Special to the HT
MEEKER | Ahhh, the wine business. Not an easy one. Wine is a vast topic and can be incredibly complicated. Getting into wine knowledge is not for the faint of heart, but I think that you can say that with any number of hobbies. There is so much out there, for each and every one of us that when you find something you are passionate about, you should celebrate that.
Being in this crazy, wonderful, intense, challenging, complex business I am often asked: “What got you interested in wine?” The answer to that, for me, is very simple. It’s a grape called Pinotage.
Back in late 2007, I attended a wine dinner at a seafood restaurant in Denver. At this dinner, a wine was served that I can only describe as tasting like a Harley jacket smells. You know when you walk into a Harley (or other) heavy leather shop? You know how that leather smells? The smokiness, the musk-like aroma, the woodsiness, the resin, the animalistic earthiness (I don’t really know of a better way to say that…), but yes. This is what this wine TASTED like.
I was immediately fascinated. And thus, my true interest in wine was born and I began studies. Now, here in Meeker, almost 20 years later, I am thrilled to be a part of the wine business, where I get to express my love of the topic, with all of you. Catch you in the next article, or even better, come see me in store and we’ll talk.
Fun food facts on Pinotage (with help from winefolly.com):
• Pinotage is a hybrid grape between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, created in 1925
• It is the flagship grape of South Africa — and every year on the second Saturday of October, they celebrate International Pinotage Day.
• Pinotage was almost lost to history; just four original seedlings were produced, and they were almost thrown out before a professor rescued them.
• Despite coming from two grapes known for light color and low tannins, Pinotage yields wines that are deeply colored and rich in tannins (plants are mysterious, amazing entities.)
By ALEXIS HULL-STONE
Alexis Hull-Stone is the co-owner of Off the Olive Branch, a specialty grocery, and On the Grapevine, offering quality wine, beer, spirits, mixers, and non-alcoholic options, at 317 E. Market St.