Noble grapes are those used to make wine that retain their character wherever they are grown in the world. There are six (some say eighteen) and all, arguably, originate in France (another point of debate). They are Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Reisling. I know that many will say that Reisling is a German varietal, but Alsace has been French or German interchangeably depending on the victors at any given time in history. Of course, the premise in my opening statement raises a question about the importance of terroir, but that is another discussion entirely. 

Some of our greatest minds have this to say about wine:

“Wine brings to light the hidden secrets of the soul.” – Horace

“Wine is bottled poetry.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

“Wine is sunlight held together by water.” – Galileo

“Here with a Loaf of Bread beneath the Bough, A Flask of Wine, a Book of Verse – and Thou Beside me singing in the Wilderness – And Wilderness is Paradise enow.”  ― Omar Khayyám

“Wine is the most civilized thing in the world.” – Ernest Hemingway

The vintner characterizes his work with words such as chocolate,tobacco, leather, pepper, cherries, wet dog, barnyard, blackberry jam, and so on. What other thing upon the earth is described so? What other thing can evoke so many different thoughts and feelings?

I have attempted to capture my feelings about wine and the grapes that make it for a number of years in my work. Here, I present some of that emotion and passion for your pleasure. I cannot imagine a home where wine is loved without such pictures. As I write, I am sipping a glass of Zinfandel from Lodi, California. It is among my favorites and if I were a poet, I’d spin some rhymes in its honor. As things are, you’ll have to be satisfied with updates to this blog with more images related to “… bottled poetry.”

All of my pictures are available for purchase. Just click on the picture you like here in the blog! See more of my work in the Gallery: “The Noble Grape”