Wine as Mother
By G. G. Jolly
“And I drank, like a daughter,
mother's water, palm water.
And I have not drunk sweeter
with the horn nor with the soul.”
— Gabriela Mistral
A cheesy yet old tradition, whose current state of use in Mexican schools today I am unsure of, is that during festivals for Mother's Day every May 10th, some witty teacher inflicts suffering on children and mothers alike by forcing some to recite —badly and unwillingly— and others to listen —with attention and forced smiles— to "El brindis del bohemio" (The Bohemian's Toast) by the poet from Potosí, Guillermo Aguirre y Fierro, composed around 1915.
My point, however, is to bring to the table the topic of this blog, which is wine, but from a much deeper perspective than easy rhymes.
Wine and Maternal Poetry
The metaphors shared between motherhood and wine are as old as the drink itself. If milk is nourishment, wine represents shared blood and selfless sacrifice. The Mother is like the vine or the grapevine, the rooted trunk of the family vine, which supports and gives birth to the clusters from which grapes and musts will emerge.
Images masterfully evoked by the Chilean Gabriela Mistral or the Argentine José Pedroni. In Pedroni's work, the pregnant woman is fertile ground; her womb, a "barrel of sweet and blessed wine." Birth is the harvest: an arduous but joyful labor for the new fruit.
Moments with Mom: Our Cellar's Recommendations
To commemorate this May 10th, we have selected labels that accompany the most cherished memories of home:
1. Sundays at Grandma's House
For those family meals where wine flows without pretensions but with a lot of history. A reliable Rioja that never fails.
👉 Marqués de Riscal 1860 Tempranillo
2. Wine for Cooking (and Enjoying)
For a perfect Boeuf Bourguignon, nothing beats a French Pinot Noir that can be enjoyed from the pot to the glass.
👉 Barton & Guestier Pinot Noir Reserve
3. Celebration Toast
For graduations or anniversaries, this 100% Pinot Noir sparkling wine from Mendoza is pure elegance.
👉 Sylvestra La Vie en Rose Bressia
4. Gatherings with Sisters and Friends
A Tuscan rosé of Sangiovese and Syrah, ideal for long conversations and shared memories.
👉 Borrorosa 2023 - Michele Satta
5. The Birthday Indulgence: Fine Riesling
For mothers who seek subtlety and exotic fruit notes like tangerine and mango.
👉 Marcobrunn Riesling VDP GG - Germany
6. The Essential Digestif
A Galician white orujo to settle the stomach after the family feast.
