Bottled Poetry

does that mean it come with wine?

Well, yes it does.

Ok well, I like wine.

My expectations were low.

Well, wait, that’s not a fair statement.

Truth is, I didn’t feel like I was worthy of promoting poetry. I didn’t even know if I liked poetry. But then again, I guess I hadn’t really given poetry much thought before.

UGH, could I sound any more uncultured?!

I did a little Google peek, and I found out Edgar Allan Poe was considered a poet, and I like him, so things were eerily looking up.

So with a suggestion from my new friend Betsy, we put together Vino, Verses, and Very Fine Cheeses. Let me tell you, it was pretty damn fun. Seriously! Picture this: cool vibes, like berets and snapping fingers cool, except no one actually did that. I mean, I was kind of hoping for it and searched frantically for a beret last minute.

I mean this screams cultured.

So here's how it went down: Susan McMillan, our city’s past poet laureate, was given words that mostly described wine, and she had to pair a poem with each. She found poems from other poets, but check this out, two of the poems she created specifically for the event. And they had a little food influence, so I totally “got it”. Not only did I get it, I loved it!

Autumn did the wine pairing, and lucky me, I got to pair cheese. The chosen words were Crisp, Dark Flowery, Earthy & Fruity, and Oaky.

Now, let me tell you, Autumn totally blew me away with her creativity. I mean, for oaky she chose Breca Old Vine Garnacha from Spain. Instead of the expected Chardonnay! Genius, plus she always kills it when she pairs it with my last-minute cheese choices. The poem for oaky took us on a resonance, deep and full. Fingers ringed with gold hand age spots darkened reach one for the other. It was moving. Autumn chose that Garnacha as it took her down the path of gnarled working hands that pick grapes. It really was a beautiful and thoughtful and a fabulous pick and pairing!

Pairing: Breca Old Vine Garnacha, Bent River Camembert, Onion Balsamic Jam, Cornichones and French Baguette.

As for me, well, I went pretty literal, especially with floral. And the poem Peonies in Winter though I thought was cool, went a bit over my head. Now that I look at it, one line; among the forget-me-nots’ first tips. I’ll scatter rinse water over each blessed bit of green.

Ok, I can play here a bit. I can see my grandmother tossing out the dishwater, and though I don’t recall forget-me-nots, I remember what seemed like endless bushes of peonies and rose bushes and hidden in one bed, a Jack in the Pulpit. I didn’t go there before my cheese selection, and I don’t even know if the connection is correct, but I like it just the same. And I think I really like poetry.

She said confidently while adjusting her beret.

As I mentioned, though, for that poem, I went literal with Tea Rose. Named after Capriole Creamery’s very first goat, who also was mama goat to many descendants that produced perfect milk for these special goat cheeses. This stunning goat's milk cheese from Indiana, is coated with herbs and delicate rose petals, it's a cheese that's truly special. Perfect for spring, if you ask me. Perfect for a Rosé, and that's where Autumn went and did her magic pairing once again.

Pairing: Domaine de Carteresses Tavel Rosé. Tea Rose, Honey Comb and Salted rosemary shortbreads.

Guess what? I've got the green light to publish some of the poems here, and I’ll share the perfect pairings.

Pairing: Chateau Laurie Bergerac 100% Malbec. Parmigannio Reggiano, Stegberry Elk and Blueberry Salami, Fig Almond Jam, Six Seed Crackers.

But beyond the poetry, wine, and cheese, there's something truly magical about all Food Union’s events. Within minutes, people are chatting away, to the point where I have to practically clang my wine glass louder than needed just to get a word in edgewise about cheese!

If Carole's around, she's busy pouring wine for everyone. Terri? Oh, she's probably inviting strangers over for lasagna—yes, you heard me right, strangers she just met at the event! And then there's Michelle, always eager to lend a hand with cleanup.

“Michelle, I scold her, you are paying me to be here.”

That’s hardly a thought with anyone. Or so it seems. Lol.

At the end as I pack up, thinking Crisp may have been my favorite poem. I like crisp stuff. I’m also filled with a sense of humility. To be a part of something so special, where strangers become friends in the blink of an eye—it's truly something else. Frankly, I can’t quite explain how special this is for me. But I know this for sure, it’s a Food Union. And the idea of events was intentional, perhaps even poetry in motion.

So here's to hoping you all get a chance to experience it for yourselves. Up next? Swanky Sakes, and you better believe another poetry event is in the works for fall. And hey, maybe by then, I'll finally find that elusive beret. Cheers to that!

Gustave Lorentz Pinot Gris Reserve. Garrtoxa Aged Goat Cheese, Hazenuts, Quince Paste, Citrus Thyme Ginger Crackers.