Wine as Mother
Maternity
By G. G. Jolly
“And I drank, like a daughter,
mother's water, palm water.
And no sweetness have I drunk
with horn or with soul.”
— Gabriela Mistral
Celebrating Mother's Day is an age-old tradition in Mexican schools. Every May 10th, some witty teacher inflicts unique suffering on attendees. Children are reluctantly forced to recite the famous poem "El brindis del bohemio". Mothers, for their part, listen attentively with feigned smiles to this piece composed around 1915 by Guillermo Aguirre y Fierro.
My point, however, is to bring to the table the central theme of this space. We will analyze wine 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. She is the rooted trunk of the family vine that sustains and gives birth to the clusters from which grapes and musts will emerge.
These images were masterfully evoked by Chilean Gabriela Mistral and Argentine José Pedroni. In Pedroni's work, the pregnant woman is fertile ground. Her womb is described as a "barrel of sweet and blessed wine." Birth is the beautiful harvest: arduous but joyful work for the new fruit.
Cellar Recommendations for Mother's Day
To commemorate this May 10th, we have selected special labels. These options perfectly accompany the dearest memories of home:
1. Sundays at Grandma's House
Ideal for those family meals where wine flows unpretentiously but with a lot of history. A traditional Rioja that never fails on the table.
👉 Marqués de Riscal 1860 Tempranillo
2. Wine for Cooking (and Enjoying)
To achieve a perfect Boeuf Bourguignon, there's nothing like a French Pinot Noir. This label is best enjoyed from the pot to the glass.
👉 Barton & Guestier Pinot Noir Reserve
3. Celebration Toast
To commemorate graduations or anniversaries, this sparkling Mendoza wine, made 100% from Pinot Noir grapes, is synonymous with pure elegance.
👉 Sylvestra La Vie en Rose Bressia
4. Gatherings with Sisters and Friends
A Tuscan rosé made with Sangiovese and Syrah grapes. It is the ideal alternative for long chats and reliving great memories.
👉 Borrorosa 2023 - Michele Satta
5. Birthday Treat: Fine Riesling
A perfect option for mothers who seek subtlety. It stands out for its exotic fruity notes that evoke tangerine and ripe mango.
👉 Marcobrunn Riesling VDP GG - Germany
6. The Essential Digestif
A high-quality Galician white pomace brandy. It is excellent for settling the stomach after a prolonged family feast.
