Red Or White

Ever hear of Novinophobia? It's the fear of running out of wine! Wonderful wine: sweet nectar of the grape eases the tensions of the day, lubricates conversation of good company, lights the fires of romance, and enhances our culinary delight. They've discovered wineries over 6,000 years old, so folks have been raising a glass, or two, or three, for all of civilized human history.

What's your preference, red or white? The juice from most purple grapes is greenish-white, so red wine gets its rich ruby color from the grape skin's pigments.

In ancient days, young women would press the grapes with their bare feet. Dionysus for the Greeks -- later Bacchus for the Romans -- the god of wine, fertility, and ritual madness, was worshiped with some pretty wild parties. These days, wine still inspires some flawless dance moves and brilliant one-liners! It's fun to cook with wine; you might even put it in the food. Doctors say red wine has health benefits, or, at the very least, you shouldn't keep things bottled up. So, wine down and have another glass of red or white.

It doesn't matter if our glass is half-full or half-empty. We require more wine, and the best wines are those you drink with friends.