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Vineal Culture: A Wine Lover's Cultural Guide

Dictionary definition:
vin-e-al -adjective
1. of or pertaining to grapes or grapevines.
2. of or pertaining to wine or winemaking.

Whether you're just beginning your journey into the wonderful world of wine, or whether you are a seasoned vineal vacationer, there are many facets to acknowledge, enjoy and appreciate along the way. Oenophiles the world over appreciate the subtleties and pleasures derived from what for them goes well beyond a hobby and indeed permeates their lives. Simply being able to pair a good bottle of wine to your selected menu - whether at home or at your favourite restaurant - is both a delight and a skill, but one which is always evolving as new wines and cuisines come to the fore.

Wine Pairing

Whether you are enjoying a nice meal at home or at your favorite restaurant, pairing your meal with a complementary wine can really help bring out the flavor and enjoyment in both the cuisine and the wine. The process of selecting the correct wine can be a bit daunting for beginners, but there are several guidelines to keep in mind during the process. The very first step is always to have a budget in mind. There is no point ordering the finest wine from the cellar if you're going to have to take out a second mortgage for it!

In most cases, a good restaurant or wine store will have a knowledgeable wine enthusiast on hand to help guide you to a set of possible selections to accompany the menu you have in mind. If you're cooking at home, have a reasonable idea of what your menu will be before you trek to the bottle shop so that you can give the store attendant as much information as possible. If you're out at a restaurant, ask the sommelier to give you some wine suggestions, and then perhaps try asking them what they themself would choose. Don't forget to ask the all-important "Why?". The more you ask, the more you learn. And remember, there's no absolute hard and fast rule; you will enjoy what you enjoy, whether it's a so-called "rule of thumb" or not.

The next step is to either know your own (and your guests'!) tastes and preferences, or to be prepared to experiment. If you know you don't like the heavy tanins in an aged Shiraz, there's no point ordering it, even if it comes highly recommended from a well-respected sommelier. Conversely, even if you've always enjoyed a smooth merlot with your steak, why not try something with more zing or body, just for a change?

The third step is to know your scene. If you're at a restaurant with just one other person, it's usually not feasible (or recommended!) to order a bottle of wine to match each course. Or if you do, make sure you're not driving home! If you're planning a meal for home, consider how many people will be consuming the wine, and whether they will need to drive home, or how long the meal will take, and purchase your wine accordingly.

So, in summary: know your budget, know your taste, and know your scene.

Vineyard Vacations

There are a number of options for vineal vacations, but we'll focus on one of our favorites, the California wine country. Located just a short drive from San Francisco, the vineyards of California make for a relaxing travel destination where you can learn quite a bit about wine. The most prominent destination is, of course, Napa Valley, where you can find a number of wineries in small towns ranging from Saint Helena to Calistoga and Rutherford. These towns are built around their world-famous wineries, including the Mondavi family vineyards as well as some of the world's finest Cabernet Sauvignon. Another destination to check out is the Sonoma Valley, which has unique 19th century architecture and an old town, friendly feel. While wine tasting and tours are a core part of visiting the Valley, you can also enjoy nature trails, water activities, farmers' markets, and, of course, luxurious nightlife with all of the great drinks you can imagine!

If you're thinking of travelling further afield, why not consider the delights of the many wine regions in France or Italy? Or even Australia! Some of the finest reds in the world today come from Down Under.

Wine Appreciation Courses

A perfect way to relax, unwind, bond with colleagues, friends or family is to take a short wine appreciation course. These courses range in length, time and price, so you're sure to find one to suit your budget, level of interest, time and lifestyle. Whether you and your partner choose to go to a one evening per week course at your local college, or whether you choose to go to an intense one-day course with your colleagues as a team-building day, you will undoubtedly come away feeling more enthused about all things vineal, and have at least one or two wine varieties in mind to sample next time you're buying wine.

Vineal Art

Adorning your home with wine-related art can help to enrich the look and feel of it. Some of the world's finest artists - ranging from the modern designs of Thomas Arvid to traditional prints from the early modern period - provide an elegant addition to any home or living space. Nearly every genre of art is represented in vineal art: some of our favorites include the work of Will Rafuse, whose prints provide an artistic interpretation of wine settings, to the abstract art of Plaisir de Nez, whose unique style will draw the attention of your guests and is sure to be a conversation starter. Additionally, many modern artists such as Pam Ingalls provide photo-realistic paintings of wine cellars and vineyards, which have intricate detailing work.

Best of all could be that magical photo you took yourself on your last vineyard vacation...!