Meerlust Rubicon 2005

Page 159 of 365

I learn about wine every week, and it is a hobby I am enjoying. It really brings to reality, the experience of utility, that economists keep referring to. I don't want to use the term wine snob, but I have been the one shouting out loud to all who know me that "life is too short, to force yourself to drink a crappy bottle of wine". I guess my father in law left a mark in that aspect of 'living your life,  rather than saving the best for last'.

I do think that the downside of my love for good food, good wine and great company, leaves undue pressure when friends and acquaintances want to entertain my family and I. The great company, make the good food and wine explode from good to great!

I found my instincts amusing the other night. I went for dinner, at a friend's house, and it was one of those impromptu, invite myself type of dinners. I announced it in the morning, as like me, my friend likes structure and warning, not impromptu in the sense of random. Impromptu for us, means less planned, not NO PLAN! It was more about spending time together than the menu for me, but I knew that this would not make for a mediocre meal, given my friend has taste that is at times intimidating to me.

The joke of the night, looking at me and my reaction, was when she offered me Red wine, White wine or a bottle of Bubbly? It was cold, and much as I knew she would be going for the Bubbles, I wanted something a little bit more mellow, so the MCC option (I hate that we can't call it champagne) was tempting, but not what I wanted to drink for the night. "I'll go with the red wine," I said, and she came through with a bottle of the Meerlust Rubicon, 2005, from her collection.  I fumbled...

It's not that I have not had fine wine, of a vintage that is in the double digits. I am happy to store that and treat myself to that, but I don't know why for that split second, I wanted a different ocassion to be offered that treat. I wanted to also feel like she was giving that option to a group of her friends, rather than just me,  leaving me feeling like I am taking advantage. We walked back to see what else was available, as I tried to excuse myself, and asked if she had anything younger. As we were looking at the rest of the wines, sanity prevailed, and it made me question why I was denying myself this generous offer?

After all, she would not have offered me the wine, if she did not think I would appreciate it and that I was not worth the offer. I was very keen to get some of those flavours, to flow through my taste buds, so saying NO did not make sense for me either!

I am glad I changed my mind, and that I allowed myself to be spoilt. It was an experience that lived up to expectations, possibly exceeding them, even though I did not know what to expect. The good thing is, it has added the estate to a wine farm I will go back to, and certainly a wine to buy for my own collection. After all, I will have up to 20 years to store this baby and enjoy...

My experience with wine, just like a good wine, is getting better with age. My friendships... Let's just say I want them maturing in an even better sense, in that they must not plateau. With my friends, I want a relationship where the line is headed in an upward trend, with ups and downs allowed, but the new lows being at the level of the old highs at worst...