Of grapes and wines

A humble fruiting berry by the name of ‘grape’ is grown from the woody vines of  botanical  genus Vitis, so history tells us.  Also made to understand that grapes are non-climacteric type of fruit generally occurring in clusters of 15 to 300 berries and the colors can be crimson, dark blue, pink, green, orange, black and yellow. They can be eaten raw and tastes vary from sweet to bitter and to sour. The cultivation of the domesticated grapes dates back 6000 to 8000 years ago in the near-east, while some writes that its cultivation started in the Neolithic area between 6000 and 6500 BC. From geography, we understand that China produces around 9.6 tons yearly and the figure is climbing from year to year. Its uses are numerous in berry and dried form, even its seeds, it is slso said to be rather useful and is the most important fruit crop in the world. Like its vines, believe migration was to east and more importantly northwards right up through the Rhine valley.

My perception is that we are all born and started life similar to the humble grape, while it can be cultured to the one’s own taste. The ultimate for me is to turn an ugly duckling to a beautiful white swan in all its glory. Like the grape, I believe that correct cultivation is important in its infancy to turn it into whatever color and flavor that we intend to. Regular watering, pruning, correct soil and regular ‘singing’ to it should turn the berry into our dream grape together with the right climate.

Likewise, we are today what we are, was due to the injection of tenderness and education that were lovingly or unlovingly nourished into us at a tender age while growing up.  Some remain an ugly duckling, even worst turn into a vulture when grown while some shines into a worthy person to oneself and to the world at large too. One might ask is it growing up the culprit or its ingrown personality. Got to blame it on someone or something.  Hard to say, really!

According to my research, believe there are around eighty kinds of grapes. Likewise, we humans are also made up of verity type of flavors. To start of, we can either be male or female. Then basically, white, yellow, brown or black. Just to complicate it, we can be angels the likes of Joan of Arc and Florence Nightingale or men like Dale Carnegie or Gandhi etc . etc.  But to be an ordinary (like myself) is already a great gift. Funny though, we might be able to hide our true selves for a certain period, however, with time it all shows through. As the saying goes, a leopard never changes its spots. I wonder why is that?

Seriously, while growing up, maybe like also the humble grape, should something be not right, I am sure addressing it right there and then should steer us back onto a right course. If correction be left late, we may face a spot of bother. It is said that better late than never might also help. Self assessment and correction plays a big part there. Here, I presume it is arguable. Should we look at the souls in the places of correction and the likes, maybe self assessment and correction may not be the answer, view some are returning guests, some put it nearly sixty percent returning within five years. Maybe, it’s the free lodging and daily hot meals.  One never knows. Your verdict?

However, with regard to self assessment and correction, I suppose self analogy might be a good illustration. To cut a long story short, the only boy of the three siblings, and no living parents, I was somewhat short changed in terms of will with no written evidence and unable to fend for myself with two votes to one plus the umpires were a wee bit questionable, a loosing battle which ever you look at it.  Furthermore, also a slow academic learner and marrying in my early twenties realized that unless one changes for the better, what to come of the family? That period of time in my humble life was totally in shambles.  Looking back, I was really thankful for that unpleasant phase as bells and lights rung and flashed red to better myself. Academic and professional qualifications came with time and so did my climb to better myself for my family of three. I am grateful to my better half, for her tireless toiling the soil, pruning and watering with love, tenderness and patience. I am what I am today, because of self assessment and correction. Rich? That I am not, but a little comfortable, yes! Now, in my golden years I rather leave things as they are and do not wish to glance back. Be done with, once and for all.

Sometime ago, I accompanied my wife to a high end supermarket in the name of Market Place in Yangon. Among goods on display, fruits were presented   galore there.  By the entrance, grapes under many names were advertised. Out of which, I was pleasantly surprised to see Myanmar grapes were also one of the participants.  I tried one of the Myanmar  berries, the inside flesh was moist and sweet, however the outside skin was tough, thick and bitterly sour. This was where its competition ends. The American and Australian grapes are more expensive, however, not only were they sweet in flesh with very thin skin but were also seedless. Myanmar grapes can do better with better research, toiling and or better pruning. Something is missing, for sure though. People shopping here knew things were a little more expensive than other places, but do like quality stuff. As such, buyers flock to the foreign grapes even though more expensive compared to the cheaper Myanmar tough skinned grapes. Similarly also, we cannot be just people, we have to be individuals  that are worthy to one self and to others. We cannot be self centered, selfish beings  who cannot see further than one’s eye brows. We owe it to ourselves to self improvement on our road to a successful life. Otherwise, we will be similar to the Myanmar grapes. Human beings that we are for sure, but will remain an ugly duckling compared the white swans.  Nobody really cares. Sad, really.

