The Whole Story: Honk If You're Weepy For Climate Change
Talking Chambourcin, reading Detroit to the West Bank, and bracing for climate grief.
The Whole Story
A monthly roundup of perspectives and realities your formal wine studies might not cover.
Making Fine Wine in Palestine, Despite It All
This is the first piece I’ve seen on Palestinian wine since October 7th and it focuses on a winemaker who was able to harvest grapes from his 110-year-old vines that grow up against the Israeli border wall on the West Bank. He’s not able to get to them at this moment.
Researchers discover the world's oldest wine in Rome
A 2,000-year-old urn of wine has been discovered in a Roman mausoleum in Spain. Chemical analysis determined that the reddish liquid was, indeed, wine—experts think it was made from a white variety. The liquid is undrinkable if not for the fact that it’s surely passed its window of goodness, then for the human remains found steeping in it.
Winery startup aims to establish Detroit-grown grapes
These guys are growing Pinot Noir vines within Detroit city limits, and they have big plans for their urban winery & vineyard, Drew Ryan Wines. Pretty cool.
And some important climate news: world’s top climate scientists expect global heating to blast past 1.5C target. Sarah Wilson recently wrote about asking climate scientists how they’re dealing with the loss of hope, and one responded that they’ve stopped attending social events because it’s become too emotionally challenging to talk about the subject. This reality check is going to continue to shock us and I think the grief is going to get big and strange.
And that’s why we have wine.
Wine 2 Ways
Do you talk about wine for your job? Then you’re a wine communicator, my dear! Each month, I’m demonstrating the world of possibility for you. One wine bottle written two ways—feel free to land anywhere in the middle.
Technical
Color: ruby - garnet
Nose: ripe raspberry & strawberry, cinnamon, wood chips, earthy
Palate: high acid, low/soft tannins, medium-bodied, dry. Flavors of tart cherry & lemon, tomato, soil
Personal
Have some fruit then kiss a tree–carry on Molly Shannon’s legacy. Indulgent in a rom-com kind of way. Like: wouldn’t it be nice if life were that perfect? Ahhhhh. As its drinker, you identify with the quirky protagonist who, about a quarter of the way through, is finally seen for the goddess they are. Beaujolais lovers, eat your heart out.
Homework Assignment: Make A Playlist
A suggested exercise for you to build a personal relationship with the topic of wine.
Music is universal, and the language we use to describe it can help us understand how to talk about wine in both abstract and technical ways.
This month: Go sit at a wine bar and treat yourself to a glass. As you sip, create a playlist of at least 5 songs you would pair it with. Jot them down, then review your list and write a few sentences describing the mood, themes, or narrative arch of your list and why it fits with the wine you’re drinking.
Bonus points if you challenge other people at the bar to do the same.
Comment below with your playlist, what wine you chose, and what friends you made!