The Most Recent Best Moment of Your Life
Some time ago, and I can’t quite recall when, I posted about the pleasure of finding just the right place to drink wine. I’m sure I stated unequivocally that the best place to do so was in laying in my hammock, in my back yard, with a glass of Rose on a warm summer evening.
It turns out there is a contender for the crown.
In the middle of Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe, on a warm summer day with good friends.
This weekend I did some boating up on Lake Tahoe with my good friend Jeff Mayo of Mayo Family Winery, his lovely girlfriend Laura, Sarah Donnelly of William Selyem and of course with my beautiful bride Ginny. We were drinking an 05 Donnhoff Riesling while drifting in Jeff’s vintage craft. We got in the bay when it turned out few people were around. It was quiet. We were full from a nice lunch of Kobe Beef Burgers with Rose and Sancerre.
There was a strange moment as we drifted in the water and stared up at the emerald island in the bay, listened to the calm of the water and felt the sun and took in the towering mountains that surrounded us. Out of no where Jeff declared, "I don’t think I’ve ever drunk a better wine in my life!"
Now, I know Jeff has had better wine. I’ve served them to him. But with his remark what he got was an immediate acknowledgment from everyone in the boat.
It was not only the best wine Jeff had ever had in his life, but it was the best wine I and everyone else had ever had in their lives. There was quiet agreement among us. But of course the agreement had nothing to do with the the quality of the wine.
The best wine you’ve ever had in your life must surely be the wine you’re drinking during the most recent best moment in your life.
We had a Plumpjack 2000 Cab a few weeks back with good friends on an island on Lake George in NY. Great Friends, Great place, great wine. I know the feeling.
As a matter of fact, just yesterday evening I had dinner at my all-time favorite place to have a glass of wine, the patio at Big Sur Bakery. Fantastic setting, wonderful, out-of-this-world food: I’ve made day trips there just for their homemade jelly donuts.
http://www.bigsurbakery.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/honeywoney/1111034952/
Amen, brother! Let’s hear it for the strange and wonderful moments that transcend the ordinary. I must admit, though: adding endorphins to the mix enhances everything. Truth!
There’s no doubt that the environment contributes to the experience of drinking wine. Trying skiing in Haute-Savoie and drinking a Mondeuse whilst enjoying a French lunch on the sunny slopes – it tastes gorgeous.
Try talking a bottle home to rainy Leeds and opening it in your dining room – not so impressive…
Percieved wine quality does have alot to do with time and place. Relax and enjoy yourself and you’ll like most every wine!
Kathleen
Albany, NY
Well said and ever so true