Christmas Drinks, by Morrie Sinclaire

It is an inevitability of the end-of-year function. Amid casual dress, polite conversation with yearlong strangers, and an oversupply of food, there are the free drinks. It is nearly the same story at every work place or community event. A red-tinged petrol derivative and a yellowy/white-tinged petrol derivative is tipped into thin white plastic cups and served under the veil of 'wine' as a classy alternative to the old Christmas tradition of straight brandy. At least I think that was a Christmas tradition.

The problem is, as many of you reading may identify, I like wine. Not wine as a crutch to alcoholism and not the wine substitute often served at these gatherings. I mean I like wine, its intricacies in taste, and so can discern the yummy bottle from the dummy bottle, sublime from cor blime, "great!" from "mate?".

The problem is most people know this, which makes the wine on offer at end-of-year functions something of a social hurdle.

How many times have you heard the phrase "you know about wine" as a lead to the question "so what do you think about this one?". It is as diabolical as it is absolutely cunning. People always seem to conspire to corner you and make you feel at your most awkward at casual events. It's like a surprise attack.

The problem is a question of etiquette. Are you honest with your appraisal of the concoction before you, or are you polite?...

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This artcile appears courtesy of Morrie Sinclaire.