White wine conjures an image as well, but this one is from my own personal experience and not from the world of celluloid. About ten years ago, I innocently asked a bartender what kind of white wine he carried as I seated myself at a stool and awaited the arrival of a girlfriend. He looked at me with the blankest expression on his face and replied: "white." Maybe he needed to spend some time in the vineyards with Lucille Ball to set him straight. Someone certainly needed to tell him that white wine grapes are plentiful and include Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.
The Chardonnay makes the world’s most popular, medium to full-bodied dry white, which complements seafood and poultry dishes. The Chenin Blanc make a relatively light, fruity flavor with melon, apple and peachy aromas and flavors. It used to be more popular than it is today, but is still a nice wine by itself or with salads and sandwiches. The Pinot Grigio produces crisp, dry wines with strong acid flavor. The Riesling produces a light-bodied German wine with aromas of honey-suckle, apple and peaches. Rieslings range from slightly to very sweet and can be either table or dessert wines. Drier versions go well with chicken, pork and spicy dishes. The Sauvignon Blanc is generally lighter than Chardonnay, with melon and citrus aromas and an herbal character. It is a versatile wine for fish, chicken, pasta and salad.
These are but a few examples of what both the red and white Vitis vinifero grape has to offer to the drinking world. Bacchus would have tried them all, no doubt, as his palette was probably very advanced for a Greek God. But a word of caution to all of you would be Bacchii out there. Just remember there were no automobiles in the days of the Greek gods. (Chariots were another matter and most of those had wings. Don’t forget that!) Enjoy the wine grape, but never forget where you are and whether or not you have to drive home. Wine is still alcohol, even if it goes down easier than a martini or two. (A few of those and I would probably be under the table in search of either my keys or another Greek God.) All things in moderation. I don’t think Bacchus said that. It was more than likely Benjamin Franklin, or someone of that ilk. I would listen to whoever managed to live longer. If you don’t know, then take a guess and have a drink on him, whoever he is. In Vino Veritas, forever and ever!
Did you know . . .
"Our lives are not in the lap of the gods, but in the lap of our cooks."