In the vast tapestry of human history, certain figures and events have left an indelible mark on our traditions and celebrations. One such figure is Julius Caesar, whose influence extends beyond conquests to the very fabric of timekeeping. Before Caesar's calendar reforms, the pagans celebrated the vernal equinox, marking the transition from winter to spring with joyous festivities and spirited libations. The addition of January, named after the two-faced god Janus, by Caesar, brought about a synchronization of winter solstice celebrations, alcoholic revelry, and the commencement of a new year.
With the holidays just around the corner, literally, are you ready with dinner party wines? Do you still need a unique gift for that wine lover, and want something with some character? Do you struggle with the imminent small talk that accompanies holiday gatherings? To help, here are some wines to consider, and a little conversation to go with them. There are wines that not only inspire sonnets on what is going on in the glass, and then there are those that encourage more in-depth conversations on the history and the story of the how, and who, of that wine.
Last year, the 700 block of Caroline decided to collaborate with each other during the Christmas holiday season. As a way of promoting each other, Chris Allen, of Duly Noted, suggested a cookie crawl where customers would purchase a tin and then collect their cookies along the path of participating businesses. Having sold out of tickets, Chris decided to take this idea to a much bigger platform. Chris is also the Executive Director of Mainstreet, which is a national nonprofit organization that focuses on the economic improvements of historical downtowns.
Are you a label reader? Do you like knowing exactly what you are feeding your body, or would you rather not know about the xantham gum, potassium citrate, or acesulfame potassium and the other stuff impossible to pronounce or relate to. Maybe you are somewhere in the middle; want to know some of the things but would rather not know EVERYTHING. As a part of the campaign to battle cancer, the EU has been pushing for more labeling on all food and beverage labels, and that will soon include wine.
Just after opening City Vino, we were approached by Lt. Blender to sell these cocktails, or winetails, in a bag. Fun MRE size bag that you pop a bottle of wine into, and water, then freeze to make a wine slushy. There are all sorts of flavors for both summer fun and winter fun. Lieutenant McMorris was a U.S. paratrooper who had an assignment in the Caribbean Islands. The story goes that he was invited to all the parties because he had the blender and would concoct tasty fun things for all kinds of social events. When he got home to Galveston, Texas he bought a run-down ice cream factory, and started making and distributing the bags you see in the store.
