Alto Adige, Italy
LBC. Life Before Coronavirus. Before the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the planet, my days were a blissful swirl of wine tastings, wine seminars, winemaker interviews, and preparing for trips to wine regions. My, how things have changed. Like many of us, I am social distancing and staying at home. And that’s ok. It’s a small sacrifice to make. Unlike my friends working in hospitals, newsrooms, and grocery stores, I am not being asked to fight this virus from the frontline. We’re being asked to stay at home, a luxury that many of us used to lament was lacking in our over-scheduled lives. Let’s not mess this up.
I haven’t gone stir crazy yet from social distancing, but I do miss human interaction. Bound by the vine, the wine community is a warm one where even strangers hug and share kisses on the cheek. We sit side-by-side, often spitting wine into shared spittoons at tastings. (OK, I don’t really miss the spitting, but it is an important part of the winetasting ritual.) I can’t help but wonder how some of these norms will change once the curve is flattened. Will elbow bumps forever replace kisses on the cheek?
Secastilla vineyard, Somontano, Spain
Thanks to Facebook and WhatsApp, I’ve been able to stay connected with my winemaking friends around the globe, especially those in Spain and Italy. I worry and pray for their safety as COVID-19 wreaks havoc on their countries. My love of Italy and Spain goes far beyond the beautiful wines they produce. These two countries, where I've spent the most time abroad, have taught me priceless lessons about the importance of living life to the fullest and that as people, what binds us together is stronger than our differences. I’ve also shared virtual happy hours with my New York drinking buddies. For now, we can't huddle together over a bottle of vino at our neighborhood wine bar but clinking glasses over cyberspace is an important reminder that we’re not alone. We're socially distant but perhaps closer than ever.
As I adapt to this new reality, I’ve been struggling with the best way to continue writing about wine. It is impossible to ignore that the world is in upheaval and that many of us are scared. Honestly, for the past few weeks, I haven’t been able to pour my heart into writing long and in-depth wine stories. To do so, almost seemed frivolous as people are fighting for their lives and mourning the loss of loved ones.
But I also believe that maintaining some sense of routine during harrowing times is essential. It may seem silly, but each morning I put on earrings and lipstick. They’ve been part of my daily regimen for decades and to abandon them now would rattle me. And after a long day of watching pandemic press briefings, a glass of wine is a precious gift. I don’t know when I will stroll through vineyards again but wine keeps me connected to the soul and soil of places that I love and inspires curiosity for those I've yet to visit.
My home state of New York has deemed wine and spirits retailers as essential during this pandemic and business has been brisk - this is good for the economy here and abroad. There's no denying the importance of the wine industry to the GDP of many nations. I always encourage responsible drinking but let’s face it, wine and spirits can provide a giddy escape on these long and uncertain days. But wine’s true essentialness is found in its artistry, its expression of place, and its power to connect us. What could be more essential to our humanity?
I’ll be back soon with stories of the wines, regions, and people that mean so much to me. I appreciate them now more than ever.
Stay safe. Stay home. Stay connected.
Cheers,
Wanda
