We are a month away from St. Valentine’s day – red wine, red roses, red hearts and maybe red faces. A time of love and romance, if your intimate life has not been cursed by failing to look someone in the eye while toasting (see yesterday’s post if you are worried!). However, here in Bulgaria the day has another meaning – it is the day they celebrate St.Trifon Zarezan, also known as Trifon the Pruner.
Practices associated with this very important day for viticulturists vary in different villages and parts of the country. Traditionally special bread was made and the men of the village were sent ceremoniously to the vineyards to begin pruning the vines. This is the practice that is universally undertaken, the whole purpose of the day. It marks the end of winter and the coming of spring. It is about maximising the grape harvest, invoking the gods to smile kindly on the vineyards. The men would turn to the sun and make the sign of the cross three times, they would wear special garments and head decorations, they would pour wine and holy water into the ground to feed the roots – and also use the ashes from their Christmas eve fires. The day would end with singing, dancing and of course the drinking of wine! Thus in some ways it dovetails nicely with the St. Valentine celebrations, and Bulgarians now mostly observe both.
The origins of the celebrations go back to the ancient Greeks and their worship of Dionysus, the god of wine drinking and wine making. But he didn’t stop there – he was also the god of insanity, ecstasy and fertility, so again, quite an appropriate mix. Like many festivals, the celebration of St Trifon has become a blend of pagan and Christian practices. And speaking of Christianity, in some parts of Italy it is bad form to pour wine with your left hand because that is what Judas did at The Last Supper. Just another little side dish for you (the info, not the supper).
I am not really a wine expert, but it is clearly a topic I have shown some interest in – and not a little participation in – over the years. I have a preference for New World Wines (Australia, South Africa, the Americas) which tend to be a bit firmer in body with a higher alcohol content – what a surprise! – thasn Old World wines. The hotter weather ripens the grapes more intensely than in Europe, leading to a higher alcohol content after fermentation. However, it is likely that the differences are narrowing – climate change is leading to hotter summers in European wine growing regions, and some New World producers are developing vineyards at higher altitudes to create different tastes in their wines – e.g., more acidity.
Many years ago I attended wine tasting classes in Morningside, a posh part of Edinburgh where it was said people had pianos in their front windows but no knickers. The classes began very sedately, everyone taking copious notes as the various wines were passed around, nibbling bits of cheese to cleanse the palate, all very serious. However, by the end of the evening it did get a bit raucous – loud voices, laughter, a little slide down the decorum scale, but never any violence! And everyone needs a little go on that decorum slide….
Alcohol Trivia Quiz
Yesterday’s answers:
1. It is Latin for “In wine there is truth”.
2. The Red Lion, The Crown, and The Royal Oak = top 3 pub names in the UK.
3. The quote was by Henry Youngman, a US comedian.
Today’s questions:
1. With what regional wine d oyou associate the grape Sangiovese?
2. Who said “I cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it ti the food”?
3. Why do wine bottles have an indentation in the base?
Thank you for sticking with me during this month of abstinence. If you are doing the same, then I hope it is going well and you are beginning to feel the benefits. Until tomorrow, keep safe and well.
Understand Yourself Better 