It's all about the Mead

I don't, as a rule, like alcohol. Period (see previous posting re: control issues). I am trying, for the sake of a very dear friend who is a wine connoisseur, to develop a taste for wine. The problem is that Red Wine tastes... icky. White tastes like I think Red should taste. Do you remember the first time you had coffee? It smelled all rich and sweet (especially if it was flavored) and tastes bitter and just... icky. That is how wine is for me, especially red; I think it should be rich and sweet and it is dry and somewhat bitter. I am developing a taste, or at least trying to. I like Gerwurstraminer and Reisling (even though I can pronounce neither)--both very sweet wines. I recently tried a Mondavi Cabernet (I think it was a Cabernet--Deanna, would you comment when you read this?) and liked it. It's a slow process. But, I am making progress.

What, you must be asking, does any of this have to do with Shakespeare? Well, I'm glad you asked. This past Saturday was our first annual "Birthday Bash for the Bard" (April 23, 2005 was Shakespeare's 441st Birthday). We performed some scenes, had a birthday cake, hors d'oeuvres, and offered wine tasting. I requested the company that provided the wine to offer mead, if they could. They did! (http://www.fullcirclebrewing.com/) I LIKE Mead. :)

Oh, yeah. The party was great too. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. The food was good (Whole Foods donated it, http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/), the cake was Great. Since I was sort of the liaison between the "party" and the "actors" I only got to have one glass, and barely finished that, but it was pomegranate Mead. SO good! People weren't running away, they seemed genuinely regretful when they had to leave early, disappointed at what they missed when they arrived late. The weather predicted rain (we planned to be outdoors, on the lake, Jim and Gayle Philips have a gorgeous home) but the weather was perfect, turning chilly about 7:30 and encouraging those who lingered to be on their way (the party was from 5-7). All in all a wonderful night. Wish you could have been there!