Archive for September, 2008

Shortly after our marriage 27 years ago, my husband and I started getting together with a group of Portland friends, also young marrieds, about once every two months to share food, wine and companionship. The core developed around the men, some of whom had known each other since high school. The women became fast friends as their relationships with the guys developed into marriage. Some of the husbands took winetasting classes and started collecting wines, and this was the impetus for G.L.O.W. (Great Lovers of Wine). Over the intervening years many of us moved out of town, changed jobs and survived serious illnesses. Of necessity, our gatherings were reduced in number over the course of a year, and there were years when we were never able to all gather at one time, but the effort has always been made.

Aside from the pleasure we got from enjoying good wine and food together, we shared the arc of family life: pregnancies, births, childhood scares and triumphs, teenage challenges, college and young careers launched. Now we find ourselves gathering at our children’s weddings, celebrating certainly the joy and promise of these young people we have known literally since they were twinkles in their daddies’ eyes.

Last Saturday we reunited again to witness the marriage of another one of “our” kids. Through the course of the evening we caught up on our lives, sometimes in one large group, sometimes as just two or three, sharing advice, commiseration and congratulations, as the topic required. As we’ve found happens so often, the guys would end up at one table while the women grouped around another, but there is always an easy ebb and flow between us all. Sitting back and watching the gentle teasing and hearing the knowing laughter, I realized that these occasions are a chance for us to celebrate not just the start of a new family, but to rejoice in these relationships which have endured so much and for so long, and which continue to provide us with such a comforting sense of belonging and acceptance.

And of course, what would a reunion of G.L.O.W. be without some amazing wine? Our host, and father of the groom, generously shared some fantastic bottles which he had been saving for just such an auspicious occasion. For those out there who love great wine (and on the chance that those at the event will be reading this and will want to recall the details), here is what we drank:

 1987 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (double magnum)–closed at first, blossomed into a fine, mature Cab   

1990 Woodward Canyon Dedication Series Cab Sauv (magnum)–silky, continuous fruit

1994 Woodward Canyon Charbonneau (magnum)–Cab/Merlot blend, rivaled the best Bordeaux has to offer

1995 Canoe Ridge Merlot (magnum)–great color, lively cherry and berry flavors

1997 Woodward Canyon Old Vines Cab Sauv (magnum)–HUGE cherries, fantastic nose, just didn’t quit–the undisputed favorite of the evening

I encourage you to find the opportunity soon to reconnect with those old friends who’ve laughed, cried and loved with you through the years. L’chaim!

Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader