The Simple Things

For the past little bit, we've been having simple wines, that is wines without pretense, under $15 or so, without "pedigree".  And they have been almost unbearably delicious and utterly surprising.

With all their goodness, they have also brought specks of introspection.  Take last night, for instance.  I was recently inventorying the cellar and discovered two bottles of 2005 beaujolais.  Nothing special about the producer; no big hype in the bottle or vintage; just 'blue collar' wine.  And....it was spectacular.  Not in a big showy way, just in the perfect way that a wine can bring the essence of the good moments of life to the fore.  The wine married with our simple eclectic meal of leftovers as if it was cast to be in service to the meal.  The fruit light and vibrant and happy to be at the table. And I wanted so badly for someone else to "get it", to see that what we held in our hands was the best that life can reasonably offer. But, alas, it was not to be and it leaves me sad but at the same time I have to say that I felt it and why isn't that enough?  Why do I feel that I need someone else to share in my joy for it to feel validated?  Is it not enough that I felt it?

I wanted to merge with this wine; I wanted to bathe in it and be one with its joyous, generous presence and maybe that's what I was hoping for with someone else.  When you feel something that intimately, does it necessitate sharing to be real?  I don't know but try as I might to be above it, I'm just left feeling lonely.  Looking around for someone to recognize this rare slice of life exposed, unplugged. Is there any possibility that the vintner knew how good this would be?  Could it be that someone could foresee this time, this place, this experience of unfettered joy?  God, I hope so.  I'd like to believe that this is not an accident but a divine plan to make my life soar and dip with each sip.  I would drink this wine everyday forever and never grow weary of its simple elegance.

Can you feel it?  Reminds me of a Don McLean song: do you remember who we are? can you still feel it?  Find me, please,  I will stream this wine on your soft skin and sip it, lick it, nuzzle it until we fall exhausted in reverie, bliss.  No questions asked; no critique; just simple joy.  Can this be so much to ask?

sigh.......