Liquid Love Letter: Say My Name

Cathy

It started with Dave the Bagel Guy.

Dave the Bagel Guy ran the mobile breakfast cart on 43rd Street and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, which was along my daily route when I lived there many years ago. I’d stop regularly for a cinnamon raisin bagel with plain cream cheese — still my favorite bagel / schmear combo — and it was always the same person I’d greet, order from, and pay.

Dave, he said his name was. Except it seemed highly improbable that this particular man’s name was actually “Dave.” But he said it was, or at least that’s what he wanted me to use, so that’s what I used. One day, after thanking him again by name, something compelled me to ask him (sassily, I admit) if his name was really Dave.

Maybe-Dave shrugged.

“What did your mother name you?” I persisted.

That’s when he smiled. He told me his real name, which was decidedly Not-Dave, and over time we pulled back the curtains a little at a time on both of our “real” stories.

This experience was decades ago, but it established a curiosity and a desire to know something real about the people who grow and create and facilitate the food and drinks that find their way to my table and into my body.

Especially the wine.

Not-Dave was not a drinker but he has been on my mind these past few weeks, as the summer travel season is here and some of us are lucky enough to list “winery” and “wine country” as destinations.

The most important part of those trips, arguably, are the chances to learn people’s names within the context of wine. Why are the names-in-context so important? Because they make the experience sticky, and memorable. Also, hopefully, enjoyable! Which edges us each closer to being enthusiastic wine lovers.

Look for the names. Sure, you might get lucky and meet a winemaker or a grape grower when you’re out and about. Also keep an eye on name tags as an opportunity to start a conversation with other people you’ll come across, like the person pouring the wine in the tasting room or the person in a restaurant who gushes over a by-the-glass wine recommendation.

The point is that you’ll have a visual. You’ll also have a person-al memory associated with a drink of wine within the context of wine.

Matthew

Do you know the name of the dishwasher at your favorite restaurant?

Are you on a first name basis with your barista who makes your latte 5 mornings a week?

Similarly, do you know the name of the person who cleans the barrels in your favorite winery?

Or the person who picks the grapes?

Or the trucker who delivers the wine from its warehouse to the point of sale, such as a wine bar, wine store, or restaurant?

Everyone plays an important role in the economy of wine, not just the owner of the vineyard and winery, plus the winemaker are worth knowing. We get to the heart of community when we value everyone's contributions.

I've come to find that I can learn from anyone.

No matter how old, how wise, how rich/poor, where they grew up, where they went to school...everyone has some perspective to share.

Finding out someone's name. Initiating that personal exchange. That's where it all begins. This is where community is built.

Next time you're at a winery for a tasting, ask about the people who work the vineyards and harvest the grapes. Pay attention to who washes the glasses. Who cleans the bathrooms. The details matter.

The entire time I was writing this, I had the Destiny's Child and Korma song "Say My Name" going on through my head. Now I have to listen to it.