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The religion of wine 9-20-2023

Is wine a religion? Wait—I am not suggesting wine will replace my Catholicism—but we cannot ignore religious elements associated with wine.

This is not about wine’s long, historic, intimate relationship with the world’s major religions. I am referring to approach, rituals, and messianic fervor associated with wine and wine worshipers.

A recent study examined the connection between wine consumers and wines they consume. The research revealed wineries and wines can evoke evangelical responses among their disciples. The process begins with a conversion experience with the winery and the wine.

Visits to wineries often proceed like a religious ritual. First, there is the vineyard tour with reverential attention to the vines, the soil, terroir (an all-inclusive, semi-religious term). Then the ceremonial sequence of tasting—see, swirl, smell, sip, savor. The pietistic explanation of special glasses for each varietal. The worshipful backstory about the winemakers. The homage to the hallowed vineyard. The hagiography of the grapes, the winery, the winemaking family, and everything about wine in general.

Then there is the emotional response among sippers, whether at the winery or among friends-family. They share gushing exaltations of their experience with the wine. They vow to spread the word to others, creating in some cases “cult” wines driven by fervent adoration of the flavor, the magical nature of their undiscovered, inimitable wine find. They are passionately driven to eagerly share with others and convert them into acolytes for their venerated vino.

Finally, there are spontaneous conversions. For some, it is to a specific wine. For others, it is the  Saul on the road to Damascus moment when the bright light flashes and they embrace the “wine-foodie” or “wine aficionado” transfiguration experience. They find themselves born again into a world of wine appreciation, gastronomic joy, and culinary salvation.

Such can be wine, if you are a true believer.

Tasting notes

• Noble Vines Collection 337 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi 2019: Dense, jammy, smooth, rife with ripe dark fruit. Straightforward every-day drinker. $10-15 Link to my review

• Viña Peñalolén Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley 2019: Delivers well integrated velvety tannins, dark fruits with interest-creating tang. $18-22 Link to my review

• Herzog Wine Cellars Lineage Malbec, Clarksburg Vineyard 2020: Mevushal and kosher for Passover California malbec; smooth easy drinker. $18-22 Link to my review

• Hahn Family Wines SLH Pinot Noir 2021: Tasty, easily approachable Santa Lucia Highlands pinot. Soft, forgiving, engaging. $22-25 Link to my review

• Gamble Family Vineyards Paramount Red Wine, Napa Valley 2017: Rich, opulent melange of cab franc, cab, merlot, dash of petit verdot to lavish red-black wine deliciousness on your palate. $90-100 Link to my review

Last round

What do you call a sleep-walking nun? A roamin’ Catholic. Wine time.

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