Bibbing with Beppi

Today, I got my first week-end edition of the Globe and Mail.  Foolish I may be, but after I had fired the Globe when they endorsed Stephen Harper, I have now succumbed to the blandishment of a cut-rate two-month offer.  We'll see if their editorial position shows regret at past stupidity.

In any event, I note that the Globe shows an increased concern with Toronna's claim to world-classism.  The Globe Style section includes, along with many suggestions as to how readers can dispose of their income, a Wine & Spirits column by Beppi Crosariol. Well, I am dazzled.

After many words in a language I can scarcely understand, Beppi tells me that Beaujolais goes well with burgers - or at least he "sides with" Rajat Parr, the wine director of San Francisco's RN74 (wowee) in that choice.  I don't know whether Beppi is just worried about making a clumsy recommendation or if he is name dropping.

In rural Saskatchewan in the 1960s, I learned about wine - what we called "porch-climber." So, my tastes are simple: give me a Calona Red Dry in a gallon jug that I can drink over the crook of my arm.  That goes well with anything.

So, when Beppi describes one of his choices for the week (I guess), I am quite surprised.  "this cabernet -led red Bordeaux shows a supple texture and great purity of fruit, leaning toward black currant and cherry, along with chocolate, lively spice and a funky barnyard note."

Most of that makes no sense whatsoever to me.  My wine was made from grapes, not other fruit.  If we were offered dandelion wine, we knew what it was going in.  There was no sneaking other weeds into the jug.  As for chocolate and spices . . . well, drinking chocolate was mixed with milk in good old Vico, and spice was what my mom never used in her cooking.  "Supple" reminds me of the girls of my youth.

But that funky barnyard note?  Well Beppi, old son, you could maybe convince me about that other stuff in the bottle, but there is no way I am going to drink shit.

I wonder about Harper.  He surely serves it.