If you settled in a wine growing area such as Sonoma, you might be walking a thin line between having an educated palate and becoming a sophisticated or sloppy drunk.
The character in Eric Spitznagel story on FRAY, illustrated by John Reddinger falls in the latter category.
Does not know his limits or when he passed them.
Here is an excerpt of Hobo Balls and other things that should not be compared to wine:
“This wine tastes like hobo balls,” I said, loud enough for the entire room to hear.
Even as the words left my mouth, I knew that it was a horrible,
horrible mistake. It’s not the sort of observation that a civilized
person should make, and certainly not while partaking in a posh wine
tasting. ¶ The other party guests just
stared at me, too stunned to respond. I smiled and tried to laugh it
off, saying something like, “Whoops, wrong crowd.” ¶
I hoped that my unfortunate remark would eventually be forgotten, but
the damage was done. I’d crossed a line and there was no turning back.
I had demonstrated, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I was a man unable
to hold his liquor."
In it current incarnation, FRAY is a magazine of good writing, published online and in print quarterly under the loving care of Derek Powazek.
I think it is part of what the Just Over 50 and Not Dead Yet crowd cares about.
I have seen my share of people behaving badly at the tail end of wine tastings.
Which proves that spitting is the right thing to do sometimes.
I do despise people who have a liquid meal and no money to tip.
Also on Wine and Bad Behavior: Do the Right Tip with a little Help from ‘Dinner with a Tightwad’