Yes Virginia There Is Such Thing As A Grape Tree

THE GRAPE TREE (2001)

I grew up in a great neighborhood;
I loved that old house on Woods Drive.
I loved each and every season that roared up and down our street,
as the pears grew outside my bedroom window,
and the grapes swelled to the size of grapefruits,
each and every Spring,
Born from my old grape tree.

I watched the sun sitting high in the sky,
And I would like beneath that grape tree
Dreaming of Star Wars,
Playing Baseball,
and writing short stories.
I dreamt of warm summer days
and lazy afternoons
As I fell into a gentle malaise of eating grapes by the handful
And letting day turn into night.

I used to hide old KISS records in a box under there
Because my mom thought they (the band) were gross,
And I used to talk to the robins
That had a home they came back to each Spring,
Nestled at the very top.

I’d climb that grape tree whenever I had the energy,
But for climbers it wasn’t much of a challenge.
It was just better to lie there
Languishing with an innocent indulgence,
Leaving troubles and turmoil far behind.

My mother would make grape jelly that was ambrosia
For my sister and I.
It helped create the ultimate peanut butter and jelly sandwich,
and fueled numerous dreams of endless adventures
And happy visions.

Sadly, we moved away when I was twelve,
The grape tree hung low in our neighbor’s yard,
and the kids up and down the block
Came and plundered its wondrous bounty.
Its limbs and leaves would no longer shade my dreaming head
And wandering eyes,
And its nectar would no longer serve to instigate my imagination.

I think of that place now that I am older,
and a grin comes across my face so many times.
(Especially now that I know that there is no such thing
as a grape tree.)
I realize that the vines were ancient
And that I could imagine Tecumseh making wine
For his people, after a battle or a hunt,
And I could envision settlers partaking of its splendor
And making celebrations of simple meals.

It makes me smile knowing that my cousin Katie
Now has the place that I once held so dear,
and has made it her own.
I don’t get back there often enough.
To be truthful, I haven’t seen that old place in nearly a decade.

But not a day goes by,
and not a drop of wine passes my lips,
without remembering that old grape tree,
and the happiest times of my youth.

Inevitably, the title of that poem morphed into the name of a wine blog – Under The Grape Tree – I championed for 6 years before it became besieged by hackers hocking male enhancement drugs (with that commercial, you know, the one with the couple in his-and-her bathtubs holding hands).

Strange the segues in life I guess…

Recently, our good friend Jay Valeiro from Vintage Wine dropped in with new friend Richard “Tal” Ambrose from Aveniu Brands to run through some of their great Spanish wines, and my mind couldn’t help but wander back to that ol’ Grape Tree:

Codorniu Brut Clasico NV.  Light, airy apple mousse with bright minerality and a touch of lemon zest.  Chardonnay plus native grapes Paralleda, Xarel-lo and Macabeo.

Ana de Codorniu Brut Blanc de Blancs NV.  Opting for a total Champagne vibe with Chardonnay making up its entirety, this is an impressive value sparkling wine.  Rich and creamy texture tethered by orchard and tropical fruit aromas and flavors, finishing clean and crisp.

Ana de Codorniu Brut Rosé NV.  Gorgeous little Chardonnay/Pinot Noir blend, creamy with strawberries and white peaches.  Pretty floral components in the nose and finishing dry.

Raimat Albariño Costers del Segre 2015.  Crisp, clean white wine with vibrant acidity, bright minerality and hints of green apples, lemon zest and white flowers.

Raimat Tempranillo Costers del Segre 2014.  Fleshy red with hints of cedar and cherries, a touch of rose petal and undercurrents of black pepper and spice.