One of the debates in Sweden is whether young people being allowed to drink causes them to drink more heavily for the rest of their lives. The liquor stores are all state owned and very strict – you are not allowed to buy alcohol there until you are twenty. Despite that – wow, people drink a lot! If you want to read about the official Swedish attitude to alcohol, click here and especially here
I grew up in South Africa (wine country!) where my parents started offering me champagne at parties at about 13 and wine with meals at about 15. Because of this I have never really drunk alcohol at all. It was freely available and the forbidden fruit aspect was removed. I have never been drunk, never had a hangover and don’t like the taste of most alcoholic beverages except maybe apple cider.
So, I don’t drink much at all – I probably have wine once or twice a year and that is mainly because in social situations people tend to make a fuss when you refuse alcohol. All the ‘don’t be a party pooper’ comments used to make me really angry but now I have a glass of wine. And sometimes I have more than one. But I don’t have alcohol in the house or buy alcohol unless it is for guests.
However…..there is one wine that I love and always buy for guests, for gifts, for the hosts – it is Diemersfontein Coffee Pinotage. It’s a wine that tastes of coffee and I think it is delicious. I would really recommend you try it!
Some notes on it:
- Wine of Origin Wellington, South Africa. Diemersfontein. A distinct taste of coffee, chocolate plums and ripe black cherries on the nose and palate, this unique Pinotage is versatile and velvety smooth. Ideal with grilled meats, wild game dishes, chocolate desserts.
- Pinotage is a red wine grape that is almost exclusive to South Africa. Created in Stellenbosch in 1925, Pinotage is a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut.
- The wine exudes rich mocha aromas with red fruit, plum and cherries. The palate shows distinct characters of coffee and chocolate, which is balanced with smooth velvety tannins and a lingering after taste makes this wine great for every occasion.
Thank you, it sounds delicious!
I think that I am quite similar about alcohol, like yourself. My parents ran a restaurant & I remember my Dad sitting me down at the bar with a shot glass (aged 10, I think) & letting me try anything that I wanted to. As an early teenager, I was allowed something diluted with lemonade on special occasions & also found that my attitude was different because of this. I rarely drink, have never had a hangover but enjoy it when I do. I never understood school friends that would congregate in the park to share a large bottle of some cheap & nasty cider…