Paging Mrs. Magoo
As I approach the 10th anniversary of my 40th birthday, I’ve come to accept that some things in life have remained 
the same while others have not. For example, my vision. Over the years, it’s become ever so slightly off. (Okay, I'm lying. It's bad.) It seems that not only do I now require glasses, but multi-lens specs to boot...
I finally bit the bullet and went to see an optometrist (who, sadly, confirmed the obvious). My friends were kind when they saw me for the first time donning my new eye-wear. Murph, my WFF (wine food friend), went so far as to send me a picture of yours truly wearing my glasses (one of the rar
e times that I remembered to put them on) while we were in traveling in Burgundy. Even my BF made a very sweet comment, saying that I looked like a sexy librarian. Really, guys? Because I can’t help thinking to myself, "Are these compliments sincere, or is this just everyone's way of trying to make me feel better?” You know, the same way you tell your girlfriend as it's raining buckets on her wedding day that it's good luck. Whether their compliments are genuine or not, the bottom line is that I can’t see a menu or read a wine label without them. Sooooo, whether the look becomes me or not, it doesn't matter. The fact is that I am now officially visually impaired and need them.
The real problem is n
ot so much the loss of vision but instead my awful habit of usually leaving my glasses at home. This leaves me relying on my friends (or, a la Blanche DuBois, the kindness of strangers ) to assist me when needed (which, lately, is most of time). Rewind to Friday night: I was in Hoboken, meeting with the owner of Hoboken Hothouse Home & Garden to discuss our upcoming wine event on December 1st (mark your calendars!), after which I decided to check out the wine shop next door, but couldn't. Why?
Because when I reached into my bag for my glasses, the only thing I found was an empty case for "my eyes.” No big deal, as the store was only slightly busy, and Javier, the assistant wine director, was very helpful (not to mention understanding of my plight). I told him I was “visually challenged,” and then joked of only wanting to see wines with labels in Braille.
To my surprise, he handed me a bottle of 2009 Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut. Turns out, this was the first winery to include Braille on their labels. There is a rumor that the wine producer did this for his blind girlfriend, but according to my research, it was just a great marketing ploy. Since I'm a diehard romantic, I'm going with the rumor. Another tidbit of information you may be interested to know is that M. Chapoutier's wines are bio-dynamic and affordable. This particular bottle will set you back a mere $15.
A
s for the taste? Well, it was too big, too fruity and one dimensional, sorta like Kim Kardashian. Again, not that being big and fruity is a bad thing…but when it's TOO big and TOO fruity, count me out.
I will say this for the 2009 Les Vignes de Bila- Haut, it did have a long finish...
(Would it be too much of a cheap shot if I said that
the finish was longer than Kim's marriage? I didn't think so...)
P.S.: In the near future, I will be tasting more Chapoutier wines, which I've been heartily researching. Perhaps some of his higher end bottles will deliver a wine that evolves in the glass instead of smacking you in the face.
the same while others have not. For example, my vision. Over the years, it’s become ever so slightly off. (Okay, I'm lying. It's bad.) It seems that not only do I now require glasses, but multi-lens specs to boot...I finally bit the bullet and went to see an optometrist (who, sadly, confirmed the obvious). My friends were kind when they saw me for the first time donning my new eye-wear. Murph, my WFF (wine food friend), went so far as to send me a picture of yours truly wearing my glasses (one of the rar
e times that I remembered to put them on) while we were in traveling in Burgundy. Even my BF made a very sweet comment, saying that I looked like a sexy librarian. Really, guys? Because I can’t help thinking to myself, "Are these compliments sincere, or is this just everyone's way of trying to make me feel better?” You know, the same way you tell your girlfriend as it's raining buckets on her wedding day that it's good luck. Whether their compliments are genuine or not, the bottom line is that I can’t see a menu or read a wine label without them. Sooooo, whether the look becomes me or not, it doesn't matter. The fact is that I am now officially visually impaired and need them.The real problem is n
ot so much the loss of vision but instead my awful habit of usually leaving my glasses at home. This leaves me relying on my friends (or, a la Blanche DuBois, the kindness of strangers ) to assist me when needed (which, lately, is most of time). Rewind to Friday night: I was in Hoboken, meeting with the owner of Hoboken Hothouse Home & Garden to discuss our upcoming wine event on December 1st (mark your calendars!), after which I decided to check out the wine shop next door, but couldn't. Why?Because when I reached into my bag for my glasses, the only thing I found was an empty case for "my eyes.” No big deal, as the store was only slightly busy, and Javier, the assistant wine director, was very helpful (not to mention understanding of my plight). I told him I was “visually challenged,” and then joked of only wanting to see wines with labels in Braille.
To my surprise, he handed me a bottle of 2009 Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut. Turns out, this was the first winery to include Braille on their labels. There is a rumor that the wine producer did this for his blind girlfriend, but according to my research, it was just a great marketing ploy. Since I'm a diehard romantic, I'm going with the rumor. Another tidbit of information you may be interested to know is that M. Chapoutier's wines are bio-dynamic and affordable. This particular bottle will set you back a mere $15.A
s for the taste? Well, it was too big, too fruity and one dimensional, sorta like Kim Kardashian. Again, not that being big and fruity is a bad thing…but when it's TOO big and TOO fruity, count me out.I will say this for the 2009 Les Vignes de Bila- Haut, it did have a long finish...
(Would it be too much of a cheap shot if I said that
the finish was longer than Kim's marriage? I didn't think so...)
P.S.: In the near future, I will be tasting more Chapoutier wines, which I've been heartily researching. Perhaps some of his higher end bottles will deliver a wine that evolves in the glass instead of smacking you in the face.
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