This is the eleventh installment of our Days of Wine and Music series. As might be expected, in this week’s entry we will introduce a Sammarinese wine, one of exceptional quality. In future entries, we will let you know more about the winemaker. [Eagle-eyed readers will have noticed that we mistakenly ran installment twelve last week. Let’s blame it on the heat wave, shall we?]
In a recently reprinted article in JAMA (July 16, 2024, Volume 332, Number 3) edited by Jennifer Reiling and entitled “Localization of Musical Centers,” it is reported that researchers “have conclusively demonstrated that the musical faculty is older than that of speech; that music is a primary and simple phenomenon, while speech is secondary and complex.” The writer goes on to state the following: “According to Darwin, wild dogs and jackals howl and learn to bark only after they have been domesticated. Their howl corresponds to song, and their barking to articulated speech.” Let us now howl and bark.
Perceptive readers will notice the electric guitar embedded in the impressive label art, so they will have surmised that the musical genre will most likely be contemporary and popular. We don’t think Bach or Beethoven was wielding a Fender Stratocaster. If you do, consider suing your high-school history/music teacher.
Note Divino Blanco 2021 is a blend of Chardonnay and Ribolla. The grape variety known as Ribolla in San Marino is actually Pignoletto, a white grape of ancient origin that is known to be refreshing and light. When blended with Chardonnay, as it is here, a harmonious marriage of sorts takes place, complexity is comingled with lightness, and the resultant beverage is, to put it in primary, howl terms—“Ah.” Astute readers will have noticed the musical qualities of the vowel. If not, consider suing your….
We’re going to do some barking now. Note Divino has floral notes—we identified honeysuckle—and some green fruit (i.e., apple), with a hint of vanilla. It is off dry with medium acidity, a medium (+) finish, gold color, and comes in at 13% ABV.
Interested readers may find out more about this splendid wine at http://www.sammarinese.org.
Drinking Japan 