WINE AS CULTURE
By 2009-3-9 9:19:52
Wine is usually drunk during meals because it complements the taste of what we eat. It is an essential element of the Mediterranean diet, but to Italians wine has always been more than a mere beverage or nutrient. Good wine satisfies the senses with its color and texture, its aromas and flavors, those unique features sometimes referred to as aesthetic or artistic qualities.
| Wine also plays a role in social life, since it is habitually consumed in the company of others. When shared around a table, it relaxes us and creates a sense of well-being while inspiring thought and conversation.
Its appeal to the senses, combined with the way it inspires the human spirit, have elevated it to noble status. Wine has been an element of civilization for ages in Italy and other European countries, one of the most sacred symbols in the Roman Catholic religion, a daily staple for dynasties of kings as well as generations of peasants... Italians are very proud of their wines heritage, but nobody should feel intimidated by history and tradition. As the following pages will show you, wine understanding and evaluation can be a complex art, but the final judge is always you! |
From italianmade.com