Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Flower days



Did you know that wine might taste better, depending on which day of the week it is?

or which hour of the day?

And I don't just mean that it tastes better on Friday night, because.....  its Friday night!
Or that it tastes better on holiday because.... you're on holiday!
Or that it will taste better on the days when your richer and more fussy friend is buying....

No, there is apparently increasingly widespread acceptance of the view that the taste of wine changes with the lunar calendar - that wine from the same bottle might taste considerably better on Tuesday than on Friday because of the way wine as an organic substance is affected by lunar and cosmic rhythms.
Or it might taste better at 8pm than at 4pm.

I learned this from my Saturday Guardian*, which enlightened me about the concept of "Fruit" and "Flower" days (best for wine-drinking) and "root" or "leaf" days (which are worst).

Some major retailers in the UK set their critics-tasting days according to this calendar.
They have "not shared [this] belief with customers for fear it will add yet more mystique to wine...  It may be a little step beyond what consumers can comprehend... We don't want to make it more complicated." (source: a Tesco's manager quoted in the article)

Well, personally I'm delighted to have the pleasure of wine enhanced by this extra complication and mystique.  I've seen one response, in a letter to the Guardian, suggesting that this is a belated April Fool's joke.

But I hope its true.

Cheers, and heres to the next fruit/flower day.




* Credit for this story to Robert Booth, "Tesco and supermarket rivals go for wine tasting by moonlight", The Guardian 18/04/09

16 comments:

R.L. Bourges said...

Frist of all the reflection on the table? beau-ti-ful.

Second of all, I can see how some wine snobs could turn this into yet another talking point to make other people look stupid. But it's a simple fact: unless the wine has been totally neutered with additives, it is alive and reacts to the environment. It can even taste different depending on the day you uncork it.

Like you, the more I learn about wine, the more I enjoy it. Think I'll even enjoy the book somebody is bound to throw out there on Your Wine Calendar - A Savvy Guide to Optimal Wine Savoring.

Santé! :-)

Dumdad said...

I think I believe that. I'm affected by changes in the lunar calendar, why not wine?

The Clever Pup said...

I can never get those kinds of reflections to come across on a photo.

I know beer taste better on some days too. Outside on a warm patio.

ArtSparker said...

Amazing photo. "Adding to the mystique of wine", dangers thereof, makes me think of its ceremonial use as a sacrament.

Akelamalu said...

I didn't know that! Next time my wine doesn't taste quite right I'll blame it on the moon! :)

Barbara said...

I try a glass most every day just to see if it's a good wine day. I feel compelled to finish it even if it isn't.

Lynne said...

I love catching reflections in or of wine glasses! Lovely photos. I'm not sure I buy into wine tasting better according to any kind of calendar, but it can taste different depending on the temperature it's served at. Even the kind of glass you drink it out of.

Whatever the reason, every day is a "good" wine day at my house!

Salute!

lettuce said...

thanks rlb - it was taken in the south of france, Dordogne. And yes, it makes perfect sense to me too

tell us about the changes DD. ;op

very true Clever Pup. in fact many things taste better on a warm patio I think.

ArtSparker your comments often make me think of a perspective I'd not considered. and i wonder if similar is true of bread?

Akelamalu yes indeed. and/or leave it for 8 hours and try it again!

Barbara you make me laugh. :-)

Lynne, every day, yes, Unless its a good beer day.

natural attrill said...

Love the photo, composition and relflection, like the colours as well.

I think I miss the subtlety of flavours due to the volume myself.
Penny.x

Squirrel said...

Love the snap and yes, for me wines have soul and respond (love RL's comment)

Megan said...

I hope it's true, too!

Steve Reed said...

LOL at Barbara's comment. That's about how I feel too. :)

Chick said...

Lovely photo!

mouse (aka kimy) said...

wow, what there is to learn!

thanks for the info.

great light and complexity in that pic!

mouse (aka kimy) said...

from article:
Tesco and its rival Marks & Spencer, which sell about a third of all wine drunk in Britain

go figure....

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