They walk into an un assuming office complex. The only giveaway is the massive oak wine barrel out front.
He’s been to Napa, a few wineries in NY and a family run one in the south of France: Beaumes De Venise. He enjoys wine and sharing what he knows.
She has not yet met a glass of wine she didn’t like. Red, white, blush – no discrimination.
They’ve been out a few times with friends but this is their first one on one date.
~
The sommelier has plenty of overstock – wines bottled from prior classes. Students and the paying public bottled the wine then made their own labels. What they didn’t take home was left to the winery. The sommelier tells Napa and No Discrimination that they are welcome to try what they want. No Discrimination uncorks a green bottle. The label is a cartoon ninja throwing a ninja star with the words ICE BREAKER on it.
Napa tells No Discrimination to swirl the wine and let it breathe. Then sniff it like a puppy. She does as advised. Hmm. It smells like fermented grapes. Tastes like black licorice. She also has the unmistakeable urge to use her necklace as a ninja manriki, punching him in the face with the weights (locket and feather). Whoa. Where did that come from? Napa takes a sip and dismisses the wine as bland
Napa uncorks another bottle from overstock. The label is zebra striped and has the words ‘Panty Dropper’ written in pink lace. Napa does the swirly sniff, commenting on the legs of the wine. No Discrimination tastes dog food and remembers putting underwear on when she left the house. No Discrimination eyes the sommelier and Napa, suspiciously.
~
Napa and No Discrimination try a variety of different wines: Petit Verdot, Muscat, Syrah and Viognier are their collective favorites. No Discrimination offers to teach a class called Viognier Monologues. She asks Sommelier about the oddest food and wine pairing he can come up with. Riesling and plain yellow mustard on a hot dog. The sweet from the wine compliment that tartness of the mustard. “Just try it!” he pleads.
Napa thinks it’s time to go home.
Sommelier offers No Discrimination a part time job.
