One Nation, Under Grog

They say that politics and religion are taboo topics at the dinner table, but add some VINO to that table and both are fair game. You see, wine has a long-running relationship with both touchy subjects. Religion is what saved the wine industry from complete extinction during Prohibition, as "sacramental" wine was the only legal way to continue making the blessed grape juice (and consequently, converting nearly the entire population to Catholicism). We like to think that Jesus drank wine as he bonded with the boys, and just about every good Christian I know is happy to follow in his footsteps, for the sake of good old fashioned "fellowship."

And then there's politics. Or, politicians, rather, who have set a standard of wine consumption as an urbane, intelligent and patriotic activity since the early days of the White House. One of the pioneers of wine worship was Thomas Jefferson, whose first order of White House business was to convert the laundry room into a wine cellar, filling it with thousands of dollars worth of wines from around the globe. A high priority, indeed, as Jefferson wooed many an international dignitary with his collection of French and Italian vinos.

Then there was the epically-glamorous Kennedy era, when French Bordeaux was the order of the day. Perhaps this helped shift the mindset of the "cocktail generation", as Jackie and John sauced it up with their fancy imports. When Lyndon B. Johnson moved into the White House, wine consumption turned ethnocentric, as LBJ banned all international wines from being served at official functions -- thankfully American citizens weren't required to abide by the same rule (not that I don't love my local vinos, but life without Argentine Malbec or German Reisling just isn't worth living). Even the conservative Carters, who banned hard alcohol service in the White House let wine stay on the drink menu. I can't imagine who would have ever come to dinner if they hadn't...

And, alas, the dawning of a new White House wining & dining age...the Obama era. For months, we've watched, listened, and obsessed over the Obamas' every move, paying closest attention to the crucial details like -- what is she wearing? where are they eating? and most importantly, what are they sipping on? Hot topic!

Just as Sex and the City popularized the pretty pink cosmo, the equally witty, successful, and poised Michelle Obama has, perhaps unknowingly, advised the savvy American woman to stock up on Graham Beck Brut (South Africa). After a sommelier in Chicago suggested the GB Brut to the Obamas in 2008, they ordered 6 cases to have on hand for Nov. 4th... assuming they'd have reason to toast.

Coincidentally, the Graham Beck Brut is a lot like Mr. President himself: Refreshing. Elegant. Gentle, yet powerful. And, what do you know...they're both from Africa.

So, my fellow Americans, as if we didn't already love bubbly, it's time to follow our new leader and get some Beck!

Real Men Drink Pink

Wine bars are breeding grounds for sociological observations. One easy way to pass the time is to judge people by their vino color choices, which is not as cut and dry as it seems. Some may assume that WHITE drinkers are lightweights, RED drinkers are a bit more sturdy, perhaps a little carnivorous, and PINK drinkers are on the fruity side. But, you'd be wrong there. If I've learned anything after a year of pouring wine to both truck drivers and metrosexuals alike, it's that pink drinkers are far from fruity. Quite the opposite, in fact. You'd be shocked to see the kinds of big, hairy, masculine hands that grip the glass of a fine rose...


According to the VINO VULTURE's thorough assesment of male drinking habits, I must conclude that men who drink pink are gushing with confidence, sophistication, and intrigue. Time after time, this theory never fails. Think about it...pink wines are anything but wimpy, yet the narrow-minded, image-concious, and therefore unsophisticated drinker would not know this enlightening fact. Only a REAL MAN - one who could swallow a few ounces of his testosterone-drenched pride for half a second - could allow himself to venture into the pink realm and discover that pink wines (rose/rosato) are some of the most interesting, complex and addictive vinos out there. And they usually know that pinks don't taste like fruit punch because they are made from the very same stuff that the big reds are made of (sangiovese, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, malbec...), they're just not tormented by tannins for as long. So essentially, you get a more delicate, less aggressive version of your favorite reds, in a pretty pink glass that chicks really dig. Start with these:

Zepaltas Rose of Pinot Noir
Robert Oatley Rose of Sangiovese
Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs

So, the next time you're scoping out the scene at your local wine bar, it's not a bad idea to see the world through rose colored glasses, if you catch my drift.