How Europe Influenced World Through Wines

Wine drinking is seen as a European thing, but that's no surprise. When you live in a continent that has been drinking wine for centuries as part of every meal, there's no doubt that they have already established a “wine culture.” The U.K. may not be the biggest consumer of wine in Europe, but people have been known to enjoy a glass of wine every now and then, as well. You just can't get through a day in Europe without seeing a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon on the table.

From an essential drink to a staple icon of society and culture, wine lubricates social interactions, and from that, great stories were told and friendships were formed. One of the reasons why people are more inclined to chat when they have had a drink or two is that wine helps them relax. The Germans  were known to have introduced women to drinking. The French, on the other hand, tested one's masculinity by his ability to drink huge amounts of alcohol.

Soon enough, these cultural impressions have spread throughout the world. Overall, the wine has shaped the way people around the world view alcohol and the different kinds of drinkers. All it takes to get into the wonderful world of wines is one simple glass. 

Read More

Fun with Wine

It is unavoidable to think about candlelight, fancy dinners, and budding romance when one mentions wine. Wine is so romanticized in the public imagination that it has been put on a pedestal above other drinks. This doesn’t mean that wine cannot be enjoyed beyond smelling it and commenting on how crisp it is. Here are some suggestions on how to spice your wine experience up a bit:

1. Wine Pong. Who said beer pong can only be played with beer? Have a classy night—and hopefully not a clumsy one—with wine glasses instead of plastic cups. Be careful with the table, though.
2. Drunken Battleship. A Battleship board and alcohol is all that is needed (cheese and other wine complements are optional). If player one gets the coordinate wrong, he must gulp down a drink. If he gets it right, player two must drink. If a ship is sunk, the losing player must drink double the amount of the ship (a destroyer takes five coordinates, so the losing player takes 10 sips).
3. Pocky Game. Invest in the romantic capabilities of wine with this game. In the game, two players (preferably going on a date) will chomp down on different ends of a wafer stick until they kiss. The player who breaks away loses and sips more wine. Replace the wafer stick with a stick of cheese, as cheese complements wine perfectly.

Read More