Liquid Love Letter: Wine on a Boat

Cathy

Confession: When Matthew suggested “wine on a boat” as this week’s theme, my heart sank a little bit.

Not because I didn’t have any thoughts on it, but because drinking wine on a boat is so *distracting.* From the wine, that is.

Let me explain.

First, it’s fair to say that “limited” best describes my wine-on-a-boat experience. Limited, I should say, but adventurous. Learning about Chilean wine, for example, while on a four-day sail around the glaciers and fjords of that country’s coastline. Cruising up Portugal’s Duoro river on a small machine-powered boat (very highly recommended). Closer to home, a cruise for a few hours around Manhattan with a winemaker from Sonoma.

Here’s the point: Those were all incredible experiences. But do I remember very much about the wines I drank while on the water? The short answer is no, and I am sorry-not-sorry about it.

Sorry because of course the hosts were careful to choose wines that spoke to the surroundings.

Not sorry, though, because the surroundings stole the show. The wines took a far second place, as I have to believe the hosts were well aware that they would.

Ironically, that is what I hope happens for you at some point during this summer holiday weekend. That you are close to water, and that the experience of the water (be it river, lake or ocean) steals the show.

For my money, there are few better ways to spend a holiday. Except if there’s a glass of something joyful in your hand.

Matthew

I feel most myself when I'm on a boat.

I grew up going to lakes with my childhood best friend and his family. We'd hit Shaver Lake, Lake Nacimiento, the Colorado River, and Lake Havasu for wake boarding and general lake time. I loved every second of it.

Now being almost 2 decades into my wine career, there's nothing more fun for me than when I get to be on a boat during a wine experience.

It's happened in Australia, South Africa, Uruguay, Austria, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Hong Kong, New York, California, Oregon. I don't care where I am, I want to be on a boat.

The wind in your hair, the salty air has a certain taste and smell. It cannot be beaten in my opinion.

To Cathy's point, wine isn't the focus anymore. And I am okay with that. We take wine too seriously at times. We have to get back to just simply ENJOYING the fermented grape juice in our glasses and not overthinking.

Does it enhance the moment?

Will it help me remember this experience forever?

Would I be happier without the glass of wine?

If you haven't had the good fortune to drink wine on a boat, I highly suggest you find a way to make it happen. Zoom out. Remember the moment. Be grateful for the opportunity.

In the last month I got to take a wine cruise around the East River and to the Statue of Liberty with Sicilia DOC , as well as two amazing experiences on the Douro River with Sogrape . My cup is full for months now because of these mindblowing experiences in different countries on different bodies of water. You see the land differently from the water. You taste the air differently. The wine just hits different. You'll see.