I have known a few such beings, living a life of a lie and the clock of success seems to have stopped for them. Alone and unwilling to change with very little friends, just trotting on for that day only. I was really sorry for them, as they hold their own reigns and they themselves have the key for the change. Success is not to mean big bucks but rather a meaningful life for themselves.   As they shy away from reality, I see no hope for them.  Some turn to drinks or outside simulations and does not live a full life, while some may live long, but not a full or meaningful life.  Any, which way, but loose.

Now, to wines. I understand that wines can be made from a variety of fermented fruits.  For the purpose of this article, we are just concentrating on Red wines made from grapes. According to my humble research, grape wines were first recorded in Georgia in the Caucuses, also about six thousand years ago. They were alcoholic and were written that first uses in religious rituals. Red wines were quite closely related to representation to blood in Egyptian period and in Greek and Roman times.  In Christianity, it was represented as the blood of Jesus. Call it what you may, and was freely consumed since the seventh century, so history tells us. Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlot, Gamay, Pinot noir etc. etc. There are so many types of red wines today.  Produced in Germany, France, Spain, America, Australia and so many, many more countries including China. Full bodied or light.

It is ashnoshing to see what the humble grape vine can produce. It reaches all over the world and should weather and soils be right, one can bet that vineyards are toiled there. Truly fascinating.  On the route from Heho to Taungyi, there are vineyards also, operated understand by a German producer. Whether it will reach the world’s tables, it is yet to be seen. Don’t think so, though !

I would say to be born without any blemish and be nurtured lovingly right up to completion of your academic qualifications would be the grape stage and entering the adulthood and marriage would be the wine stage. Both are equally important to be of full bloom.  Another odd situation is a type of person living by the sword, tit for tat and no quarters given what ever the reason maybe, and would rather also die by the sword. Not a very nice type of person by any means, but they do make good soldiers. Like the wines, it takes all sorts to make the world go round.

Grapes , wines and people are so much alike, except we have our brains to right our wrongs in life should we catch it in time, even the wines or grapes, we can shape them to a certain extent. Thus, it is important to use our grey matter to right our wrongs before its too late.  It takes so much to be a good wine. Proper aging, right temperature, correct distilling etc etc. Corking and bottling is also important, it takes so many steps to be a successful wine.  The producers will know whether their wines has made the grade or not, but the public at large would surely pass judgment about its standing and worthiness.

In our world, just like the wine, adulthood and marriage up to our dying days will be measured by our own self improvement. We can remain a few dollars wine or be a vintage and an expensive one. Mellowness, smoothness and bouquet plus other million requirements to our wellbeing can only be reached with timely and right correction.

So much like wines, we can be good while tender and turns truly bitter with age. Some wines are fun to be enjoyed and likewise we, humans are also fun loving with zest up to a certain age, however dries up with age and cannot withstand the test of time. In short, not a very good vintage.

Born into this world we are, however, making the grade is a different matter all together. Depending on where we live, the measurement of success is arguable. Making it in the middle of Zambia cannot be compared the same as having success in New York. The importance is making the grade to one’s surrounding.

This article is not the way to make pots of money and have a dashy blond by your side. It is just to tell ourselves of self improvement come what may. I understand the untouchable caste made it right up to the position of president in India. While a black man, made the grade to the highest office in the world, President of the USA. These are rather rare I admit, however, it does show we can make it if we really want. The other day, my speech therapist showed me her painting of a flying seagull with only one leg. It just reinforced my perception. If you really, really want it bad enough, it surely will.

Even though we may be brought into this world under similar conditions, like the wines, it is important to make the grade also, wherever we are. White or black, grapes or wines, it would be best to at least make the grade, at least to be true to one self.

Similar to other things in this world, a lot can be learnt from grapes and wines, which is so applicable to our lives.

A glass of Burgundy, anyone?