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I became a connoisseur of fine wine 55 years ago, when I was 18 years old. If you’re wondering if a kid that age could legally buy wine, the answer would be heck no. However, by virtue of my job in the beverage department at the local supermarket, I had juice to get my juice. The wine salesman was happy to bring me a case of their finest, and I would pay the wholesale price in cash. He would gladly put it into the trunk of my 67 Cougar XR7. I was hot stuff. The envy of all my friends.
And what was this fine wine that I procured illegally? No rotgut Ripple for me, no sir. It was Boones Farm Strawberry Hill, yummy. My taste soon ameliorated, and I found myself sipping Riunite on ice, that’s nice. Then came Bell’Agio, followed by Asti Spumante
Word got out that Smith could get wine, and I was soon placing orders and picking them up at the wine distributor. On one occasion the wine salesmen were involved in a sales contest. On the final day of the contest, my dealer (Chopper) was in 2nd place by a fraction of a %point. Chopper gave me a call and I took my van to the warehouse and bought about 30 cases, landing him in 1st place, with a brand new car as a prize. The other salesman, John, also an acquaintance of mine, luckily, did not hold a grudge. Some years later, John owned the busiest video store in Toledo. I bought my first VHS machine from him, and my ex-wife worked for him for several years. He did enjoy reminding me of the car I cost him.
That brings me to the other night. Our age 55 community held a wine event at the clubhouse. These days I enjoy a nice Bordeaux or Cabernet. Just a couple nice pours is all I need. Our neighborhood is still growing, and we met some great new neighbors who moved in over the summer. I’m looking forward to other community events and more new friends.
Cheers
I am not a connoisseur, but I draw the line on anything in plastic or cardboard.
We have a Parisian friend who likes her wine. When we traveled with her in France and I was paying, she always picked the wine, always. Always expensive.
When she visited us this year she brought a bottle of Chateau St Georges St Emilion 2017. All I know is I liked it. Who knows if it would meet the connoisseur standards. 🍷
Who knows if it would meet the connoisseur standards. 🍷
Well I sure don’t, I was totally kidding when I said I was a connoisseur.
My CCRC is running a series of professional wine tasting sessions in November – I was one of the first to sign up. The owner of a local wine shop used to hold educational tastings once a month, which is how I learned I don’t like Pinot Noir. If you’re looking for less well known grapes I can recommend Viognier and Torrontes. Still sticking with Zin, Syrah and Cab for reds, plus some Nero d’Avola although I prefer that in a blend. And, of course, port, although mostly LBV and ten year tawny. I should have put more in storage twenty years ago…
Sounds awesome. My wife and I love wine too. Looking forward to retirement where we can explore wine regions and sip some excellent vintages.
I grew up in Oregon with its strict, age 21 drinking age. In 1979, I moved to Rhode Island for college, then Connecticut, which had drinking ages, then, of 18. Whoa Nilly! 🙂
It’s a good thing we like Tempranillo as I’ve been told that grape thrives at warmer temperatures.
Have you ever had some?
Winston, I should point out that I’m no connoisseur. I do enjoy trying new things, and will be on the lookout for Tempranillo.
“Word got out that Smith could get wine”
This is one of the greatest things I have read on HD.
Thanks Greg, I have a few humorous stories in me. The challenge is telling them in a way that is relevant to the HumbleDollar. This story has nothing to do with money, but I think it tied in with retirement lifestyle pretty well.
I’m trying to figure out how you couldn’t buy wine at 18 years old 55 years ago, what was the age limit back then?
I was able to legally buy at 18, 45 years ago (and actually a few years earlier due to some well known liquor stores not being too worried about carding you lol)
In the UK the age limit is still 18, plus “if you’re 16 or 17 and accompanied by an adult, you can drink (but not buy) beer, wine or cider with a meal.” I don’t remember exactly, but think it might have been 17 when I was growing up in the 60s.
In Germany you can drink with a parent at 14. The idea is to teach responsibility
Oh heavens no, Dick. That’s a terrible way to teach kids to drink responsibly! It’s much better to just send them off to college and let the upper classmen provide copious amounts of alcohol while encouraging them to drink till they puke; yep, that’s the way ya do it.
That’s exactly what happened to Suzie. She’s never drank since. it’s great, never any need for cabs…or maybe it’s taxi for you guys?
The legal drinking age is 21 in Ohio. For a short period of time, Michigan allowed drinking at 18. I think the argument was if you were old enough to go to Vietnam, you ought to be able to drink.
Learn something new everyday! Our state and all the surrounding states were 18 at that time, just assumed that all the states were that way…
Ohio allowed 18 year olds to buy beer that didn’t exceed 3.2% alcohol, but that was eliminated around 1980. Of course, as you noted, there are always some retailers who don’t check IDs.
Maryland was age 18 from 1974-82.
There are a few ways wine is a fine topic — or device to open a story — on HD, beyond your fine yarn (love it):
Our intrepid Editor used to quietly nudge so many of us to write interesting and often timely pieces on great topics he’d suggest. It’s up to us to nudge each other now.
Dave, I remember telling Jonathan that I wasn’t sure that an article about the death of a friend I was submitting would be well received, or a good fit for HD. He thought that people would like it, and it turned out to be my most popular submission. https://humbledollar.com/2024/01/he-sold-staples/
My guess is that as a retired provider of professional tax services that you find some of your best stories relate to tax work that you will never get to tell.
And my guess is that you and I would have very similar stories to tell.
Dan, I think you have the ability to write about any subject and make it interesting and humorous. It’s a natural gift you are realizing later in life.
Such a good story, Dan! I remember when that came out. Would love to read another long piece like that one!
From Riunite-on-ice to a fine Cabernet…good grief man, talk about lifestyle creep!! And I hope no tax prep work happened after that fine Bordeaux lol