies 90% of the world's cork.

Anonymous said...

sorry, I didn't get my link in properly.

SandyCarlson said...

With you on all of the above. Cheers!

Lori said...

Im more of a Tequila girl myself but man does my Mom love wine:) Happy TT.

Anonymous said...

I so understand #6. I started drinking more just so I could justify buying the Denby stemware.

Michelle said...

Nice list! What isn't to like about wine? (except, for maybe, red wine stains..)

Anonymous said...

I agree with it all especially # 13.

Thanks for stopping by.

pussreboots said...

Bring lots of water and sunscreen for your Napa trip. It will be hotter than blazes in August. Happy TT.

Tammy said...

Yes I have bought wine because of the label. Just don't tell my husband. I love the taste of wine. I never thought of all the stuff that goes with it. Happy TT

YellowRose said...

I do the same, I'll buy a bottle of wine just because of the name or the way the label looks!! Usually that's how I find a relaly delicious wine! :)

I collect the corks too, I have a big bottle in my kitchen I keep them in for decoration. But I like your ideas!!

Great TT!!

Juliana RW said...

great post of wine :D

Will you visit mine, gross theme Thanks

SJ Reidhead said...

I love the corks!

Oh, I have a pink cork-screw.

SJR
The Pink Flamingo
http://thepinkflamingo.blogharbor.com/blog

Hootin Anni said...

...and a thoughtful toast along with it all.

My 13 is a gross group of funny advertisements I made up for fun, and using this week's 'gross' theme for T-13. Hope you can stop by.

Unknown said...

Definitely a good twist on the theme, it was a difficult one for me too, so I have a rather boring TT up this week @ The Cafe.
I used to have a good start to wine collecting, but then we started savoring it. Need to start again. My son loves to collect the bottles.

Phyl said...

Awesome post...congrats on being a featured T13er:).

Amy The Black said...

Wine in cooking, too, is very nice. I sometimes like to challenge myself when choosing wine: I select the label to match the main course. My favorite: a mixture of Shiraz and Cabernet from Australia.

Anonymous said...

I never did acquire a taste for wine but do love the various colors it comes in. Congrats on being a featured TT!!

Becki said...

I've wanted to learn more about wine! I usually pick bottles based almost solely on the label! There are some cute ones :)

maryt/theteach said...

kay, excellent post about wine and enjoying ANY TIME! Yes indeed! My TT13 isn't about gross either. Thanks for participating in my what if meme... :D

Anonymous said...

I love wine labels these days. Some of them are quite simply works of art.

Happy TT!

Anonymous said...

It's a whole culture - a way of life.

Unluckily I'm a Carlo Rossi at the grocerystore type.

Melanie said...

Most excellent! We actually have a vineyard not far from my house.

siteseer said...

I'm definitely not an expert of wines and I like it occasionally. We actually have a few bottles in the cellar with Elvis labels lol. They probably taste like vinegar by now.