There's No Politics in Wine

With President Obama's remark about Trump Wines getting hype in the media, there's been a rush to judgement by newspapers, magazines and other on-line publications.  However, it seems that this has more to do with an individual's political preference, rather than the wine itself.  Just as Tom Hanks said in A League of Their Own, "There's no crying in baseball", I say "There's no politics in wine".

The polarizing effects of Obama's remark, "Has anybody bought that wine?  I want to know what it tastes like." has turned columnists into connoisseurs.  He continues, "I mean, come on.  You know that's like some $5.00 wine.  They slap a label on it.  They charge $50.00 and say it's the greatest wine ever." Well, opinions do vary. and that's exactly the point.

The fact of the matter is that there are many wines on the market that are directly owned or affiliated with famous individuals.  Francis Ford Coppola, Greg Norman and Fess Parker are a few examples.  Nancy Pelosi?  Yeah, even she owns vineyards.  

According to an article in The Washington Post, Erin Scala, sommelier and wine writer, refuses to include Trump Wines on her Wine Lists. Stating, "I work in the restaurant business in Charlottesville, Va., and though I'm a short distance from the winery and the restaurants where I work feature Virginia wines, I make a conscious decision not to carry the Trump Brand."  I wonder if there were a Cruz Cabernet or a Hillary Hilltop Reserve if they too would be excluded.

As a wine shop owner, I don't just have wines that I like on my shelves.  I make sure I cover as many categories and varieties available.  The choice then is now my customer's to make.  As I digress away from the wine world, election booths don't have just one name to choose from.  All the candidates are listed, and each person is given the opportunity to choose the person he or she likes.  That is what a Democracy is, and that is how wine should be made available to all.

I always tell my customers that there are only two answers when tasting a wine.  Those are, "I like it" or "I don't like it".  The choice is theirs based on their preference.  My job is to simply provide the choices.  One quick look at my shelves clearly exemplifies my point.

"And that's all I've got to say about that." - Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks again). " There's no politics in wine.  There's no POLITICS in wine."

Recipe for Hearty Irish Stew

2 cup diagonally sliced carrots
2 cup diagonally sliced parsnips
2 cup sliced onions
1.5 lbs small white potatoes,
each cut into quarters
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 lbs boneless lamb stew meat
1 1/2 cup beef broth
4 c. plus 3 Tbsp. cold water
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350° F. In heavy 6-quart Dutch oven, spread half of vegetables; season with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and half of thyme. Top with meat, then remaining vegetables. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and remaining thyme. Add broth and 4 cups water. Cover and cook in oven 2 1/2 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender.

Transfer meat and vegetables to bowl; cover and keep warm. In cup, blend flour with remaining water; stir into hot liquid in Dutch oven. Heat to boiling on top of range; boil 1 minute. Skim off fat. Return meat and vegetables to Dutch oven.

Enjoy with North Carolina's Own The Duck-Rabbit Milk Stout

Available at

Main Street Produce

100 East North Main Street

Littleton, North Carolina 27850

252-586-8468