Wine is surely a gift of the gods. If mankind had not been meant
to enjoy wine, then why would the gods have created Vitis vinifera
and its relatives, and why would we have been given the capacity
to extract grape juice and exploit yeast in controlled fermentations
to produce this most wonderful of beverages? Wine is an elegant
drink, and more. What may appear to be a simple glass of wine
can contain a complexity of aromas, flavours, textures and colours
encapsulating the skills of generations of winemakers developed
in many countries and on many continents. Wine is an intrinsic
part of the history of mankind, and the pursuits of viticulture and
vinification have helped to shape both cultures and societies. To
deny the value of wine to the cycle of our lives is to reveal prejudice
and ignorance, for good wine, consumed sensibly, has the power
to augment the meal, bring joy to social occasions and enhance
the quality of our lives. Yet though we may drink wine, how many of
us actually taste wine and how many do so knowledgeably?