I stopped by my office at the Port Charlotte store yesterday, as I do at least once or twice every week, to see if anything important (or interesting) came in the internal company mail.  Sitting in my in-box, as it is virtually every Wednesday morning, was my weekly allotment.  I knew it was mine because each item had my name (or something closely resembling it) inscribed in black Sharpie on the outside of the package.  BTW, the Sharpie is preferred fine writing instrument of seemingly everyone sending interoffice mail in HQ these days.  I’m not sure why.  I always preferred a grease pencil or Crayola crayon.

I shuffled through the batch of large manila envelopes heaped on my desk.  Sure enough, I came across one with a familiar density to it.  I knew, without opening, it contained my monthly copy of Wine Spectator Magazine. 

As a company perk, I receive a complimentary subscription to the two essential wine trade publications: the aforementioned WS, and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.  As any wine professional will tell you, reading these periodicals cover to cover is de rigueur, akin to anyone working in the financial industry perusing the Wall Street Journal.  I also subscribe to the Wine Enthusiast, another fine publication.  But’s that’s on my nickel, so it comes via the US mail and therefor sans Sharpie scribbled envelope.

So I sat down at my desk and began leafing through the current issue, searching for any crucial tidbits.  It didn’t take me longer than 30 odd seconds before I came upon an article citing a study that moderate alcohol consumption can prevent the onset of dementia. 

Imagine that.  Here was another proof positive that imbibing is actually good for you.  Gosh, if I had a dollar for every time there was study emphasizing the healthful benefits of beer, wine or spirits.

I’m old enough to remember the dark ages where even wine, in my opinion the most noble of adult beverages, was vilified as being unhealthy.  That, of course, all changed a couple of decades ago with the now famous “French Paradox” episode on 60 Minutes which extolled the virtues of red wine and introduced America to the buzz-words Resveratrol and Flavonoid.  It also single handedly boosted sales of Merlot in the US overnight.

Now it seems that everywhere you turn, there’s a new study that wine and its splendid brethren can “cure” or “prevent” most anything that ails us including heart disease, dementia, crow’s feet, premature baldness, gingivitis, sinusitis, erectile dysfunction, stink foot, tongue fatigue etc.  (Okay, I can’t cite studies on all of these).

However, I can state with 100% certainty that a glass or two of wine can cure a hardened case of writer’s block.  In this current case, two glasses of Mazone Barolo Le Gramolere. And if you aren't getting a copy of our own ABC Fine Wine and Spirits Wine Journal in the mail, look for it at your local ABCFWS store.

(Note to self: must buy more wines from Piedmonte, Italy at ABCFWS, preferably Nebbiolo based)

(Optional: age 5 years before consuming, serve with Porcini Mushroom Risotto)

Jim Greeley, Wine Supervisor, SW Florida