Vinous Vignettes – Pen portraits spanning the globe

Another half-dozen pen portraits of wines, a sextet that spans the globe. Each one is a standalone treat and, when taken together, a testament to wine’s enduring attraction as the most varied, diverse and interesting of all drinks. Indeed, it is far more than simply a drink, it is also a cultural symbol, a beacon for mankind’s achievements over thousands of years – to be celebrated and cherished, especially in these troubled times. In Evelyn Waugh’s novel, “Brideshead Revisited”, Charles Ryder described wine as “my stay in many barren years”. Words to ponder today.